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Highlights of Bhutan(6 Nights)

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

for Off-Beat Traveller, Family Traveller, Heritage Traveller

Holiday Overview

Rinpung Dzong - Photo Courtesy Cfynn
Drugyel Dzong Photo Courtesy Pradyot
Punakha Dzong - Photo Courtesy Lohen11
Chimi Lhakhang (Photo Courtesy: amanderson2)
The National Memorial Chorten (Nivalink Trip Dated - 26 March 2008)
Tashichho Dzong Monastery (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Tashichho Dzong (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Inside of Tashichho Dzong

Bhutan holds many surprises as you will experience the natural charm of the country. Punakha Dzong is postcard perfect and monastic, Thimphu valley delights with its cultural attractions and Chele La Pass a beautiful narrow road bringing in picturesque landscape surroundings.

Route

Thimphu(1) - Punakha(2) - Paro(3)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Sightseeing
  • Day-2 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing
  • Day-3 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha)
  • Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-5 Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-6 Excursion to Chele-La-Pass
  • Day-7 Paro Airport
Sightseeing Summary

Paro - Ta Dzong - National Museum (1.00 kms), Rinpung Dzong (1.60 kms), Kyichu Temple (5.00 kms), Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest (10.00 kms), Drugyel Dzong (17.00 kms), Chele La Pass (37.00 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (50.00 kms), Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (55.00 kms)

Punakha - Punakha Dzong (1.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (30.00 kms)

Thimphu - National Folk Heritage Museum (0.50 kms), Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (4.50 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (5.00 kms), Dochu La Pass Thimphu (23.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (65.00 kms), Punakha Dzong (73.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Paro Departure - Paro
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)
Route

Paro - Thimphu(1) - Punakha(2) - Paro(3)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Sightseeing Arrival at Paro Airport, transfer to Thimphu- the capital city of Bhutan. Afternoon start for half day Thimphu sightseeing consist of Kuensel Phodrang ( Huge Buddha Statue), King's (National) Memorial Chorten - This Chorten was built in 1974 in a typical Tibetan style and also a center of worship. Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion) - The Dzong is the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body and Folk Heritage Museum.

Day-2 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing After breakfast, drive to Punakha / Wangdue via Dochu-La-Pass (3150 mts) for Himalayan views. Visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637. Take a short excursion trip to visit the Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as “The Temple of Fertility” was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

Day-3 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha) After breakfast, full day excursion trip to Gangtey(9,840 ft). Gangtey is the home of Black Necked Crane which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north. It is a beautiful valley of Bhutan. You can also visit Gangtey Gompha and return back in evening.

Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing After breakfast drive to Paro (7,483 ft) via making a stop at Lamperi to visit Royal Botanical Park. Visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc. Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels".

Day-5 Paro Sightseeing After breakfast visit Drukgyel Dzong. Also visit famous Taktsang Monastery - called “Tiger's Nest” (2hrs hike from the base camp) & Kyichu Monastery.

Day-6 Excursion to Chele-La-Pass Day trip to Chele-La-Pass (13,088 ft.) – the highest motorable road in Bhutan. Enjoy the scenic beauty & memorable landscapes from Chele-La-Pass and return to Paro.

Day-7 Paro Airport  After breakfast check out from hotel and drop at Paro Airport for your onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Paro :

  • Ta Dzong - National Museum - Ta Dzong is a circular fortress that once protected this valley from the Tibetan invasion. It is now the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.

  • Rinpung Dzong - Rinpung Dzong is a impressive structure built in 1646 and is the administrative seat containing a monastic community of about 200 members.

  • Kyichu Temple - Kyichu temple, ten minutes drive from Paro and is one of the oldest temples in the country dating as far back as the 7th century. H

  • Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest - Taktshang Hermitage (also known as Tigers Nest) lies on the face of a 1000 m cliff. The place is highly sacred to the Bhutanese in that they believe Guru Rinpoche, the father of Bhutanese Buddhism landed here on the back of a tigress

  • Drugyel Dzong - Drugyel Dzong was built in 1647 and offers stunning views of the Mount Jumolhari (7314 meters or 24000 ft) on a clear day.

  • Chele La Pass - Chele la (pass) at an elevation 13000 ft asl is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour's drive from Paro as it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

Punakha :

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

Thimphu :

  • National Folk Heritage Museum - The National Folk Heritage Museum showcases rural life. Exhibits and cultural shows are held in the museum compound. Open: Mon-Fri 10:30 AM to 4:30PM Sat 10:30 AM to 1 PM Sun 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Dochu La Pass Thimphu - Dochu La Pass is at an elevation of 10334 ft and is located on the way to Punakha from Thimpu with an overlooking view of the snow covered Himalayas. Over here, 108 memorial chortens / stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” have been built in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in 2003 war. On a clear day, one can see the Eastern Himalayas with 7 mountain peaks including Gangkar Punsum (Bhutan's highest peak).

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

Destination Overview

Thimphu - Thimphu is capital city of Bhutan and one of the most visited destinations of Bhutan. Thimphu is a city offering an old world charm of a Himalayan Kingdom alongwith Monasteries, museums and a distinct heritage character.

Punakha - Punakha Valley is a riverside town and rice bowl of Bhutan and is renowned for the countryside character it offers.

Paro - The beautiful Paro valley provides a visitor with all the essential elements of Bhutan in general. Ancient temples, massive forts, monasteries, picturesque villages, scenic hikes, and drives. Zhiwa Ling is in close proximity to the many attractions the Paro valley has to offer

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageParo
Prefered Departure : No ImageParoNo ImageFalakata(205kms), Siliguri(300kms)
Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

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Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email bhu-43@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Highlights of Bhutan.

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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