7-Day Bhutan Tour

On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by local assistance and transferred to hotel. If you arrive early enough we'll have time to go sightseeing and enjoy an evening stroll around the market.

Today we'll enjoy a Paro tour, starting with a visit to the ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Then we'll proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower, locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. In the late afternoon we'll drive 1 & 1/2 hours to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Today we'll travel to Wangduephodrang via Punakha, crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Along the way we'll visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Then we'll proceed to Wangduephodrang. On arrival we'll check into Wangdi Kichu Resort.

Today we'll enjoy an excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters and home to the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. We'll explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.

Today we'll drive 3 hours back to Thimphu and visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then we'll sightsee the 15 century Changangkha monastery, the Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan, and drive further up for a good view of the Thimphu valley. Next, we'll visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple. In the afternoon we'll visit Simtokha Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.

After breakfast we'll drive to Paro. Today we'll also enjoy a day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged at an extra cost. The hike, which is all the way uphill, takes about 3/4 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Then we'll head to the resort in Paros and enjoy a free evening.

After breakfast we'll transfer you to the airport to board Druk air flight to onward destinations.