Classical Bhutan

Arrive at Paro International Airport followed by meeting Vacations 24 executive. The flight to Paro offers an enchanting view of Himalayan mountains. If weather permits, you will be welcomed by the sight of Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan mountains during your flight to Paro. Our executive will take you to the hotel followed by a check-in procedure. After check-in, proceed to visit Zorig Chusum Institute, which is an art and crafts institute. It aims to preserve and promote the art and culture of the country. After this, we will visit the Textile Museum which aims to promote Bhutanese textile arts. From here, we will proceed to Paper Factory which manufactures some of the best handmade sheets in the world. This factory makes the paper from 8th-century old techniques. From there we would move to Memorial Chorten, which was the memorial built for third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. From there we move to Mini Zoo and Sangaygang View Point. The last destination for the day is Tashichho Dzong, which means Fortress of Glorious Religion. From there, we can go to discotheques. Return back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2 of the holidays in Bhutan starts with breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we would leave to visit the weekend market. The market is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and you can barter to find the best products. After markets, we will hike to Cheri Monastery, which also includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary. The one-hour long hiking trail will take us to Cheri Goemba. The monastery was built in the year 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. You can spot birds here, including Long-billed Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. Next destination on our itinerary is Folk Heritage Museum. The museum was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and it is aimed at connecting rural people of Bhutan to the entire country. The last destination for the day is Thangtong Dewachen, which is considered an emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo. It was founded by 1976 by Rikey Jadrel. Return back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After early morning breakfast at the hotel, leave for Trongsa which will be a 5-hour drive. The first stop for the day would be the mesmerizing Dochula Pass, which is nestled at an elevation of 10,362ft. Offering the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains, the allure of the place gets more enhanced with Druk Wangyal Chortens, which is a cluster of 108 stupas built by eldest queen Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. After reaching Trongsa, check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

The day 4 of the Classic Bhutan Trip starts with breakfast the hotel after which we will leave for Bumthang Valley. Enroute the valley, we will stop at Trongsa Dzong, which was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa in the year 1644. Aimed at unifying Eastern Bhutan under the rule of Desi, today the Dzong dominates the horizon. The first and second king of Bhutan ruled from this Dzong. Another attraction here is the Trongsa Museum. From there, drive to Bumthang Valley. After reaching Bumthang Valley, check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Today we will explore Bumthang. After a lavish breakfast at the hotel, depart to visit tourist attractions in Bumthang. The first destination for the day is Jakar Dzong which was initially built as a monastery in the year 1549 by the great grandfather of Zhabdrung. The next destination is Jambay Lhakhang monastery which was built in the year 8th century. Part of 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen to subdue evil spirits in the region. From there, we will proceed to Kurjey Lhakhang. Dating back to the 8th century when the famous Guru Rinpoche first visited the region, Kurjey Lhakhang originated after his visit. From there we would hike to Tamzhing Lhakhang. Also known as “Temple of the good message”, it was built by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501. From there we will proceed to the last destination for the day, Mebar Tsho, which is a sacred lake. From there we will proceed back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Gangtey. Enroute Gangtey, visit Ogyen Choling Palace. Located in the Tang valley of Bumthang, visitors have to cross a suspension bridge to reach here. After the bridge, hike to the village on foot. The trekking trail is easy and takes around 45 minutes. After visiting the palace, continue driving to Gangtey. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel at Gangtey.

After a lavish breakfast at the hotel, depart for Phobjikha Visitor Centre. This is a famous crane information center and it is a nice place to get acquainted with codes of conducts for the conservation area. From there we will proceed to Gangtey Nature Trail, which is one of the most enchanting trekking experiences in Bhutan. On this trail, you get to experience magnificent Goemba, vast open green fields, and local Bhutanese villages. Later drive to Punakha. After reaching here, check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After a lavish breakfast at the hotel, depart for Punakha exploration. The first tourist attraction on the itinerary is Punakha Dzong, which is a fortress. Built by Zhabdrung in the year 1637, the fortress is located between the rivers– Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu(river). The next destination is Chimi Lhakhang, which is also known as the temple of fertility. Built in the year 1499 by Iam Drukpa Kuenley, the temple can be accessed by a short 30 minutes’ hike. After this, proceed with the drive to Paro. After crossing the Dochula Pass, we will halt for tea and snacks, after which we will hike to Lungchotse Lhakhang. From there we will proceed to 7th-century Kichu Lhakhang monastery, after which we will continue driving to Paro. After reaching Paro, check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Today is reserved for Paro sightseeing tour, starting with Hike to Taktsang Monastery. One of the most serene experiences of trekking in Bhutan, the trail will take you to Bhutan’s most famous tourist attraction, Taktsang Monastery. Built in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche, the trail is a 3-hour hike. From there we will proceed to Farmhouse, which will be our home for tonight. After a lavish meal, depart for Ta Dzong, which is a watchtower used during the 17th century to guard the Tibet region. The last destination for the day is Rinpung Dzong. Built by Zhabdrung in 1644, it also serves as a venue for Paro Tsechu.

After early morning breakfast at the hotel, depart for the airport, thus marking an end to the Classic Bhutan Trip.