Bhutan Tour

Thimpu is the capital of Bhutan. It has approximately 90,000 people and is a very much laid-back town. The wide streets that are lined by trees give you a relaxed feel. Early in the morning, we will take a 15-minute guided walk to the Memorial Chorten. The shrine was built in memory of the late king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who has wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Many Bhutanese will stop by here every day to pray. Memorial Chorten is continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Later in the day, we will start our sightseeing by visiting the Zilukha Nunnery on the outskirts of Thimphu. 70 nuns live there and run their daily chores in the nunnery. It is a magnificent view from this nunnery. Then the tour will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang. Later we will visit the traditional paper factory. We will learn how paper is done from the daphne plant. The factory does produce a unique type of paper called rice paper, it is said to last longer than the normal paper. Evening drive past Tashichhodzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch’s throne room, and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architecture. Overnight at hotel, Thimphu

In the morning you will be driven to Punakha, which is the old winter capital of Bhutan. On the way we will drive up to Dochula pass, stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the Chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags that decorate the highest point on the road. If the skies are clear, you will be able to view the the following peaks (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zong Huang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Later we will continue our journey to Punakha valley and visit the Punakha Dzong. It was built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. If possible, we can have your picnic lunch planned at Chendebji Chorten (Stupa) which is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. A lama named Shida is said to have been behind the construction, which was undertaken to pin down a mischievous local spirit. It is a popular picnic lunch and pilgrimage for Bhutanese driving east-west roads.

After breakfast, we will drive west via dochula pass 3080 m, weather permitting we will enjoy the Bhutan Himalaya peaks above 7000 mts. Upon reaching Paro we will visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. Afterward, we can walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. 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. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After early breakfast at the hotel drive to Paro airport for your sensational take-off and scenic Himalayan flight past Chomolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest peak. Important Note : Your safety is of paramount importance to us at Mount Adventure Holidays. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full cooperation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by Mount Adventure Holidays. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.