Bhutan Rural Village Experience Kingdom Tour $1,700.00

Day1: Arrive Bhutan to thimphu

The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will meet our guide,

Afternoon in Paro visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend RinpungDzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.

Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit RinpungDzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district.

Later Drive to Thimphu.

In the evening we will visit TashichhoDzong the main administrative building of the capital and walk through the town.

Day2: Thimphu sightseeing

After breakfast travel to Thimphu and check into your hotel. The full day Thimphu tour includes visit to the following:

The national memorial stupa built in memory of the late 3rd king of Bhutan.
Visit Buddha Point and offer your prayers to the largest Buddha statue in the country and walk around to enjoy the great view of Thimphu valley below.
Takin Preserve which houses the national animal- takin which is found only in Bhutan. Takin is an extremely rare member of goat family.
Changangkha Lhakhang is the main temple of the Thimphu. This popular fortress-like temple perched on a ridge above central Thimphu regularly hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century
The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thursday to Sunday) where farmers sell their farm produces (vegetables, fruits, cereals, spices, wild vegetable collections, livestock products etc and free interaction with local people who come shopping to this market, especially on weekends and the craft bazaar.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass. An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Dochula Festival will be held here at the Mountain pass.

Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Also visit Druk Wangyel Temple which was built to honour His Majesty, the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

We will drive to Mesina to visit the Fertility temple. Walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to conceive come here for blessing.

Day 4: Punakha Valley

Today after Breakfast we will drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. We will drive to upper Punakha via Punakha Dzong for a short Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Temple located at the upper Punakha Valley.
later we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Visit the DhoJhaGha Lam Temple, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river.

After Lunch drive to Wangdi valley and walk through the town.

Day 5: Punakha to Phobjikha

After breakfast, we will go to Phobjikha valley

Drive to Phobjikha after lunch. Phobjikha- is a bowl-shape valley on the western slopes of Black Mountain.

Optional: After lunch or in the next Morning visit Gantey Goenpa – This monastery is a major attraction with an old monastery date back to the 16 century.

Later walk around the valley which is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes, which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter to this valley.

Activity – We will go to the farm and collect our own vegetables (Potatoes are the main product of Phobjikha valley)

Dinner – We will be helping the host cook the dinner and also learn about the receipt.

Overnight at the beautiful farm house.

Day 6: Phobjikha Valley hike and sightseeing

Gangtey or Phobjikha at an average altitude of 3,000m is a wide and beautiful valley, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park (formerly known as Black Mountains National Park)

Early in the morning we will go near the house to help milk the cows, the cows in Bhutan are either domestic local cows or jersey breeds from Switzerland.

After the morning activity we will have fresh organic breakfast and butter tea.

After the breakfast we will go for hike though the beautiful gangtey valley, a picnic lunch will be organized and later we will have a traditional archery/khuru match.

In the evening we will visit Gangtey shedra for meditation and dharma teaching on our lives and eight fold path.

Later drive back to village and we will show you how to prepare the Medicinal stone bath (it is said to heal muscle aches, cramps, skin diseases and relax the ailing body.)

After the herbal bath we will have traditional dinner as per your choice,

Overnight at the beautiful farm house.

Day 7: Phobjikha to Paro

Today after well rest we will drive to Paro. We will do some sightseeing on way and also stop at Thimphu for while if there are any last minute shopping.

Visit the Tachog Temple. This 600 year old bridge crosses the Paro Chhu (Paro River) and was traditionally restored in 2005 after being washed away during a 1969 flood.

The bridge was originally built by the legendary Tibetan architect, physician, blacksmith and civil engineer Thangtong Gyalpo who is an important figure in Bhutanese and Tibetan history.

Later stroll through the town and rest in Resort.

Day 8: Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery

After breakfast, drive up to the base camp of Taktsang and then hike up to the most famous Monastery in the entire kingdom of Bhutan perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley.

The hike to the viewpoint will take about an hour and it will take 2 hours to the monastery. Lunch at the viewpoint or at Paro town. Later we will visit the Kichu Lhakhang. Its is one of the oldest and sacred temples in the Kingdom built 1300 years ago by the Tibetan king Songtshen Gyalpo to subdue the Ogress.

Day 9: Departure from Bhutan

In the morning, your tour guide from Yelha Bhutan Tours & Travels (local Bhutan travel agent) will escort you to Paro International Airport for your departure.