Western Bhutan Cultural Tour

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Western Bhutan comprises of Paro, Thimpu, Punakha and Wangdue among others. A tour of western Bhutan will bring you closer to the people and culture of Bhutan. Grab the opportunity to observe summer festivals of ritual dances and Shamanism, visit Monasteries and museums and explore ancient and medieval Dzongs. Our journey begins with a sightseeing of Thimphu. Here we will visit Memorial Chorten, Nunnery Monastery and then head to Punakha to see Punakha Dzong, once the capital of Bhutan now a winter residence of the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. We will also drive to Punakha through the Do-Chula pass (3,050m). In Paro we will visit Simtokha Dzong (the oldest Dzong in Bhutan), National Museum, Paro Dzong and Satsam Chorten. Western Bhutan Cultural Tour is one of the cultural tours of Bhutan. On this tour, you will get the chance to visit some of the wonderful monasteries. You will also get the chance to experience some annual festivals of Bhutanese people. Depending upon your interest, Western Bhutan cultural tour can last up to 21 days. You will get the chance to get a rare insight into the whole of Bhutan. You will visit the alpine valley of Bhobjika, Gangtey Gompa and then on to Trongsa and then to Jakar, Bumthang’s main village.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 1: Kathmandu - Paro — Fly from Kathmandu to Paro on a Druk Air flight which offers the most fascinating aerial views of the Himalayas including Everest and Kanchendzonga. At first glimpse, the Bhutanese landscape will mesmerize you with its green rolling mountains, river valleys, waterfalls and the great snowcapped Himalayan peaks. The flight takes about 1 hour to arrive at Paro Airport. Check in at a hotel and afternoon relaxation. In the evening, we will use our free time to explore the city. Overnight in a hotel in Paro Day 2: Paro Sightseeing — Today we will go sightseeing in and around Paro. Our first stop is the Taktsang monastery or Tiger’s nest. The climb up to the top of the Monastery will take around three hours. It was here that Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. The monastery took its present modern shape in 1684. Further, we will visit the old fort ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong. The dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you could see the Mt. Jhomolhari (7314metres/24000 feet) on the horizon. Built in 1656, Ta Dzong is an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This unusual round building is believed to be in the shape of a conch shell. Paro Rimpung Dzong, literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and represents the finest example of Bhutanese architecture. Our final tour takes us to Kichu Lhakhang which was built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demons living the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries Overnight in a hotel in Paro Day 3: Paro - Thimphu — We will go for a morning visit to the courtyard of 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. Kichu Lhakhang was built by Tibetan King Trsongsan Gampo, and is one of the 108 chortens he built all across the Himalayas to suppress the influence of demons. Later we will drive towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. After lunch, we will visit National Memorial Chorten built by Queen mother in memory of Lt. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight in a hotel in Thimphu. Day 4: Thimphu –Punakha — Today we will go on a morning drive to Punakha via Simtokha Dzong. The trail takes us through the beautiful pine forest and rural villages as we close in on the mountains on the horizon. It is at reaching Dochula Pass (10,500 feet) that views of the Himalayas become spectacular. Overnight in a hotel in Punakha. Day 5: Punakha Sigthseeing. — Punakha used to be the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is one of the best places to explore and learn about medieval Dzongs. Among them Punakha Dzong is one of the most important in the kingdom situated in the middle of two rivers (Pho chu and Mo chu). After lunch you will hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, dedicated to the Fifth King of Bhutan. The Chorten built to remove negative forces and to provide peace, stability and harmony, took eight and a half years to build. Overnight at hotel in Punakha. We will also visit the Crown Princes’ Monastery and Chimey Lhakhang. Built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa, Ngawang Choegyel, the site was once blessed by the famous ‘divine madman’, Drukpa Kunley,. The chorten is a pilgrim site, especially for women who wish for fertility. Overnight in a hotel in Punakha. Day 6: Punakha-Wangdue- Thimphu — After morning breakfast today, we will go sightseeing around Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. The dzong was established in 1638 AD by Zhabdrung Rinpoche to fortify against any invasion from south. After lunch drive back to Thimphu. In Thimphu, we will visit the National Library to see ancient Buddhist manuscripts and traditional art school. The Traditional Medicine Institute showcases ancient Bhutanese practices of making medicine. We will additionally visit Handicraft Emporium, an art and textile center, Bhutanese traditional paper making factory, the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and 15th century Changangkha monastery. Overnight in a hotel in Thimphu. Day 7: Thimphu – Paro — Today we will have a relaxing day. In the morning hours we will take a leisurely stroll out to the Weekend Market. You can buy handicraft and other traditional souvenirs as well as observer the lifestyle of Bhutanese people. In the afternoon, we will drive to Paro. Overnight in a hotel in Paro. Day 8: Paro-Kathmandu — You will take morning flight to Kathmandu from Paro Airport.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Kathmandu - Paro — Fly from Kathmandu to Paro on a Druk Air flight which offers the most fascinating aerial views of the Himalayas including Everest and Kanchendzonga. At first glimpse, the Bhutanese landscape will mesmerize you with its green rolling mountains, river valleys, waterfalls and the great snowcapped Himalayan peaks.+