Classical Bhutan Tour
Classical Bhutan Tour
Duration : 14 Days / 13 Nights
Destinations : New Delhi – Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Wangdiphodrang – Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang – Mongar – Trashigang – Samdrupjongkhar – Guwahati – New Delhi
Bhutan tour will take us to the main monasteries and pilgrimage sites of Bhutan, as well as to the areas of natural splendour in this mountain kingdom. In this tour you will explore the fantastic beauty and mystical sites of the Bumthang Valley. Bumthang valley is one of Bhutan’s most extraordinary regions. By visiting these cities the visitor also get impressed with the intensity of the Buddhist legends associated with the area
Day 01: New Delhi
Around midnight arrival in New Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: New Delhi – Paro (By Air)
In the morning we drive to the airport for the flight to Paro. This beautiful valley with its rich terraced farmland, is home to some of the Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Paro. In the afternoon we will visit the Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong means the fortress on a heap of jewels. This fortress now houses the Paro monastic school and the office of the civil administration. Then we visit the National Museum. After the visit of the National museum we go for an excursion to Taktstang monastery. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of Taktstang Monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the valley floor. It is also known as ‘tiger’s den’ because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the eighth century.
Day 03: Paro
In the morning we will visit the Ta Dzong. Looking down upon the Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong which was built in 1651 as a watch tower. This dzong is round more like parts of an European castle. In the afternoon we visit the Drugyal Dzong. It means the victorious fortress which was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage into the Paro valley, the dzong helped to rebel various invasions through the course of Bhutanese history. Evening free for leisure.
Day 04: Paro – Thimphu (about 65 km)
After breakfast drive to Thimphu. Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan. It lies at an elevation of 2300 m in a valley traversed by the Wang Chu river. This city maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. It is a home to civil servants, expatriates and the central monk body. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Thimphu. In the afternoon set out on sightseeing tour of Thimphu. First of all we visit the Tashichho Dzong on the bank of the river. It is the main Secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan and is also the summer residence of the central monk body. After visiting the Secretariat building we visit the national library to see the rare and precious collection of Buddhism. In the evening we visit the Memorial Chorten. Memorial Chorten is a stupa and was built in 1974 in the memory of the late third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The paintings and images inside the monument provide a rare sight into the Buddhist philosophy.
Day 05: Thimphu
In the morning we visit the 17th century Simtokha Dzong. It is the oldest Dzong in the country which stands on a lofty ridge at the end of the valley. It was built in the year 1627 and now houses the school for Buddhist studies. Today we also visit a painting school. In this painting school the young children learn the ancient art of paintings. After visiting the painting school we visit the centre of traditional medicines. Bhutan has its own brand of Himalayan herbal medicines.
Day 06: Thimphu – Punakha (about 75 km)
In the morning we drive to Punakha. Punakha was built between two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung and served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Bhutan is still the winter residence of the central monk body. Punakha’s climate and warmer temperatures make its valley one of the most fertile in Bhutan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Punakha. In the evening visit the Punakha town.
Day 07: Punakha – Wangdiphodrang – Gangtey – Trongsa (about 147 km)
In the morning we will drive to Wangdiphodrang. It is the last town on the central highway before entering central Bhutan. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong is the town’s most visible feature built during the 17th century. It played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern Bhutanese districts. After visiting the Wangdiphodrang Dzong and having lunch there we drive to visit Gangtey Gompa. This monastery follows the Pelling Nyingmapa sect of school and was built in the 16th century. Then we drive to the Phobjikha valley. This place is home to the endangered black necked cranes, which migrate from Tibetan plateau in the winter. After visiting this we drive to Trongsa. Trongsa is situated at an altitude of 2200 m. and forms the central hub of the nation. It is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country were launched. In the evening arrive in Trongsa.
Day 08: Trongsa – Bumthang (about 68 km)
After breakfast visit the Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong was built in 1648 as an impregnable fortress. The massive structure is built on many levels into the side of the hill that includes various courtyards, passage ways and temples. Above the Trongsa Dzong is the Ta Dzong (Watchtower). It was built to watch out for invaders and travellers. After lunch drive to Bumthang valley. To the east of Trongsa lies the Bumthang valley at an altitude of 2600 m. It is comprised of four smaller valleys. In the evening arrive in Bumthang valley.
Day 09: Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang
In the morning we drive to Ura Valley. This valley lies in the east of Bumthang and has a small village. A small but old dzong gives the village a medieval feel. There visit the Ura Lhakhang and after lunch drive through the picturesque valley of Bumthang to view Kurje Lhakhang. It consists of three temples. These temples are surrounded by 108 stupa wall which symbolises each joint of the human body.
Day 10: Bumthang – Mongar (about 195 km)
After breakfast drive to Mongar across the Thrumshingla pass. Mongar Dzong is modern as compared to other regions. This town was reconstructed by the order of the king. In Mongar we visit the Dzong. A visit to this dzong gives the visitor an impression on how the traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries.
Day 11: Mongar – Trashigang (about 90 km)
Today we drive to Trashigang. Trashigang lies above the Gumri river and is the largest district in Bhutan. The 17th century Dzong is built on top of a cliff and serves as an administrative centre.
Day 12: Trashigang – Samdrupjongkhar (about 180 km)
Today we drive to Samdrupjongkhar. It is a border town in the southern east Bhutan. This town acts as a commercial hub and entry and exit point in the south east. Overnight stay in Samdrupjongkhar.
Day 13: Samdrupjongkhar – Guwahati (about 110 km) – New Delhi (by air)
In the morning drive to Guwahati. After a journey for 3 to 4 hours we reach Guwahati. In the afternoon we drive to the airport for the flight to New Delhi. In the evening arrive in New Delhi. Rooms are available to get refresh before departing for the airport. After dinner we leave the hotel for the airport.
Day 14: New Delhi
Around midnight flight to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more information or to book this tour please submit the Query Form or send us an e-mail ! Your booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from your side.
