Best of Bhutan Tour - 7 Days

Today you will enter the Land of Dragon. You have options to fly from several cities to Paro. You can fly from Bangkok, Delhi, or Kathmandu to Paro. The flight to Paro is beautiful as the aircraft comes closer to Paro, we get to see snowcapped Himalayan peaks and just after entering Paro Valley the view of Paro Dzong overlooking Paro River is great to view. On our arrival at Paro, we are cordially welcomed by our representative in Bhutan who will escort you to the Bhutanese capital Thimpu in a private vehicle. the drive to Thimpu is a scenic 75 minutes drive along Thimpu Highway. On arriving at Thimpu we transfer to our hotel.

Today the real cultural tour of Bhutan begins and the best way to begin is the Bhutanese capital, Thimpu. In Thimpu, we visit Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval time fortress/monastery, which is now the Bhutanese government’s integral building holding many government offices and King’s throne. Trashichhoedzong is also the summer home of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot in Bhutan. The cultural tour of Thimpu continues to the National Library which holds a wide array of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Explore Arts and Crafts School to witness the fantastic ongoing workshops of Thanka Paintings and encounter the living traditions of Bhutan at Textile and Folk Heritage Museums before lunch. Post lunch, the sightseeing tour of Thimpu, takes you to the Handicrafts Emporium followed by a visit to Stupa of Memorial Chorten (monument built in the memory of Father of Modern Bhutan- the third king of Bhutan). After a thorough exploration of the Bhutanese capital, we drive back to the hotel in Thimpu.

After breakfast, we drive to Punakha which is a 75 km drive across Dochu La Pass 3100m. On our arrival at Punakha, we drive into our hotel in the city. Then, we set out to explore the city. Visit 17th century strategically built Punakha Dzong which survived several fires and earthquakes. The Dzong at the confluence of the Pho and Chhu Rivers is now absolutely restored. Explore the Dzong which holds significant history in this part of Bhutan. After thorough exploration of the city we drive back to our hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, we begin to drive towards Wangdiphodrang. At Wangdiphodrang we visit the Dzong and the local market. The place also highlights bamboo products, slate, and stone carvings. We have our lunch at Wangdiphodrang and head towards Gangtey. On arriving at Gangtey we drive into our hotel and freshen up. Then we set out to explore the city. Gangtey is Bhutan’s most beautiful surprise. The wide arid valley after penetrating the lush vegetation is truly the rarest experience in Bhutan. Today we explore Gangtey Monastery. At the end of the day, we drive back to our hotel in Gangtey for an overnight stay.

Today the sightseeing cultural tour of Best of Bhutan continues. We explore Gangtey. In close proximity to Gangtey Monastery, the fascinating village of Phobjhika lies. The wonderful village at the altitude of 2900m is a wonderful place to explore as we get to see a wide diversity of wildlife because the village borders Black Mountain National Park. Explore the best of Gangtey and the best of Bhutan before the journey heads towards the biggest attraction of Best of Bhutan- Paro. En route to Paro once again we stop at Do chu La Pass for the views and visit the oldest Dzong in Bhutan Simtokha Dzong. On our arrival at Paro, we are escorted into our hotel.

After breakfast, today we are going on a hike. A five-hour hike to and fro to a cliff-hanging monastery is probably the biggest highlight of the Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery is also known as Tiger’s Nest because of the myth that states the visit of Guru Rinpoche on a Tiger back nestles on a cliff that hangs 90m above Paro. We hike up to the monastery, explore around and hike back down to Paro for the lunch.

Post lunch, we visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. The monument was originally a Watch Tower. However, since 1967 it is a National Museum holding a huge collection of arts, artifacts, thangkas, and postal stamps. The final destination of the entire Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan is Ripung Dzong which also has a long significant history in Bhutan. Overnight in a hotel at Paro. Originally built as Watch Tower in 1967 it is acting as the National Museum of the country and holds a fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings, and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history. Overnight in a hotel at Paro.

Our representative will drive you to Paro International Airport on time so that you board a plane to your onward destination on time. Have a safe flight home and travel with Access Nepal.