5 Days Glimpse of Bhutan
This 5 days 4 nights trip will present a true Glimpse of Bhutan and imbibe in you what it takes for a tiny Buddhist Kingdom to emerge as a unique tourist destination. The journey will take you through the hearts of three western districts of Bhutan – Paro, capital city Thimphu and fertile Punakha valley which all exhibits strength and tenacity of a nation known for preserving its ancient Buddhist culture and living in harmony with its pristine natural environment.
You will visit major historical and religious centers including 4-5 hour return hike to the most spectacular tourist attraction, Paro Taktsang which was originally built in 1692 on a sheer 800-meter rock cliff and 2 hour hike through the beautiful valley in Punakha. En route to Punakha stop at a sacred mountain pass Dochu La at (3,150m/10,335ft) from where you can see, if weather permits, grand panoramic view of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in Bhutan.
ItineraryDay 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)Stop At: National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།, CCHG+F5G, Paro, Bhutan
On arrival at the Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum and then transfer to Thimpu, the capital city. The distance is 55km and takes about 1.5 hours.
The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of the Paro district). It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. We then drive to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Thimphu, Thimphu, Thimphu District
Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country. It is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights and even commercial billboards.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimphu Bhutan
The National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).
Lunch will be arranged either in Paro or Thimphu depending on flight arrival time.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: National Library and Archives of Bhutan, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Just located nearby is the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as the national treasure and is the fundamental source of history, medicine, arts & culture. Both Institute of Zorg Chusum and National Library opens during weekdays and on Saturdays from 10 am - 12 pm.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha Valley (1200m)Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Today after breakfast, visit the tallest sitting statue or Buddha and then transfer to Punakha valley via Dochula Pass.
The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop, Kuensel Phodrang, overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can see a nice view of Thimphu city. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also to usher peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues of the same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre, Industrial Estate Changzantok, Thimphu 00975 Bhutan
A visit to this Weaving Center will give you insights into the weaving culture and tradition of the Kingdom of Bhutan. You will see both men and women weaving some of the most intricate designs and patterns of traditional Bhutanese textiles. Weaving is an integral part of Bhutanese culture.
Duration: 35 minutes
Stop At: Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground, Chang Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Changlimithang Archery Range – If the archery game is in progress, you can stop by and watch how Bhutanese people spend their leisure time. You can see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. We then drive to Punakha valley. The driving distance is 74km and takes about 2.5 hours.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
About a 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan. You’ll have a great opportunity to take beautiful photos of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and grand vistas from this sacred mountain pass. Before the construction of beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (stupas) in 2004, this mountain pass remained only as a sacred place blessed by a famous Buddhist saint, Lam Drukpa Kunley in the late 15th century. From Dochu La Pass, we continue to drive passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through pine forests. You will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to a warmer subtropical valley at 1,200m. Lunch will be arranged either at Dochula Pass or on arrival in Punakha.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
About 11km before reaching proper Punakha town, visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the "Temple of Fertility". Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha. To reach the temple, you have to walk 20 – 30 minutes through beautiful terraced paddy fields and traditional farmhouses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 15th-century Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism and cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. One of the relics of Chimi Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to couples who are unable to have children as it brings fertility giving them the ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Punakha Dzong was originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 A.D. by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded the nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second-largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate woodworks and the architectural structure of the dzong exhibit fine examples of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continue to influence Bhutanese architecture even today. From here, we walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
This suspension bridge is the longest one in Bhutan spanning 160m over the Phochu River (male). Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial-fed rivers, Phochu (male) and Mochu (female). We then drive to Namgay Zam Homestay in the village of Yusakha for overnight. Staying at the village homestay is a perfect way to experience the life of an ordinary Bhutanese family. You can participate in preparing your dinner and learn how to cook some of the popular dishes of Bhutan. If interested, you can also soak in a traditional hot stone bath believed to have a therapeutic and revitalizing effect. If this homestay is not available, you’ll stay at Meri Puensum Resort.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight at Aum Leki Wangmo Homestay in the village of Yusakha or at Hotel Sonamgang
Day 3: Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten / Transfer back to Paro Valley (2200m)Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
After early breakfast, you will do a 2.5-hour round trip hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples and monasteries. It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Grand Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.
From the nearest road point, cross the suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River and the trail takes you through beautiful terraced rice fields and a short climb before reaching the serene site of the marvelous Chorten (which means ‘stupa’). The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile valley of Punakha. After visiting and absorbing the wonderful views, we retrace our steps back to the road head.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Mochu Rafting Point, Khamsum Yueli Namgyal Punakha, 13001, Bhutan
(OPTIONAL) White Water Rafting on Mochu River: If interested, you can go white water rafting on Mochu river graded 1-2 making it possible for all ages to try and experience rafting. The rafting distance on Mochu is 10kms and takes around 1.5 hours from start to finish. One raft which carries 6-8 passengers will cost around USD200 which is divided equally among the passengers. The best season for rafting is from March to June and September to November.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
After lunch, drive back to Paro valley. The driving distance is 115km and takes about 3.5 hours. On arrival in Paro and time permitting, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro. It is believed to have been built overnight in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue the spirit of a giant demoness causing harm to the propagation of Buddhism in the Himalayan region. In order to subdue this demoness, King Songtsen Gampo was required to build 108 temples across the affected region. Bhutan is blessed with four of these 108 temples, one is Jambay Lhakhang located in the district of Bumthang in central Bhutan and the other two, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo in Haa valley.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Dinner and overnight at Umdumwara Resort or Lhayhuel Resort
Day 4: Hike to the famed Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) & later visit Farmhouse for a homecooked local cuisineStop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail, Paro Bhutan
Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site Taktsang is perched on the 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria). The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists.
After lunch at the Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria, we retrace our steps back to the base where the driver will be waiting.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Ugyen Village Homestay, Paro, Bhutan
Towards the late afternoon, visit a beautiful traditional farmhouse for an authentic dinner comprised of homecooked local cuisines. If interested, you can also take a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about US$15 per person.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Overnight at Umdumwara Resort or Lhayhuel Resort
Day 5: Transfer to Paro International Airport for departurePass By: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
After breakfast and depending on your flight departure time, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"This tour can be customized and run on a private basis just for you and your group."
"We highly recommend booking at least a few months before the departure date so that we have enough time to ensure the flights are available. If you already have flight tickets to and from Bhutan, we can take bookings up to a week before the departure date. To process visa, it only takes 4-5 business days."
"There are only two airlines that connect Bhutan with the outside world and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season. Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore. We recommend you book your international flights a few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March to May and September to November. If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance."
"Most travelers can participate"
"After you book the tour, kindly send us clear passports copies of all the participants. A biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. Passports should have a minimum of 6 MONTHS validity from the day you depart from Bhutan. You may also want to check the passport requirements by your next destination country after Bhutan. A copy of your e-Visa will be emailed to you once it is approved. It only takes 4-5 business days to get visa approval and it is 100 percent guaranteed as long as we receive clear passport copies of all the participants. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival. Send the passport copies to the Local Supplier E-mail address."
"Youth between the ages of 13-18 MUST send us a copy of their valid Student Photo ID Card/Document to keep the discounted price. Without a copy of valid Student Photo ID Card/document, the full adult price will apply."
"Participants below the age of 18 years old MUST be accompanied by at least one full-paying adult."
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Horário de Início:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
5 Days Glimpse of Bhutan
6/1/2023 - 12/31/2024| Monday - Sunday : | 07:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
Duração: 5 Days
Ponto de partida: Traveler pickup is offered
Our guide and driver will receive you at Paro International Airport.
Airports- Paro Airport, Paro Bhutan
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Portugues
Español
English
