Taste of Bhutan

Taste of Bhutan: Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chilies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where men wear a tunic to work, and where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product. Tourism in Bhutan is also unique.

Discover the beautiful mountain kingdom of Bhutan, home to sacred sites, dzongs, temples and monasteries. Bhutan offers spectacular mountain views, immense scenic beauty, and a unique culture and lifestyle.

Taste of Bhutan: Day 1 Taste of Bhutan : Paro Airport to Thimphu

After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your Bhutanese guide and driver and transferred by car to Thimphu, travelling through the spectacular countryside enroute to Bhutan’s capital. All the houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Thimphu, both by car and on foot or witness the spectacle of the Thimphu Drubchen.
Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel

Taste of Bhutan: Day 2 Taste of Bhutan Thimpu sightseeing

Full day of sightseeing in Thimpu Valley including a visit to Tashichho Dzong. (B)(L)(D)

Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.

Taste of Bhutan: Day 3 Taste of Bhutan Thimpu – Trongsa

After breakfast, drive up to Dochula Pass with its spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks. Continue to Trongsa across Pele la Pass. Overnight stay in Trongsa. (B)(L)(D)

This morning you will be transferred by road eastwards to the Phobjikha Valley via the town of Wangdue. En route pass the Semtokha Dzong built in 1629, the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley, and which today it is a Theological university. Continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view the 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the low intensity conflict in late 2002 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border. On a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya and depending on the time of the year the vista canvary from alpine snow (November – March) to a profusion of blossoms (March – May) splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and forest trees.
When the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong comes into view, notice the large cacti that cover the hillside below. These were planted long ago to discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. From the road view Rinchengang, one of Bhutan’s oldest villages, which did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early 1990’s.The craftsmen of Rinchengang are sought after for their skills in construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs (temples).

Taste of Bhutan: Day 4: Trongsa – Bumthang
Visit Trongsa and Ta Dzong before journeying over the Yutong la Pass to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan. Overnight in lodge. (B)(L)(D)

Taste of Bhutan: Day 5: Taste of Bhutan Bumthang – Punakha
This morning, explore the fascinating valley of Bumthang before proceeding to Punakha for overnight stay. (B)(L)(D)

Taste of Bhutan: Day 6: Taste of Bhutan Punakha – Paro
Visit Punakha Dzong before continuing to Paro for a two night stay. (B)(L)(D)

Taste of Bhutan: Day 7: Taste of Bhutan Paro
Today’s full day sightseeing in Paro Valley includes morning visits to Ta Dzong, now housing the National Museum, and an excursion to the spectacular Taktsang monastery, the Tiger’s Nest. (B)(L)(D)

This morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tigers Nest. Choose between a 2 hour round trip hike to the Monastery viewpoint or a longer 5 hour and more strenuous hike into the Monastery itself. Tigers Nest clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000 ft above the valley floor and where Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to subdue the local demons followed by 3 months meditation in a cave still visible in the monastery. In 1998 the monastery was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the 4th King in 2005.

Taste of Bhutan: This afternoon, time permitting, take a quick visit to Kyichu Lhakhang – one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit followed by a visit to the old ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong (14km from Paro). This is the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory, from which the Bhutaneseused to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 24,000 ft snow domed peaks of sacred Mt Chomolhari can be seen.

Taste of Bhutan: Day 8 Paro Valley
Depart Paro After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)