Comprehensive Bhutan
12 days - Delhi, Thimphu, Gangtey, Bumthang, Punakha, Paro
12 days - Delhi, Thimphu, Gangtey, Bumthang, Punakha, Paro
Discover the treasures of Bhutan on this in-depth journey through the kingdom. Thimphu was declared capital by the king in 1961, and is Bhutan’s largest city. Ancient traditions bump elbows with modernity here, all in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with interesting attractions in and around the city. Of interesting note, Thimphu is the only capital in the world with no traffic lights. Gangtey is base to explore the Phobjikha Valley, famous for the graceful black-necked cranes the Bhutanese treasure. Each November a festival is held to welcome the cranes after their arrival from the Tibetan Plateau. The Bumthang District is the general name given to the combination of four valleys - Chumey, Jakar, Tang, and Ura, and is home to many ancient temples and monasteries. The former capital, Punakha, lies some 45 miles from Thimphu, and the fertile valley here is fed by the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. The majestic and ancient fortress, Punakha Dzong, lies at the confluence of the two rivers, and is the town’s most important and photographed attraction. We finish by exploring Paro and its environs. Nestled in one of the Bhutan’s most beautiful valleys, Paro is a charming and historic town. It is home to several fortresses and sacred sites, but the highlight is surely the magnificent Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Precariously perched atop a cliff, it is a must-see for all visitors.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Delhi. Arrive at Delhi's Indira Ganghi International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu. Fly to Paro, crossing over the great Himalayas and some of the world’s highest glacial peaks. Upon arrival complete the journey by road to Thimphu, the capital city. (breakfast, dinner).
Day 3: Thimphu. Explore the sights of the capital today. Visits include the National Library, housing a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts; and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (painting school), where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Other sights today are the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, National Memorial Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, and Tashichhoedzong, housing the throne room of the King. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4: Gangtey. Depart by road to Phobjikha Valley, or Gangtey Valley, home to Bhutan's graceful black-necked cranes. The glacial U-shaped valley is named after the great Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region. In the evening visit the monastery, and take a walk around the village. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 5: Bumthang. This morning explore Phobjikha Valley. The black-necked cranes visit central Bhutan to roost from late October to mid-February, and magically circle the monastery three times upon arrival and again upon departure to Tibet. The cranes are strictly protected by the Bhutanese government, and a conservation center was established in 2003. In the afternoon proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 6: Bumthang. Touring Bumthang District this morning visit Kurje Lhakhang, a sacred monastery and final resting place of Bhutan's first three kings. Guru Padmasambhava is said to have subdued evil spirits here, and the middle of the three temples is built on the site of a cave containing an imprint of his body. Also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 8th century and one of Bhutan's oldest buddhist landmarks; Tamshing Lhakhang, housing some of Bhutan's oldest wall paintings, and Jakar Dzong, located on a picturesque ridge overlooking Chokhor Valley. In the evening stroll around the town and visit some of the local handicraft shops. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7: Punakha. Explore Bumthang Valley this morning before driving to Punakha, former capital of Bhutan until 1955. En route visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, stretched along the hilltop above the confluence of Punakha Chhu and Tang Chhu rivers. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 8: Punakha. Blessed with a temperate climate, Phunakha lies in the country’s most fertile valley. This morning visit Punakha Dzong, a majestic structure built at the junction of two rivers. The second dzong to be built in Bhutan, it was here that Bhutan’s first king was crowned in 1907. This afternoon enjoy some free time, perhaps visiting the local market to see the life of the local people. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 9: Paro. Depart by road for Paro, en route visiting Simtokha Dzong, home of the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. There are more than 300 finely worked slate carvings that appear behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard here. In Paro this afternoon visit Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower it now houses the National Museum; and Rinpung Dzong, translated as "fortress on a heap of jewels," it was used to defend Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 10: Paro. A highlight of any visit to Bhutan is a trekking excursion to the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The iconic and much-photographed monastery is built atop a cliff and offers amazing views of the Paro Valley below. The dramatic viewpoint for the monastery comes roughly at the cafeteria located midway through the trek. Most visitors walk in both directions, although horses are available to take you up to the monastery. Back in town this afternoon see Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery now in ruins. This evening visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 11: Delhi. Return to Delhi by flight today. (breakfast, dinner).
Day 12: Depart Delhi. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Ten breakfasts, eight lunches, and ten dinners.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $5,490.
Day 1: Delhi. Arrive at Delhi's Indira Ganghi International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu. Fly to Paro, crossing over the great Himalayas and some of the world’s highest glacial peaks. Upon arrival complete the journey by road to Thimphu, the capital city. (breakfast, dinner).
Day 3: Thimphu. Explore the sights of the capital today. Visits include the National Library, housing a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts; and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (painting school), where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Other sights today are the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, National Memorial Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, and Tashichhoedzong, housing the throne room of the King. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 4: Gangtey. Depart by road to Phobjikha Valley, or Gangtey Valley, home to Bhutan's graceful black-necked cranes. The glacial U-shaped valley is named after the great Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region. In the evening visit the monastery, and take a walk around the village. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 5: Bumthang. This morning explore Phobjikha Valley. The black-necked cranes visit central Bhutan to roost from late October to mid-February, and magically circle the monastery three times upon arrival and again upon departure to Tibet. The cranes are strictly protected by the Bhutanese government, and a conservation center was established in 2003. In the afternoon proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 6: Bumthang. Touring Bumthang District this morning visit Kurje Lhakhang, a sacred monastery and final resting place of Bhutan's first three kings. Guru Padmasambhava is said to have subdued evil spirits here, and the middle of the three temples is built on the site of a cave containing an imprint of his body. Also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 8th century and one of Bhutan's oldest buddhist landmarks; Tamshing Lhakhang, housing some of Bhutan's oldest wall paintings, and Jakar Dzong, located on a picturesque ridge overlooking Chokhor Valley. In the evening stroll around the town and visit some of the local handicraft shops. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7: Punakha. Explore Bumthang Valley this morning before driving to Punakha, former capital of Bhutan until 1955. En route visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, stretched along the hilltop above the confluence of Punakha Chhu and Tang Chhu rivers. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 8: Punakha. Blessed with a temperate climate, Phunakha lies in the country’s most fertile valley. This morning visit Punakha Dzong, a majestic structure built at the junction of two rivers. The second dzong to be built in Bhutan, it was here that Bhutan’s first king was crowned in 1907. This afternoon enjoy some free time, perhaps visiting the local market to see the life of the local people. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 9: Paro. Depart by road for Paro, en route visiting Simtokha Dzong, home of the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. There are more than 300 finely worked slate carvings that appear behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard here. In Paro this afternoon visit Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower it now houses the National Museum; and Rinpung Dzong, translated as "fortress on a heap of jewels," it was used to defend Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 10: Paro. A highlight of any visit to Bhutan is a trekking excursion to the legendary Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The iconic and much-photographed monastery is built atop a cliff and offers amazing views of the Paro Valley below. The dramatic viewpoint for the monastery comes roughly at the cafeteria located midway through the trek. Most visitors walk in both directions, although horses are available to take you up to the monastery. Back in town this afternoon see Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery now in ruins. This evening visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 11: Delhi. Return to Delhi by flight today. (breakfast, dinner).
Day 12: Depart Delhi. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Ten breakfasts, eight lunches, and ten dinners.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $5,490.
Our deluxe Bhutan tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
