11 Nights 12 Days Bhutan Tour, 12 Days Bhutan Trip

Overview

Take an extensive tour of 12 days to go round Bhutan. Through this 12 days historical tour of Bhutan you will be able to visit the major cities of Bhutan discovering the glorious history of this kingdom. Your friendly local guide during this customized tour will tell you every detail you wish to know about the place and its attractions.

Visit the National Museum-Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong having fascinating history. Visit some of the major fortresses among which Drukgyel Dzong is a ruined fortress and the oldest fortress is Simtokha Dzong. Pay a visit to the magnificent fortress or monastery of medieval period- King's Memorial Chhorten and Trashichhodzong. Do not miss to visit a traditional farm house, if you wish to peep into the lifestyle of local people.

Being a holy nation, Bhutan is blessed with many monasteries, shrines and gompas like Kyichu Lhakhang (the oldest shrine). These monasteries reflect the rich cultural heritage of the nation.
Visit the local markets, libraries and museums to observe the traditional art and crafts of this place. Walk through the Gangtey village, visiting the Gangtey Gompa, the sole Nyingmapa monastery of this region.
Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong, Khamsm Yulley Namgyal Chhorten and Wangdue Dzong are some of the major tourist spots you will visit during this tailor-made tour.
Watching the black necked cranes at Phobjikha valley will be a treat for your eyes. Visit Trongsa crossing the Pele la pass and enjoy an evening stroll in the Trongsa market during your trip to Bhutan.

Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong represent the classic Bhutanese architecture; will be there in your itinerary. Also visit the religious land of this kingdom-Bumthang, where you will be able to admire its beautiful valleys Choekhor, Chumey, Tang and Ura.
Take a historical trip of the pilgrimage sites like Kurje Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang, followed by a visit to Chimi Lhakhang nestled on a hillock. A visit to the popular Monastery, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo (which is similar to that of Tibet’s Lhasa JOWO) will also be on the cards.
An exciting visit to Bondey village will make you feel one among the locals. An enchanting view of Mt. Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey from Chele-la pass will keep you awe-stricken! With such a well planned tour itinerary you will have an amazing tour of Bhutan.

Detailed Itinerary

day

01

Arrive Paro by Druk Air

Druk Airways flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, each flight is a mesmerizing aeronautical feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom.

On arrival at Paro airport, immigration and custom formalities and then received by our representative and transfer to the hotel.

Evening take a stroll around town's main street. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
day

02

Paro

After breakfast, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) and then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.

Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies. Then visit a traditional farm house which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.

In the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
day

03

Paro / Thimphu (60 km, 2 hours)

After breakfast proceed to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Enroute stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro river joins Thimphu river. Nearby Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

Afternoon, in Thimphu, visit King's Memorial Chhorten and Trashichhodzong, beautiful medieval fortress/monastery.

Then, visit Handicrafts Emporium, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum followed by visit local market.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
day

04

Thimphu - Punakha (70 km, 3 hours)

Morning, Thimphu sightseeing, visiting National Library, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute.

After lunch, drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. Stop enroute at Dochula pass (3,050m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan.

On arrival, check into the hotel. Evening visit Punakha Dzong, the fortress of 17th century and later visit Khamsm Yulley Namgyal Chhorten.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
day

05

Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Gangtey (70 km, 3 hours)

After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit majestic Wangdue Dzong and interesting local market.

Further ahead pass through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching at Gangtey (Phobjikha).

Evening take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.

Overnight at Camp / Guest House.
day

06

Gangtey / Trongsa (120 km, 4.1/2 hours)

Morning explore Phobjikha valley which is famous for Black Necked Cranes. The cranes migrate here from Central Asiatic plateau to escape its harsh winters.

After lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass. Evening visit Trongsa market.

Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa. Enquire Now
day

07

Trongsa / Bumthang (68 km, 3 hours)

Morning visit Trongsa Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture and see Ta Dzong, the watch tower, built to defend this Dzong and surrounding region.

After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
day

08

Bumthang

Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley.

Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country.

Evening visit local shops. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
day

09

Bumthang / Wangduephodrang (205 km, 7 hours)

Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Wangdue. Lunch would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town.

Evening take a stroll around Wangdue town, visiting shops, local market and mingling with people.

Overnight at the hotel in Wangduephodrang.
day

10

Wangduephodrang / Paro (77 km, 3 hours)

Morning excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatise his teachings and due to this also known as ‘Divine Madman'. This temple is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning 'field'. It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to Chimi Lhakhang.

Afteroon drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
day

11

Paro (Excursion to Haa valley)

Start the day early for drive to Haa via Chele-la pass. 4 Km away at Bondey village the road to Haa diverts towards the right hand side and the climb up towards the chele-la pass starts. After driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for 45 km,Ha Valley Bhutan reach Chele-la pass (4200 meters). From this point one can have a superb views of Mount. Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view. Drive on to Haa, descending all the way for another 22 km (under an hours drive), finally reaching Haa.

The Haa Dzong is presently occupied by military, but the view from outside is stunning. After picnic lunch visit the famous Monastery Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed by visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). The central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to have no difference with that of Lhasa JOWO in Tibet. The construction of the Lakhang Karpo is believed to have been assisted by the locality. As a result the place came to be locally known as 'Hay' meaning' surprise' which later became 'Haa' due to the differences in interpretations and pronunciations of different people over time.

The three giant hills looming over the fringes of Haa valley were called 'Me Rig Puen Sum' especially after the incidence of the Lhakhang Kdarpo construction. Today the three hills are popularly known as 'Rig Sum Goenpa' signijfying three deities-Jambayang Chana Dorji and Chenrizig.

Later, other Buddhist saints like Guru Rinpoche and 'Machi Labdorn' came to the Jungney Drag in Haa and blessed the locality. The principal religion followed is Drukpa Kagyud. After the arrival of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the chief guardian deity of Haa became Ap Chundu.

Later in the afternoon drive to Paro same way back. The drive will be under 3 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Paro. Enquire Now
day

12

Depart Paro

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Enquire Now

Domestic

International

11 Nights / 12 Days - Bhutan Tour - Historical

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

day

More Bhutan Packages