West Bhutan Tour & Shikkim Tour

Paro Valley: Sightseeing and Exploration Day

The stunning Paro is one of most widest and greenest valleys of Bhutan. This major hub of Bhutan is dotted with the fertile rice fields, ornate monastery, prayer flags and serene Paro River (Pa Chu) which flows down the valley. Paro is probably the best destination to explore on foot. Followings are the major sightseeing spots we explore during our Paro tour in Bhutan:

Rinpung Dzong

Rinpung Dzong was built in 1646 by Shabdring Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Recently, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of district administrative head and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. We walk through the Nemi Bridge over a stone inlaid path that displays good view of the architecture wonder of the Dzong and surrounding areas.

Ta Dzong

Ta Dzong watch tower was built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley war in 17th century. It now serves as the National museum of the country which protects extensive collections of art, relics, religious thangkhas and Bhutan’s Postage stamps.

Drukgyel Dzong

Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this Dzong is the symbol of victory over Tibetan invaders. Though destroyed by catastrophic fire in 1951, the ruins of Dzong are worth exploring and to the north, it commands fascinating dome of sacred Chomolhari Mountain.

Kyichu Lhakhang

One of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom, Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 7th century that comprises two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in 7th century and 1968, the Queen mother of Bhutan built the second temple in original pattern.

Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)

Taktshang Monastery also known as Tiger’s Nest, it is one of most fascinating Bhutan’s monastery perched majestically at sheer 800m rock face. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of Tigress and medicated at this monastery and hence it is named Tiger’s nest.
We drive to the foothill of Taktshang hill, the hiking point of monastery. It takes 2-3 hours of gradual climb to reach the monastery; pony back riding can arranged if you are content with walking.

Farm House (traditional village house)

We explore the quaint farmhouse to learn the authentic Bhutanese way of life and traditional way of farming. It is very interesting trip that offers the fascinating view of lifestyle of a farmer.

Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan is the center of government, religion and commerce of the country. Thimpu city is the great example of modern development mixed with ancient tradition. Following are the major point of interest in and around Thimpu:

Memorial Chorten 

This sacred shrine was built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King in 1974 who is popularly known as the Father of modern Bhutan. The painting and statue of chorten is the great example of Bhutanese fascinating art and philosophy.

Simtokha Dzong

Built in 1627, this ancient Dzong is located on low ridge about 8 km away from central Bhutan. It houses Institute of Language and Cultural Studies. The array of 300 finely worked slates carving behind the prayer wheel in the courtyard describes the beauty of the Dzong.

National Library

National Library protects the ancient history of Bhutan in archaic texts form. There are thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts along with modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Institude of Zori Chusum

Also known as Institute of arts & crafts or Painting school, this school provides 6 years course on 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan for young monks.

Traditional Medicine Institute

This medical institute boosts tradition way of healing like acupuncture and also makes research on traditional medicines. It serves as training institute for medicine practitioners.

The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim)

This exquisite museum is built to connect people with Bhutan rural past through exhibitions, demonstrations, educational programs and displaying documentary on rural life.

National Textile Museum

National Textile Museum displays the six major theme – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, roles of textile in region, achievement on textile art, textile from indigenous fibers and the royal collection. This museum is setup to carryout documentation, research and studies on ancient Bhutanese textiles.

Trashichhoe Dzong

Trashichhoe Dzong, also known as the fortress of the glorious region, was built in 1641 and later reconstructed by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. It houses the main secretariat building which houses the throne of His Majesty, the king of Bhutan.

Takin Preserve, Motithang

We also make tour to Takin Preserve that protect rare national animal of Bhutan. It is believed that this animal was created by the great Buddhist Yogi, Drupa Kunley.

Drive: Thimpu – Gangtey via Punakha & Wangiphodrang (6 hour drive)

After breakfast, we drive east climbing steeply towards the Dochu La Pass to Gangtey crossing Punakha & Wangriphodrang. We stop at Dochu La pass where large chorten and forest of prayer flags greets you. To north, you can explore Chomolhari (sacred mountain in Bhutan) and Gangar Punsum among other unclimbed peaks in the world. We also visit Chime Lhakhang which is famously known for fertility blessing.

We drive to Punakha Dzong which was built in 16th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Mangyal and was winter capital for 300 years. Presently, it serves as winter home to the Je Khenpo, the chief Abbot and also the administrative hub for the Punakha district. Downstream to Punakha valley lies Wangiphodrang. It is strategically located at the ridge overlooking the confluence of Sunkoshi Tangchu Rivers, it is entrance point to eastern and western Bhutan. It is said that Makahala, the protective deity of Bhutan urged Shabdrung of a prediction, to build Dzong at the top rocky spur where two rivers meet and where a flock of raven flies into four directions. So Shabdring built the Dzong in 1638. Punakha and Wangdi valley is also winter residence for high altitude farmers who migrate to this place in search of warm shelter.

After lunch, we drive to Gangtey, one of most beautiful wide valley in Bhutan. Gangtey shelters black necked cranes (grus nigricllis) which migrates to Bhutan every mid-November from Tibet. Here you will visit yellow roofed monastery headed by the Gantey tulku (ninth reincarnation to bear the name).

Activity & Duration

6 hour drive

If you are bird lover, an early morning visit to the National Park can be arranged. After breakfast, we continue towards Pela La Pass via Black Mountains which divides eastern and western Bhutan. We drive through the lush forest of rhododendron and magnolias along with grazing yaks admiring the great views of Jumolhari. After 4-5 hour drive, we reach Trongsa. It houses massive white washed stone chorten that was built in 18th century which is much more similar to Swayambhunath of Nepal. This temple was built to subdue an evil demon that was a menace to the valley.

Trongsa

As you drive towards Trongsa, we get spectacular view of Tongsa Dzong in distance. We stop for lunch at Tongsa Lodge and visit Tongsa Dzong. It is comfortable wayside inns run by Tibetan residents. Built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the masterpiece of architecture is incredible that includes countless courtyards, passageways and corridors plus 23 temples inside the Dzong. Next, we drive towards Bumthang and stay overnight.

Bumthang

Bumthang is different for other valleys of Kingdom. It is wide and spacious valley ranging from an altitude of 2600m to 4000m. Almost every corner and hills of the valley has strong linkage with myth and legends about king, Buddhist saints and serpents. The valley is dotted with numerous Buddhist monastery and pilgrimage sites. Bumthang also houses the relics left by Guru Rinpoche and his reincarnation the Treasure Finder, Terton Pemalinga. It is believed that Terton Pemalinga found the revered Ters, a Buddhist text after diving in to a Mebartsho Lake with a lighted lamp on head.

Moreover, Jakhor Dzong and 7th century Jambe and Tamshing Lhakhangs are worth exploring in Bumthang. A trip to Bumthang Matha region allows you to explore rich woolen plaid textiles dyed with natural colors and the Yatas, a thin woolen cloth with bright pattern.

Activity & Duration

6 hours

Today, we drive back to Wangdiphodrang via same route. At Wangdiphodrang, we stroll around the local market to learn about the Bhutanese lifestyle and culture.

Activity & Duration

8 hours

Today, we drive from Punakha & Wangiphodrang to Phuncholing through forested route of rhododendron and pine and cross several isolated hamlets.

Today, we meet our representative at Bhutan-India border. After completing immigration and custom formalities, we drive to picture town Darjeeling with frequent switchbacks.

After breakfast, we drive to Gangkot that takes 4 hours of switchback drive. We make an excursion to Tshangu Lake and overnight at hotel golden pagoda.

After breakfast, we set for exploration of picturesque town of Gangtok. We visit Directorate of Handicraft & Handsome, Enchey Monastery, Research Institute of Tibetology, Chorten, Rutek Monastery and Orchid Sanctuary.

After breakfast, we drive all the way from Gangtok to Bhadrapur (Nepal). We stroll around the Bhadrapur city to explore the local culture and way of living.

After breakfast, we catch a flight from Bhadrapur to Kathmandu to end our 12 days Western Bhutan and Shikkim Tour.