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Bhutan short break with Gangtey Excursion(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 is a paradise for botanists and birders. Thimphu and Paro are 2 major cities of Bhutan offering beautiful sights with Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey) offering sightings of black necked cranes.

Route

Thimphu(2) - Punakha(2) - Paro(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu
  • Day-2 Thimphu Sightseeing
  • Day-3 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing
  • Day-4 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha)
  • Day-5 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-6 Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-7 Departure
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), The National Memorial Chorten (50.00 kms), Motithang Takin Preserve (50.00 kms), Changangkha Lhakhang (52.00 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), Changangkha Lhakhang (7.00 kms), Motithang Takin Preserve (10.00 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(2) - Punakha(2) - Paro(2)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Transfer to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. Evening explore the Thimpu town by walk.

Day-2 Thimphu Sightseeing  After breakfast visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Statue) a place for refreshing with a huge statue of Buddha on the top of the Kuensel Phodrang, National Memorial Chorten (Monument) & Folk Heritage Museum. Later on see Sangaygang View Point, Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve Centre, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen here, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion).

Day-3 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing After breakfast drive to Punakha / Wangdue, On the way Stop at Dochu-La-Pass (3150 mts.) for valley views. After noon visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Also see Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as “The Temple of Fertility” was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

Day-4 Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha) After breakfast, full day excursion trip to Gangtey (9,840 ft.). Gangtey The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. It’s surprising to find such a wide and flat valley without any trees. You can also visit Gangtey Gompha - Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey Monastery is the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.

Day-5 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing Visit Royal Botanic Park at Lamperi while traveling to Paro. Visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha and Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels".

Day-6 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-7 Departure After breakfast, proceed to airport for your flight back home.

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.

  • 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.

  • Motithang Takin Preserve - The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.

  • Changangkha Lhakhang - 15th century monastery and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thimphu Valley. It is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple offers excellent views of the valley.

  • 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.

  • Changangkha Lhakhang - 15th century monastery and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thimphu Valley. It is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple offers excellent views of the valley.

  • Motithang Takin Preserve - The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.

  • 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)

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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.

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