Bhutan Tour Packages: Wander Around in the Clouds – 8 Day Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 01| Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1 Hr)
Day 02| Thimphu – Punakha (2 Hrs)
Day 03| Punakha Sightseeing
Day 04| Punakha – Phobjikha (2 Hrs)
Day 05| Phobjikha Sightseeing
Day 06| Phobjikha – Paro (5 Hrs)
Day 07| Paro Sightseeing
Day 08| Departure

 

• Places Covered: Thimphu, Punakha/Wangdue, Phobjikha, Paro & Haa

 

Day 01 Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1 Hr) & Thimphu City Tour

Early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan

Upon your arrival in Paro airport our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to Thimphu. After Lunch visit the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3^rd King.

Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a beautiful view of the valley. Enclosure where the national animal, Takins are kept and drive to visit the largest and the newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley.

After 5 PM, visit the fortress of Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne of the king. Evening walk around the happening town, the largest and the most crowded town in Bhutan.

Overnight: Thimphu 3 star hotel.

✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 02 Thimphu – Punakha (2 Hrs) & Sightseeing on Route

Morning visit to the weekend market.

Visit the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill.

Visit the School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan.

Visit Folk Heritage Museum which explains how a traditional house used to be like in the olden days. Later visit the National Library which houses the collection of Bhutanese rich religious text and the contemporary Buddhism teachings from master all around the world.

Drive further up to visit the Dechenphodrang monastic school and meet the young monks.

Later continue to Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them.

Lunch in the town and drive to Punakha crossing over Dochula pass.

En route just before arriving the hotel, taka a nice hike through the paddy field and old village to visit Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.

Overnight: Punakha 3 star hotel.

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

 Day 03 Punakha Sightseeing

Morning drive to visit Punakha Dzong (fortress).

This is a must to see fortress in Bhutan and a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture. After the visit if you are in mood for a nice half-day hike, you could start the hike right above the Dzong with a short steep climb offering a great view of the valley with houses spread all around and the never-ending turquoise river and its sandy riverbed. The hike ends through the farm field crossing the newly constructed bridge, where your car will be waiting at the other side of the river.

After lunch could go for an hour hike (uphill) to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang overlooking the paddy field and the snakelike river bends.

Or could relax in the balcony of the hotel to enjoy the view and the nature.

Overnight: Punakha 3 star hotel.

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 04 Punakha – Phobjika (2 Hrs) & Sights in the Valleys

If you are staying in hotel Meri Puensum, hotel Zandopelri or hotel Densa, early morning it will be a treat to walk up to the hilltop to visit the nunnery and interact with the nuns and enjoy the magnificent view of Punakha and Wangdi valley.

Later after breakfast drive to the remote isolated valley of Phobjikha.

En route could stop for a short hike to the ancient village of Rinchengang overlooking the ruins of Wangdi Dzong.

This valley is protected being winter home for the endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every end of Oct to end of Feb.

Upon your arrival could go for a short walk in the valley.

This is a very remote village, and the hotel standard is very basic. Farmhouses stay optional.

Overnight: Phobjikha 3 star hotel.

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 05 Phobjika Sightseeing

Today, will be a very relaxing day.

After late breakfast could go for Phobjikha Nature trail hike (2.5 Hrs), which offers beautiful view of the valley. It starts from the valley and end with Gangtey Goempa temple at the hilltop overlooking the valley. Gangtey Goempa temple is a beautiful temple, richly renovated with many monks living. Could also visit the Crane Canter supported by the RSPN. Can have an option to visit a village and a farmhouse for lunch/dinner.

Overnight: Phobjikha 3 star hotel.

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 06 Phobjikha – Paro (5 Hrs) & Paro Dzong

Morning retraces the drive back to Paro crossing over Dochula La pass. Upon arrival in Paro, visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicraft stores. You could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on.

Evening back to the hotel.

Overnight: Paro 3 star hotel.

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 07 Paro Sightseeing

Morning drive to the base for the hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley.

Most of the day will go on the hike.

On the way back, if you have the energy and time visit the Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan which marks the beginning of Buddhism in the country.

Hot stone bath available at an additional cost. Farewell dinner with your guide.

Overnight: Paro 3 star hotel

✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner

Day 08 Departure

Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Your guide will bid you farewell at the airport.

✓ Breakfast