Bhutan Discovery Tour

Jen Pa Ley Sho (welcome) to the Land of Thunder Dragon. After landing at Paro International Airport, finish with your airport formalities and baggage collection. Outside the airport, your guide will be waiting for you; after meeting them, they will drive you to your hotel in Thimphu. 

On the way to Thimphu, visit Tachogang Lhakhang, a serene monastery situated besides the Wang Chu River. To access the historic site, you will need to cross an ancient iron bridge. Explore the century-old iron chain bridge covered in colourful prayer flags. Take some pictures and get fascinated by looking at the landscape seen from there. After visiting Tachogang Lhakhang, drive towards your hotel in Thimphu and check-in, rest for a while, and get ready for another great site to explore.

In the evening, visit the most admired Tashichho Dzong. This building is an attraction site and an important political capital building. In the evening, the whole building is lit with beautiful lights. The base of the building shines like snow, and the top of the building is lit with an iconic red colour. You will see the true beauty of the building along with the pretty ambience. 

Meals: Lunch and Dinner Included. 

After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and drive towards Kuensel Phodrang, also known as the Buddha's Point, in Thimphu. Overlooking the celestial backdrop of Thimphu Valley, which is one of the iconic valleys of this country, Bhutan. In Buddha’s Point, you will find a giant figure of the Great Buddha Dordenma, which is one of the biggest statues of a sitting Buddha in the world.

Note: If you like adventure, you can cycle from Kuensel to Changangkha in Thimphu. This picturesque route lets you experience the valley's beauty. The well-maintained trail offers amazing views and a fun ride. You'll get two hours to enjoy the stunning countryside throughout your bike journey. You can walk or cycle, but keep in mind that this is an optional activity. 

Explore the National Memorial Chorten built in the loving memory of the third Dragon King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Here you get to see a beautiful circumambulation ritual around the Chorten. The warmth from all the butter lamps lit in honour of the deceased will melt your heart. The next stop is Motithang Takin Preserve. The area is a forested preserve that mimics the Takin’s natural habitat. Here you will see the national animal of Bhutan free in its natural habitat. If you want to watch Takin up close, visit the preserve at feeding time when the takings are close to the fence. The preserve allows you to see these animals and also get a panoramic view of the nearby valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

Once you've enjoyed a hearty breakfast at your hotel, prepare yourself for an incredible day filled with stunning beauty, fascinating history, and beautiful panoramas on the way to Punakha. Thimphu to Punakha by drive is approximately 74 km and takes around 2.5 hours. The first stop is DochuLa Pass (3,100 m), where you will stop for some time and explore the pass. DochuLa is a small pass where there is a collection of 108 memorial chorten in honour of the late soldiers who were killed in the December 2003 battle against Assamese insurgents from India. Besides having a deep history, this place also provides exquisite views of the snow-laden Himalayas, followed by the green valleys. After a quick tea break at Dochula Pass, continue the drive to Punakha. Once you arrive in Punakha, please check in at the hotel and prepare yourself for an amazing day of sightseeing. 

The first destination you will be visiting is the Punakha Dzong, which is the second-largest and oldest landmark in Bhutan. It takes around 3 hours to drive from Thimphu city. This majestic building lies between the two main rivers, Mo Chhu (Female) and Pho Chhu (Male). In the spring season, this place looks out of this world with all the flowering trees around the landmark. After that, you will have the opportunity to explore Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Fertility Temple. After finishing sightseeing, return to your respective hotel, fill your tummy with delicious food, and rest well for tomorrow. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

Today you will explore some mesmerising landmarks in Bhutan and soak in their beauty and rich history. Before you start your day, have a delicious breakfast at your hotel. The distance between Trongsa and Chendebji Chorten is just 40 km, which will take around 1 hour to reach by drive. Trongsa is one of several districts in Bhutan that houses one of the largest Dzong fortresses in Bhutan, which is one of the major attractions here.

Explore the Chendebji Chorten, a beautiful stupa similar to one of Nepal’s prominent Buddhist monuments. If you've been to Nepal, you will notice that Chendebji Chorten kind of looks like a miniature of Boudhanath Stupa. Your guide will explain the historical and religious importance of the monuments, which will draw your attention. Have pictures with historic dropbacks for memories for the days to come. After witnessing the beauty, have lunch at the restaurant chosen by your guide and relax a bit. 

Later, visit Trongsa Dzong, which is one of the most glorious landmarks in Bhutan. The architect will make you fall in love with Bhutan and its culture. You will see small details once you enter the Dzong. Not only will you see beauty, but you will also get a stunning valley view. If you visit this place during the festive season, you will get to see the true culture and amazing festival rituals while on the premises. Return to your hotel just in time for dinner, get refreshed, and rest for yet another exciting day in Bhutan. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

Have your warm breakfast with a cup of tea and get ready to explore other parts of Bhutan. (Distance between Trongsa and Gangtey 76 km/2hr 10m) Today, you will visit some of the most striking locations to witness their beauty and charm. Start your day by visiting Trongsa Dzong, which is one of the most glorious landmarks in Bhutan. The architect will make you fall in love with Bhutan and its culture. You will see small details once you enter the Dzong. Not only will you see beauty, but you will also get a stunning valley view. If you visit this place during the festive season, you will get to see the true culture and amazing festival rituals while on the premises.Then visit Gangtey Goemba, located on the top of a hill, which provides a gorgeous view of the following valley. The monastery complex will blow your mind with its intricate and dramatic architecture. 

Next is Phobjikha Valley, which is a vast U-shaped valley in the centre of Bhutan. The valley houses one of the most impressive monasteries as well, which you just visited. The green valley will place your heart and eyes in its pristine environment. You can even meditate in a tranquil place and end your day with loads of memories and a lifetime experience. Also, you might get to see Black Necked Crane if lucky, and do visit the crane information centre. If you visit Bhutan in November, you will get to see these beautiful creatures right in front of your eyes. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

Wake up and refresh yourself with a cup of tea, have a delicious breakfast, and get ready to explore Paro. After checking out of the hotel, you will drive towards Paro, which is 167 km from Gangtey and takes around 5 hours. Once you reach Paro, have lunch, visit Simtokha Dzong, and soak in another culturally immersive day in Bhutan. This Dzong mainly serves as an institute of language and culture studies and houses several sculptures and traditional paintings of various religious figures and deities. Relax and learn about the history and culture related to it, and go back to your hotel for some rest. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

A trip to Bhutan is incomplete without a visit to the most iconic monastery in the world, Taktsang Monastery (3,120 m), most commonly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. You will have an early morning breakfast, stretch your legs, and get ready for a short hike. Your guide will accompany you as you drive to the hiking location and start your day hike. This hike is challenging and is the main reason that it protects this unbelievable attraction from being congested. Once you've passed the dense forest, you will get a fantastic glimpse of the shiny monastery, somehow aggressively pressed on the wall over the valley floor. Take a tour of the building inside and out, along with a panoramic view of the Paro Valley. This quiet spot was used as a meditation cave in the 8th century and later as a monastery in the 17th century. 

After the hike, pay a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, which is a twin temple and also one of the oldest temples built in the 7th century. It is located a few kilometres from Tiger’s Nest Monastery’s hike start point. This place is also known for its mysterious orange tree that bears oranges throughout the year. After that, pay a visit to Rinpung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong. This majestic structure might intimidate you at first, but once you are inside the premises, you will see nothing but pure beauty and experience inner tranquility. You will be provided with all the information, including the history and its significance, by your guide. This evening, savour your free time at the pub, visit the local markets of Bhutan, and enjoy your time collecting souvenirs and memories in the hypnotic streets of Bhutan. Or just relax and enjoy the hot stone bath, as it is the most popular and admired thing to do before you leave this mysterious country. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included.

Today is the final day of your trip to Bhutan. You will be free until your flight time. Our local representative will drop you off at Paro International Airport 3 hours before your flight. Carry loads of souvenirs, memories, and lifetime experiences back home, and Have a safe home return! We hope you enjoyed the trip! If you decide to stay longer, we at Altitude Himalaya will do everything we can to make your stay unique and fun. 

Meal: Breakfast Included.