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East to West Bhutan Cultural Tour
Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destination Covered : Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
Tour Activities : Heritage, Hill Stations & Valleys, Hill Stations & Valleys
Price on Request
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha Tour Overview
Bhutan has introduced the domestic flights between Paro, Bumthang and Yonphula (Trashigang). However, the maintenance of Air strips at Yonphula Domestic Airport that will go until 2013 have compelled the travelers to follow the travel by vehicle. Until 2015, the trip will be of 16 days and there on, you can reduce the duration of the trek to 15 days if you use the domestic flight to Trashigang from Paro International Airport.
NOTE: Extensive Cultural tour to Bhutan covers length and breadth of the country and highlight most beautiful place of interest of Bhutan.Flight ticket
Any drinks in tourist standard restaurant or hotel. Personal expenses Tips for the guide and diver.
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, our representative will be there to receive and transfer you to Thimphu. 45 minutes of drive along the banks of Pachhu and Wangchhu and you reach Thimphu. Check in the Hotel and serve the first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. Later you may stroll in the town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu!
Day 2
On our drive to Trashigang, we spent the night at Bumthang after crossing three passes of above 3100m in Dochu La, Pelela and Yutogla via Wangdue and Trongsa. Short stops will be made for you to have the scenic view of peaks and rivers during our journey.
Day 3
We start early. Today’s journey will take us through winding roads running through steep cliffs in Namling. Passing via Mongar, the journey is mostly through temperate climate. For the night, we will be at Trashigang.
After 2015, the journey will be of 30 minutes by Domestic flight from Paro to Yonphula in Tashigang. You will get to visit Sherubtse College, the oldest college in the country founded in 1966. Other sites to visit include Trashigang Dzong, built in 17th century that administered whole of the eastern region until the beginning of the 20th century.
After 2015, the journey will be of 30 minutes by Domestic flight from Paro to Yonphula in Tashigang. You will get to visit Sherubtse College, the oldest college in the country founded in 1966. Other sites to visit include Trashigang Dzong, built in 17th century that administered whole of the eastern region until the beginning of the 20th century.
Day 4
From Trashigang, we drive for 1 hour and 45 minutes to Chorten Kora in Trashi Yangtse via Goma Kora. Trashi Yangtse which borders the India State of Arunachal Pradesh served as the vital trade route during olden times. On our way back, we will make short stop at Doksum for colourful clothes woven using back strap-looms will be available for sell. Return to Trashigang for the night!
Day 5
The journey back to west via Mongar will take us through cornfields, tropical fruits such as Mango and pineapples in abundance. Passing through temperate climate, we reach Mongar. At Mongar, visit the Dzong built in 1930 relocated from old Dzong at Zhongar. In the evening, stroll freely in fast burgeoning town in the East! Overnight in Hotel!
Day 6
Conquering Thrumsengla at 3, 800m is the characteristic feature for today’s journey for it marks the change in weather and vegetation too. Descending after the Pass for a while through lush vegetation will reach us to one of the beautiful valleys of the Country in Ura. Typically a nucleated settlement, the village is one of the homes of earliest Bhutanese inhabitants. Driving further west will reach us to Bumthang for the night.
Day 7
Known as the cultural capital of the Country, Bumthang beside its beauty is home to some of the sacred sites in the Country blessed by Guru Rinpochhe and Tertoens (Treasure Discoverers). Start your tour with the visit to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the country built in 7th Century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Short drive to the North will take you to Kurje Lhakhang housing the body imprint of Guru Rinpochhe. Follow to Jakar Dzong located on hillock overlooking the town. On the left flank of the Chamkhar Chhu, visit Tamzhing Lhakhang built by great Tertoen, Pema Lingpa, the ancestor of the Bhutan’s hereditary Monarch. In October, Jambay Lhakhang Drub is one of the colourful festivals in the country. Visit Thangbi Lhakhang in the heart of Thangbi valley built in 16th century. Overnight in the hotel in Bumthang!
Day 8
Start your second day tour of Bumthang with the visit to Me-Bar Tsho (the Burning Lake). It is said that Tertoen Pema Lingpa, dived into the lake holding a butter lamp and returned with the lamp still lit on one hand and sacred relics on the other. Two hours’ drive from Me – bar Tsho will take you to Kesum, a beautiful village. From there, a hike for about an hour crossing suspension bridge, passing though the farmland and cluster of villages will reach us to sacred Ugyen Choling. For the night, we will be either spending in the Dzong or in Dzong owner’s place.
Day 9
The five hour journey from Bumthang to Gangtey passes via Trongsa, the ancestral palace of the ruling Wangchuck Dynasty. Trongsa Dzong is the seat of Trongsa Poenlop, the post assumed by Prince before accession to the Golden Throne. The Dzong in itself is the source of history. Built in 17th century during the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong played significant role in bring Eastern Bhutan under the Drukpa regime while defending external invasions. Ta Dzong, the watch tower then is now converted to Heritage Museum. After crossing Pelela, we head toward Phobjikha Valley, the winter home for Black necked cranes which can be found in the months from November to March. Some short hikes in the valley will be tailored with you.
Day 10
After going for some sightseeing in the Phobjikha Valley, we begin our journey to Punakha. Phobjikha one of the preferred destinations for both national and international travelers is the winter home for black necked cranes. Visit Gangtey Goemba, the seat of venerable Gangtey Truelku. Upon reaching Wangdue, have the view of Wangdue Dzong under reconstruction after the major fire in 2012 brought it down to the ground. Drive to the North will reach us to Punakha for the night!
Day 11
Visit Punakha Dzong, the former capital of the Country. Built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the confluence of Phochhu and Mochhu, the Dzong personifies Bhutan’s history and architecture. Proceed to Chhimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, often known as ‘Devine Madman’. 20 minute walk from road head through the village of Sopsokha below Mesina will reach to the temple on a hillock. Overnight at Punakha!
Day 12
After visiting Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten built by Royal Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, start a two and half hour journey to Thimphu. At Dochula, stop for a while and get around 108 chortens built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the soldiers lost. After reaching the capital, Thimphu, we will do some light sightseeing around the capital town.
Day 13
After breakfast, we start the tour. Visit the Takin enclosure, to see the national animal of Bhutan. Proceed to Kuensel Phodrang and have a sight of Buddha Dordenma Statue, the biggest of its kind in the world. After visiting Heritage Museum and Textile Museum, follow to Trashichhodzong, the throne room and the seat of Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Visit National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Make a short trip to Paper factory where you will get to see the art of Bhutanese traditional paper making. Five miles from the town will reach you to Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the Kingdom built in 1629. Never miss an opportunity to visit Centenary Farmers Market, for you will get to herds of people come for market as variety of home grown vegetables will be displayed for sell. 15 minute drive from the main city to a hillock will take you to Sangaygang where the Bhutan Broad Casting Tower is stationed. From there you can relish the beautiful scene of the whole of Thimphu City. Overnight in Thimphu!
Day 14
The 3 hour drive to Haa and return to Paro via Chelela at 3, 988m affords panoramic view of Paro valley on one and Haa on the other. At Haa, we will do some sightseeing and visit Katsho Lhakhang in Katsho. Experience the life of villagers in Katsho, we return for Paro for the night!
Day 15
After breakfast, start early hike to Taktshang, the Tiger Nest Monastery. Guru Rinpochhe is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress to meditate and convert the valley to Buddhism. The Monastery is miraculously built at vertical granite rock. After lunch at Taktshang Cafeteria, we visit Drukgyal Dzong, the Fort of Victorious Bhutan built after Bhutanese victory over Tibetans. Then, proceed to Kyichhu Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the Country and contemporary to Jampbay Lhakhang in Bumthang. In the evening, you may stroll freely in the town. If time permits, we will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong, the National Museum. Overnight hotel in Paro!
Day 16
Our team will reach you to the Airport for your flight and bid goodbye to you.
More Details about Paro, Thimphu and Punakha Tour
Inclusions
- Hotel
- Sightseeing
- Visa fees
- Royalty and surcharges
- Accommodation in TOP 3* Hotels/Resorts, Transportation and sightseeing as per itinerary, All permits and taxes included, All fees to museums, monuments, and cultural sits,
- Permits to enter old monasteries and Taxes, Licensed English speaking guide.
- All three meals included.
- SUV or standard duty car for sightseeing and pick-drop.
Exclusions
- Flight ticket
- Any drinks in tourist standard restaurant or hotel. Personal expenses Tips for the guide and diver.
Terms & Conditions
DELAYED ARRIVALS -
- There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.
CANCELLATIONS -
- Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
- within 30 days of start of program – no charges
- within 21 days – 10% of rate
- within 14 days – 15% of rate
- within 7 days – 30% of rate
- less than 7 days or without notice – 50% of rate
- after arrival in Bhutan – 100%
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