Wonders of Bhutan Incl. 3-Day Gangtey Nature Trek

On your arrival at the only International Airport in Bhutan, your guide and driver will meet and greet you at the airport and then transfer to Punakha valley. (Driving time 3.5 hours)

Dochula Pass

En route stop briefly at Dochula – a sacred mountain pass at an elevation of 3150m and enjoy a grand view of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan on a clear day. From there continue driving towards Punakha and gradually descend to a warm low altitude valley within an hour. Continue to drive towards Punakha valley.

Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility)

Just about 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known among tourists as “Temple of Fertility”. A gentle walk through the terraced rice fields and traditional farmhouses painted with phalluses will give you a unique experience. Explore the nearby village. If time permits, you will visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Nunnery located on a peaceful hilltop overlooking the lower Punakha valley.

Accommodation: Hotel Lobesa or Meri Puensum Resort.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten

After an early breakfast, drive to the nearest road-head and hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten located on a serene hilltop overlooking the fertile Punakha valley. The hike takes you through the beautiful terraced rice fields and traditional houses. It takes about 2-2.5 hrs round trip. After the hike, retrace your footstep back to the road-head and drive to visit the most beautiful 17th century Punakha Dzong.

Punakha Dzong

The 17th century Punakha Dzong is considered as the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. This magnificent fortress displays fine Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence the Bhutanese architecture to this day. You will spend some time appreciating the intricate woodworks and sacred wall paintings.

Bhutan’ Longest Suspension Bridge

After visiting the Punakha Dzong, you will walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan and enjoy its beauty. After lunch, transfer to Trongsa in Central Bhutan.

Transfer to Trongsa

After lunch, transfer to Trongsa in central Bhutan (driving time 4-hours). En route drive through the highest mountain pass between Punakha and Trongsa (Pelela 3,350m). You will have several opportunities for photography and views of valleys and mountains along the way.

Accommodation: Tashi Ninjay Guest House or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trongsa Dzong & Royal Heritage Museum

After breakfast, visit the largest fortress in Bhutan, 17th-century Trongsa Dzong (Optional as it will be the same as any other fortresses) From there walk up to the promontory on which the Royal Heritage Museum housed in the 17th-century watchtower is located.

Transfer to Bumthang valley (driving time 3-hours). En route drive through the highest mountain pass between Trongsa and Bumthang (Yotongla 3,450m). Stop briefly at Chumey village to see Yathra Weaving Center and get insights into the traditional attires and weaving culture of the people of Bumthang valley.

Swiss Cheese & Wine Factory and Tamzhing Lhakhang

After lunch, visit the Swiss Cheese and Wine factory which was established by Mr. Fritz Maurer, a Swiss volunteer who came to Bhutan in the early 1960s and made Bumthang his home. After that visit the sacred Tamzhing temple built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa who is considered as the patron saint of Bhutan. Among the many treasures and religious artefacts handcrafted by the Pema Lingpa himself, there is an armory which stood the test of time for five centuries bearing no rust or any sign of deterioration. It is believed that you will be cleansed of all your past sins and defilement if you circumambulate the inner sanctum of the temple 3 rounds carrying that sacred armory. This is one activity enjoyed by all visitors with fun and a sense of veneration.

Leisure time around Chamkhar, the main town of Bumthang.

Accommodation: Kaila Guest House or Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tang Valley & Burning Lake (Mebar Tso)

After breakfast, drive for about 45min to the sacred lake called Mebartso from where a sacred statue and other religious treasures were discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa.

You would see these sacred objects at Tamzhing temple on Day 3. Visit the nearby Tang village and ramble through the rural settlements to understand the daily lives of the farmers of Bumthang. Home-cooked local cuisine unique to Bumthang will be organized at one of the village farmhouses for lunch. After lunch, spend some time with the local family. Drive back to Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Visit Kurjey Lhakhang which is built on the sacred site blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava brought Buddhism to Bhutan and is revered as the second Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism. If you wish, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th century Jambay Lhakhang believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Accommodation: Kaila Guest House or Mountain Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Phobjikha valley

After breakfast, transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey. Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area.

Gangtey Nature Hike

After lunch in Phobjikha, venture out on an exhilarating nature hike through the pristine valley. The trail is about 5km and takes approx. 3 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures! In the evening, take a traditional hot stone bath for $15 believed to have a therapeutic effect (optional).

Accommodation: Yueloki Guest House or a similar one
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on an exciting 3-day trek. The Trek starts near the village of Tabiting.

The trail winds through meadows and fields and the climb takes you through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron to Tsele La (3430m). From here you descend into the Juge Kangkha Chhu valley. Further on, the path leads to Gogona, well known for its “Gogona Cheese” production. The campsite is a bit further on besides a small stream in a yak pasture called Zasa.

Accommodation: Outdoor camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A gentle climb leads to Shobe La pass (3,480m). The descent from the pass leads to a wide valley, surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. Below the route, one can see Khothokha, a village with about 60 houses. You finally reach the campsite by climbing gently up till you see four chortens in a forest of blue pine.

Accommodation: Outdoor camping at Chorten Karpo (3330m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the camp, you climb till you reach a forest road. From here it’s an easy walk up to a little ridge at 2,800m. The walk down back into the valley leads you through Bhutan’s best bird-watching areas. The trek ends at Tikke Zampa where your driver will be waiting. Your trekking team will bid you farewell at this point.

After the trek ends, you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. En route, stop briefly at Dochula Pass for a coffee break. On arrival in Thimphu, spend leisure time around the streets of Thimphu. Thimphu is home to around 115,000 residents and this bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights.

Leisure time to explore Thimphu streets.

Accommodation: Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will spend the day exploring Thimphu, the only capital city in the world without traffic lights. You will understand how Bhutan embraces modernization while still trying to preserve it age-old traditions.

Buddha Dordhenma Statue

After breakfast, visit the giant Buddha statue located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop, Kuensel Phodrang, overlooking the Thimphu valley.

Institute of Traditional Arts & Crafts

Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum where the 13 traditional arts & crafts of Bhutan are taught. If the class is in session, you can hop in and observe while the students gets hands-on training. Opens during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am-noon.

National Library & Archives or Bhutan

Visit National Library of Bhutan considered as a national treasure of Bhutan and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture. Opens during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am-noon.

Centenary Farmers’ Market & Archery Range

If you wish, visit the Centenary Farmer’s Market where you will see farmers from across the country sell their products like vegetables, fruits and cereals. You will understand the food preference and culture in Bhutanese society. You may want to visit Bhutan Postal Museum if you are interested in Philatelic products and stamp collections. You can also have your own stamps printed with your photo. (Optional) Spend evening leisurely around Thimphu town.

Drive to nearby Changlimithang Archery Range to witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time the target is hit from a distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Leisure time around Thimphu town.

Accommodation: Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will be transferred back to Paro and visit some of the landmarks in the valley. Later after lunch, drive to the hilltop overlooking the Paro valley and interact with the monks at the peaceful and secluded monastery.

National Museum of Bhutan

The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of Paro district) was established in 1968. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang

Visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, a seventh-century Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means “temple”), which is located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro, is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in a single day.

Drive to Sangchokhor Monastery

Later after lunch, drive to the Sangchen Chokhor Buddhist College located on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Paro Valley. You can meet and mingle with happy monks, meditate and offer prayers if you wish.

Leisure time in Paro town.

Accommodation: Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast, drive to the base of Taksang, Ramthagk and hike to the famous Paro Taktsang built on the face of an 800-meter rocky cliff. The roundtrip hike takes around 4-5 hour. 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 visiting Taktsang monastery and a sumptuous lunch at Taktsang cafeteria, retrace your footsteps back to the road-head where your driver will be waiting.

Towards the late afternoon, visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisine. If interested, you can take a revitalizing hot stone bath for an additional fee of US$15 per person charged by the owner.

Accommodation: Khangkhu Resort or BhutanMandala Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.

Meals: Breakfast