Bhutan’s Hidden Gems Tour

After Breakfast from hotel we will explore some of the places in Thimphu:

General Post Office: For stamps, Bhutan is famous for producing unique and innovative stamps. After selling peculiar “CD-Stamps” Bhutan’s Post Office now offers personalized stamp; we invite you to surprise your family and friends with your custom-made stamp made with one of your favorite holiday’s photographs!

National Institute for Zorig Chusum: This institute commonly known as ‘the painting school’ operates four-Six years course that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in painting, woodcarving, embroidery or Statue making.

Simply Bhutan (Living Museum): Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum that gives an introduction to various aspects of Bhutanese traditional life. Visitors get to learn how to distil arak, dress traditional attire, try out archery and hear songs sung by Bhutanese women as they build houses out of rammed earth. It's a good family experience. There are also souvenir shops and a snack bar.

Bhutanese Paper Factory:  The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8th century, although usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today it is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The factory allows guests to view the paper making process and purchase gifts from their show room. Evening Leisure time at Hotel.

Overnight at Hotel/Resort at Thimphu

After B/Fast transfer to Gangtey en route visit

Dochula Pass: Today we will drive (45mis) from Thimphu to Dochula Pass (3050mts.) During a clear day you will get a chance to see Himalayan mountain ranges of Bhutan. Enjoy a spectacular view highest mountain of Bhutan at a site that stretches almost 180 degrees. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens – a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, after a short tea break continue drive to sub-tropical Gangtey. Lunch on the waysThe journey continues over the 3,050m mountain pass where on a clear day, towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible. The descent down thru the Punakha Valley along the Kingdom’s only east-west highway, continues on through the scenic village of Wangdi.Carrying on the highway follows the scenic Dang Chhu before climbing thru forests of bamboo and oak, and just before crossing the Pele La pass, a small side road splinters off to the hidden Phobjika Valley. On arrival you will have time to visit the striking Gangtey Goemba, and perhaps strolling thru the quaint Gangtey village.

Gangtey Goemba: Visit the stiking Gangtey Goemba, Sitting at the head of the vallley . The 15th century treasure –finder Pema Lingpa prophesied that a goemba named gang-teng(hill top) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, built a Nyingma temple here in 1613, and the larger goemba was built by the second reincarnation, Tenzing Legpey Dhendup. The current Pema Namgyel, is the ninth reincarnation of the body of Pema Lingpa.

Gangtey Nature walk: This pleasurable walk will give you a great feel of Phobjikha valley and takes you 2 hours. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village, then through forests of blue trees and into the open valley. The trail ends at the local community school after passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang. If you come here in winter, from later October to the end of February you can see the black necked Cranes. We also visit Black-Necked Crane Information Centre which has informative displays about the black-necked cranes and the valley environment.

Black Neck Crane Centre: Visit Black neck crane Centre which has informative displays about the cranes and the valley environment. You can use the Centre’s powerful spotting scopes and check what you see against its pamphlet, Field guide to crane Behavior’ if the weather’s iffy you can browse the library and handicraft shop and watch videos. 

Overnight at Hotel/Resort in Gangtey  

Chimi Lakhang: Temple also known as the Temple of Fertility, 30mins. Walk from the road to the Lhakhang is through open farmland and rice paddies. It is believed that a demon who had been terrorizing the valley transformed herself into a black dog to escape the wrath of Drukpa Kuenlay, the Divine Madman.

Punakha Dzong: The Dzong is considered one of the most important and also one of the most beautiful Dzong in the Kingdom. It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637, and was the seat of the government every winter until Thimphu was established as the permanent capital in 1955. It is still the residence of the Dratshang (Central Monastic Body). Take a time to admire the impressive, colorful and detailed artistry of the surroundings, including huge statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, as well as paintings of one thousand Buddhas.

Suspension Bridge: One of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, spanning 350M and perched high above the very swift river of Pho Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, it is mainly used by locals from the other side of the town as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.

Overnight at Hotel/Resort at Punakha

National Museum: Housed in the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) of the Rinpung Dzong. In the Museum the intriguing collection of artifacts serves as a great introduction to the rich culture and Heritage of the Kingdom. The National Museum boasts a rich variety of exhibits collected from all over the country and belonging to different eras, some as early as 2000 B.C.A visit through the galleries shows the country’s transition the later stone Age to a modern Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom.

Paro Dzong: Take in the amazing architecture of this 17th century monument, a premier example of Bhutan’s architecture. Paro Dzong, built in 17th century to defend Paro from the Tibetan invasion, is also known as Rinpung Dzong, which means the ‘Fortress on a heap of Jewels’. This fine example of Bhutanese architecture now serves as a central monastic and administrative seat of the Paro district. From the Dzong, a leisurely walk back into Paro town crossed the scenic Nyamai Zampa, a unique model of Bhutan’s traditional cantilever bridge.

Kyichu Lhakhang: The 7th century monastery is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in the kingdom where the seed of Buddhism was won in Bhutan. The Tibetan King, Songsten Gampo ordered the establishment of monasteries in the Himalayan region to subdue evil spirits and to spread Buddhism. Of the 108, which were to be built, two major ones were built in Bhutan namely the kyichu Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang. Kyichu Lhakhang, which pins down the left foot of a treacherous Ogress, are a great finish to this day of cultural immersion and your journey to this ancient kingdom of Bhutan. Evening explore beautiful town of Paro which is typically Bhutanese architecture.

Overnight at Hotel/Resorts at Paro.

Taktsang (Tiger’s nest monastery): Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Goempa is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900 meters(2952feet) above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew in to Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The Taktshang Goempa is built around the cave, which is opened to the public once a year at the end of August. Evening Leisure time at hotel.

Overnight at Hotel/Resort at Paro.

Drive  Chele La Pass (3, 988m).

Chele La Pass: Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass, which, at 3, 988m is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue pine and rhododendron (Etho Metho) forests for 35 km. On a clear day, the view sweeps away to the snow-dome of Bhutan's second highest peak, Mt. Jomolhari (7, 314m), and down to the Haa Valley, which only opened to foreigners in 2002 due to its promixity to the border with Sikkim and Tibet.

We will bid a fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take a flight back to your home. We hope you had a wonderful moment and have lots of beautiful pictures and memories taken from this land of thunder dragon to be cherished forever. We look forward to see you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!