Highlights of Western and Central Bhutan with Tsechu Festivals

Flights to Paro (altitude 7,380 feet, or 2,250 meters) arrive from Kathmandu or Bangkok or Delhi. Please allow at least one night in those cities before and after your trip to ensure a safe connection with flights to and from Bhutan. Please arrange your international airfare to the gateway city; Far & High will book the onward flight for you. Your Bhutan visa is part of the tour. We will email it to you in advance, as you’ll need it at check-in for your flight to Bhutan and again upon arrival at the Paro airport, where your passport will get its final visa seal. After completing immigration and customs formalities, your guide and driver will meet you outside the terminal and transfer you to a restaurant in the town for lunch.

After lunch, your guide will lead explorations of Paro. We begin from the National Museum housed at Ta Dzong, which served as a watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong (a dzong is a fortress and a religious and social center). The museum has a beautiful collection of books, murals, Bhutanese textiles, crafts, weapons, olden utensils, stuffed animals, and a rich philatelic collection. From here, we descend to Rinpung Dzong, which is the district headquarters and also the seat of the district's religious body.

Now, we proceed on an hour-long scenic drive to Thimphu with a stop for a short walk at the 13th-century temple of Tamchog Lakhang which was built by the famous Tibetan iron-bridge builder Thangthong Gyalpo – architect, physician, teacher, and a saint! The temple is owned and maintained by his descendants.

In Thimphu, we’ll have time to settle in and take some rest before a walking tour of the tiny city. Thimphu is probably the only capital in the world without any traffic lights! We will leisurely take a stroll and visit the memorial Chorten (shrine) of the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, and whatever else time and our interest allow.

After breakfast, we are off for sightseeing and hiking. We have a lot to see today! Depending on your interest, pace and available time, we may or may not visit all the sights listed below. We first visit the weekend market of Thimphu, if we are here during the weekend. Farmers from the neighboring villages come to sell their fresh produce. We will also visit the archery field to see the national sports of Bhutan.

Next, we can visit the National Institute Zorig Chusum that offers a six-year course on Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts, including painting, wood carving, embroidery, and statue making. Then we can head to the Folk Heritage Museum, a three-story mud and timber building that replicates a century-old traditional farmhouse that gives us a glimpse of not only the lives of ancient Bhutanese people, but also many rural people even today.

Next, we can visit the Takin Sanctuary. Takin – a kind of sheep by way of antelope — are the National animals of Bhutan and believed to exist only in Bhutan Himalaya. On the way back, stop at the Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, home to 40-60 Buddhist nuns.

We can visit the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center, which produces traditional hand-woven textiles and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. Here, you can see the local women working their looms. 

Next, visit the Changangkha Temple, one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th Century. The temple houses Chenrizig (Avolokitesawara), an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation as the central statue. 

In the afternoon, we can visit the World’s Largest Buddha Image — Buddha Dordenma, situated atop a hill overlooking the Thimphu Valley-the latest addition to Thimphu's attractions. This massive 169 feet tall image has a three-story base that houses a large chapel, while the body itself contains 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. 

An option: hiking enthusiasts keen to experience monastic lives away from the crowds of town can take a half-day hike to Tango Goemba monastery. You’ll miss some sights listed above, though; Tango Goema Monastery is Bhutan's highest learning center for Buddhist studies. All Je Khenpo, the religious head of Bhutan, must complete a nine-year program here, including a three-year, three-month, three-day course in mediation at the nearby Cheri Goemba Monastery! With luck, the monks will be in recess, and we can join them for tea. (Note: on a group tour, there must be a unanimous decision to take this hike.)

(85 miles, 6 hours).

After an early breakfast, we leave for Phobjhikha Valley.

As we leave Thimphu behind, the road gradually winds up through villages and pine forests to Dochula Pass (3100m/10168 ft.), marked by 108 Buddhist shrines, flickering with sacred prayers flags offered by the Buddhist devotees. On a clear day, the pass provides a superb panorama of the snow-capped mountains and the valleys.

From the pass, the road drops slowly through the changing vegetation to the sub-tropical lowlands of the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. In about 2 and a half hours, we will arrive in Punakha where we will stop for lunch.

We cross Lawala Pass and continue on the winding road down to the glacial valley of Phobjikha on the slopes of Black Mountains. Phobjikha is also referred to as Gangtey, after the Goemba here.

If time allows, we will visit the monastery, or we will return here the following day.

Today, we first visit the prominent Gangtey Gompa of the early 17th Century. It is the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region. From here, we jump on the Gangtey Nature Trail for an easy hike through the pine forest and the valley. The walk ends over the meandering Chhu Nap (Black River) near Khewang village. Here we will be picked up by transport.

If we wish for a more extended hiking option, here are some recommended hiking trails: Shasi La Nature Trail (3-4 hours, moderate), Longtey Hike (4 hours, medium) and Gogona Hike (6-7 hours, strenuous). Discuss these options with your guide and choose the option that best interests you. 

A stunning day today, covering 188 km or 117.5 miles over 7 hours! We backtrack to the main road and head to the east, gradually climbing the Black Mountain Range and then we crosse Pele-la pass (10,824 feet, or 3,300 meters) where we stop for the panoramic views of Mount Jhomolhari on the border with Tibet. Below is Trongsa, hometown of the present rulers of Bhutan. At the Chendebji chorten, note the large white monument, which is said to have concealed the remnants of an evil spirit that was vanquished here.

We will have our lunch stop in Trongsa and enjoy meal gazing over the striking Trongsa Dzong. From Trongsa, the road climbs to the Youtongla pass (11,234 feet, or 3,425 meters) and then descends to Chume, the first of the four Bumthang valleys. Zugney Village here is home to the Yathra workshops, where they make deep-colored wool textiles in a pattern typical to these parts of the country.

Check into your accommodation and balance of the day is at leisure.

Bumthang Valley-referred as the cultural heart of Bhutan is a place of stories. We start with the Jambay Lhakhang Temple, which was built in the 7th Century by the King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Legend has it that this was one of 108 temples he built miraculously in a single night in Tibet and neighboring countries. The next stop – Kurjey Lakhang Temple – also has a story: Kurjey means “body imprint,” and it's built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated and, yes, left his body imprint. 
From here, we take a short walk (30 minutes), crossing a suspension bridge to visit the Tamshing or Tamzhing Monastery, the essential Nyingma monastery of the region, founded by the great Nyingma guru Pemalingpa. Another brief walk will bring us to Kenchosum Lhakhang, probably the region’s most beautiful monastery. The original temple dates back to the 9th Century, but the current one was entirely rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire in 2010. 

Then, a cultural shift. We will meet our driver here for a ride to Panda Brewery and the Swiss cheese factory, founded by a Swiss man in 1960s. Prior appointment is necessary. Later, we can take a relaxed stroll in the Chamkhar, a bustling one-street town with a goldsmith, tailors, several butchers, cafes, and handicraft stores.

If time permits and you are interested, you can visit Jakar Dzong that overlooks the town.

Today, our guide and driver take us on a scenic drive to Ura Valley, with charming villages and a spectacular landscape. The valley of Ura is believed to be the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. 

Ura Valley sees very few foreign tourists. We enjoy views of snow-capped mountains along the way. After about two hours, we can stop in the high mountain pass of Serthangla and begin our hiking, which is mostly downhill through the alpine vegetation. Amidst lush vegetation and beautiful wildflowers along the way, you might see horses and cattle grazing. The trail opens into a broad, serene valley with picturesque houses. It takes about one hour from the pass to get to the main village. We can leisurely take a stroll and visit the Ura Temple that dominates the landscape. We’ll look for the monks inside the temple in prayer, and also the community kitchen where the villagers take turns cooking for the monks and pilgrims visiting the temple. 

We can meander on the narrow cobbled street around the medieval village. It has a cluster of 50 whitewashed houses that are typical in the countryside. We hope to visit one of them. As the villagers are dependent on livestock breeding and farming, the houses are designed to accommodate them. In the middle of the village is a small flour mill where the villagers grind the wheat, rice, or millet that they harvest. If time allows, we can also visit the village school. We will eventually take our van ride back to Jakar, which takes about three hours with occasional stops on the way for photography.

After breakfast, we leave for a three-hour drive to Trongsa, the ancestral home town of Bhutan's monarchy. We’ll stop in a roadside town of Zugney to see the yathra workshop. Yathra is the name of locally produced hand-woven woolen cloth. Distinctive patterns and bright, earthy colors enliven the fabric, which is used for a wide variety of purposes and sought after throughout Bhutan. We will also see the vegetable dye techniques on wool.

We will then head for a breathtaking highway and cross Yutong La Pass (11, 234 feet) before we descend into Trongsa. We stop here to visit the majestic fortress of Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. It is an architectural wonder built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, in 1648. It is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Views from here are extensive, creating the strategic location of this Dzong. 

After lunch in a local restaurant, we hike the historic route that adds to the experience of travelers to Trongsa. The trail goes through the steep and dense forest with a variety of fauna and flora. A short stop at the traditional cantilever bridge for photographs would be a memorable experience. 

The hike lasts about ninety minutes or two hours and finishes nearby our hotel. You can do this hike in reverse direction as well. We do not recommend this hike after mid-afternoon.

This morning we take a scenic, four-hour drive to Punakha, the former winter capital of Bhutan. We cross the Lowa La Pass and rejoin the main highway, leading to Punakha.

Settled into your room and re-energized after lunch, visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, probably the most impressive of all the Dzong (fortress) architectures of Bhutan. It has served as the winter capital of Bhutan, and even today the chief abbot moves there from his base at Trasichoe Dzong in Thimphu. Next, we proceed for a pleasant hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – about 45-60 minutes up, but only 30 minutes down. The temple sits atop a beautiful hillock overlooking the valley. Built by the Queen Mother, it is an example of Bhutan's beautiful traditional architecture.

If you wish, you can experience a rafting trip down Mochu River (Grade III) and enjoy the Himalayan white waters, nature and aquatic birdlife. ($ 150 for a group of six persons). 

Later, we can take a leisurely stroll in the town.

A short and easy hike that you don't want to miss is Chime Lhakhang. It's less than 15 minutes from the main road, and the trail goes through paddy fields and villages. The houses here show phallic arts on the walls and doors! You might even see the door handles or knobs carved out in the shape of a phallus! Ask your guide why. The temple is nick-named as 'Fertility Temple,' and it's associated with the Lama Drukpa Kuenley who is famous as the Divine Madman!

Now, we retrace our drive across Dhochula Pass to Paro. Shortly before the pass, we can stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden that preserves the rich fauna including Rhododendron flowers. After a lunch stop in the Dhochula pass, we will continue to Paro.

The balance of the day is at leisure.

Today is a big day! Takstang Monastery – the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan’s most famous pilgrimage. Perched dramatically on the edge of a 2,000-foot cliff above the valley, Tiger's Nest is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan and a forever-memorable destination for anyone who makes the trip. The round trip is about four hours. It is possible to ride a pony up to the two-thirds of the trail, but not on the upper path, or on the way down.

On the way back to Paro, we will detour to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 16th Century monastery built to mark the Bhutanese victory over Tibetan invaders, and also the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang Temple – another of the 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo of Tibet built in a single night in the 7th century!

Optional Hot Stone Bath:
With advance notice, you can experience a traditional Hot Stone Bath in a farmhouse. Hot stone bath is a conventional Bhutanese method of curing skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorders, arthritis, and many other diseases. Even if you don’t have any of these issues, it’s a wonderfully relaxing experience, especially after a strenuous hike. It costs approximately $25 per person.

After breakfast, we are transferred in time for flight to your next destination.