7 Night 8 Day Enriching Bhutan Tour

From the Paro International Airport, travel to Thimphu which will take you through Chunzom (confluence of Pachu- the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu –the river flowing through Thimphu valley). On the way, enjoy walking over a suspension bridge to view 15^th century iron chain bridge suspended over the Pa chu and also walk for about 10 minutes to visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple), this 15th century temple located on the base of a mountain across the Pa chu on the Paro-Thimphu highway.

After crossing Chunzom, the your ride in Bhutan tourist vehicle will take you along the Wangchu upto Thimphu city.

On arrival at Thimphu city, a capital of Bhutan, check into your Thimphu hotel. After refreshment visit the following:

Archery Match (National Sport of Bhutan) at Changlimithang National Stadium. Normally you will spot Bhutanese men playing archery game during weekends or public holidays. Good opportunity to interact with local people.
Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.
Craft Bazaar -A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product.

In the evening explore Thimphu city on your own.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu-Punakha & Punakha Tour,stay in Punakha

Distance: 71 km, estimated driving time: 2 hours

Altitude at Punakha:1300m

After breakfast, travel with your Bhutan tourist guide to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass (3140 m).

At Dochula, in the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. You can take photos at the beautiful 108 chortens.

You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan).

You will have refreshment (tea/coffee and snacks) at Dochula Pass Cafeteria and then travel onto Punakha.

On the way, stop for traditional Bhutanese lunch at a farmhouse Lobesa village. After lunch walk through paddy fields for about 20 minutes to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

Then walk over traditional canteliver bridge to visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).

Then walk for about 15 minutes to one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan spanning 350 m and perched high above the very swift Pho chu (male river). Draped with prayer flags ,the bridge connects the town of Punakha and Punakha Dzong.This bridge is mainly used by locals from the village located on the other side of the river as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.

In the evening visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there. This scenic place gives you a good opportunity for photography.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 3: Punakha Short Hike and Punakha -Trongsa

Distance: 129 km, estimated driving time: 4 hours

Altitude at Trongsa:2200m

After breakfast with your Bhutan travel guide, travel through upper Punakha valley and take a leisure walk passing through suspension bridgeand through paddy fields to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang . The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.

Then travel to Trongsa with lunch enroute.The drive will take you through Nobding village and dense forests of oak and blue pine trees and through the subtropical vegetation. The journey will also take you through Pele la pass (3300m). Throughout your trip you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road which makes for good photographing. You will also pass through open meadows, and valley of yak herders and several other villages via Chendebji Chorten ( Stupa) . On arrival at Trongsa, check into your hotel

In the evening visit Trongsa Town.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.

Day 4: Trongsa-Bumthang Tour,stay in Bumthang

Distance: 68 km, estimated travel time: 2 hrs

Altitude at Bumthang:2600m

After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece.

Then travel to Bumthang passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). Just before reaching Bumthang visit “Yathra” Weaving Centre . Yathra” Weaving Centre at Zugney Village where you will see local weavers weaving Yathra. Yathra is the name for the colorful, hand-woven woolen cloth (often with geometric designs) that is produced in this region and wool used for this type of textile is sheep wools the sheep is reared in this Bumthang Valley. Yathra is made into jackets or bags, etc.

On arrival at Bumthang check into your hotel and after lunch visit Tamshing Lhakhang. This temple is also known as Tamshing Lhendrup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message). Then take a gentle and pleasant walk crossing a suspension bridge to Kurjey Lhakhang. Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, "Body imprint"). The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and left his body imprint. After visiting Kurjey Lhakhang take another few minutes walk to Jambay Lhakhang.Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms.

After visiting Jambay Lhakhang, drive for about 10 minutes to visit Jakar Dzong, "castle of the white bird". According to legend, when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong. The fortress is now used as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence of Trongsa monks.

In the evening visit a farmhouse in Bumthang valley to get an insight into the village life in Bumthang Valley.

Enjoy authentic traditional Bhutanese dinner with family members of the farmhouse.

Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang Valley.

Day 5:Bumthang-Phobjikha

Distance: 155 km, estimated travel time: 5 hrs

Altitude at Phobjikha:2900m

After breakfast travel to Phobjikha valley through Trongsa and Pelela Pass. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries. Each winter it is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-necked cranes. The surrounding hills and mountains are home to nomadic shepherds and yak-h erders. This is one of the most remote and untouched regions in Bhutan.

You are expected to arrive at Phobjikha valley in the evening.

Then check into hotel in Phobjikha.Dinner and Overnight at a hotel in Phobjikha Valley.

Day 6: Phobjikha tour and Phobjikha-Thimphu

Distance:135 km ,Estimated Driving time:4 hours

Altitude at Thimphu:2300m

After breakfast take a short hike from Gangtey Monastery along the Gangtey Nature Trail enjoying spectacular view of several villages in Phobjikha valley. You will end your hike at Black Necked crane center and visit the Black necked crane center (cranes will start immigrating to this area by December). From black crane center take short walk through fields and farmhouses where you can have free interaction with local people and visit their houses.

After lunch travel to Thimphu a through Nobding village which is about 45 minutes drive from Phobjikha valley and also through Wangdue Phodrang and Dochula Pass.

You are expected to arrive Thimphu in the evening.

On arrival at Thimphu a check into your hotel and Thimhpu city tour by visiting the National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘chorten’ literally means ' seat of faith' and Buddhists often call such monuments the 'Mind of Buddha'. Meet the local people in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.

Dinner restaurant in Thimphu Town and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 7: Thimphu-Paro & A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Thimphu-Paro Distance:54km, Estimated Driving time:1 hour

Altitude at ParoL2200m

Altitude at Taktsang:3000m

After breakfast, travel to Paro and travel further for about 20 minutes to the base of Taktsang Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Take photos with great view of Taktsang behind you.

Then hike further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point.

Then visit Kichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo

Then visit a Farmhouse in Paro Valley and a visit to a farmhouse offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.

In the evening relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath at a farmhouse in Paro valley.

Tradtional Hotstone bath: A traditional Bhutan hot stone bath uses river rocks that therapists place in water where they crack and steam, releasing key minerals and relieving deep-set aches.

You will also see around inside of the traditional Bhutanese house.

You will enjoy traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 08: Paro Departure

After breakfast, your Bhutan tour guide from Access Bhutan Tours- Bhutan travel agent will escort you to the airport for your onward destinations.

***End of the Tour ***

Bhutan Trip Cost for the 7 Nights 8 Days Bhutan Enriching Tour Itinerary

Travel Time	1 pax	2 -3 pax	4 pax & above
Low Season:Jan, Feb,Jul,Aug & Dec	USD2105/person	USD1615/person	USD1580/person
Regular Season:Mar,April,May,Jun,Sep,Oct & Nov	USD2140/person	USD1650/person	USD1615/person

The above Bhutan tour package prices includes the following:

Twin/double sharing hotel rooms at premium 3 star hotels
All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner & light refreshments) at 3 star hotels
English speaking tour guide service
All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
Mineral drinking water
Tourist Tax (SDF) of USD100/person/night
Visa fee USD40 per person
Entrance fees to Museums & Monuments

The above tour prices do not include the following:

Single room supplement of USD 40/room/night (optional)
Airfares
Travel insurance (required)
Accommodations and meals at luxury hotel accommodations and meals -4 star and 5 star (optional)
Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc

Complimentary Services:

Traditional Bhutanese dress for free renting to wear for a day or so ( if interested)
We provide facility to try out Archery using Bhutanese traditional bow and arrows (made out of bamboo) at a farmhouse ( if interested)
Traditional Hot stone bath one session at a farmhouse after your hike to Tiger's Nest monastery

***Thank you & Tashi Delek***

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