Western Bhutan Tour - 7 days

Your trip starts with a flight to Paro, and our Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures will receive you at the airport. After having lunch, you will be visiting Rinpung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong. You will be crossing a wooden bridge to Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship and It is built in a traditional Bhutanese style with courtyards and temples enclosed with high walls. The dzong also serves as the administrative, religious, military, and social center of the district.

Further, you will be visiting the oldest and one of the most sacred shrines of Bhutan, Kichu Lhakhang. The 7th-century temple features a 5-meter high statue of Guru Rinpoche and other Kurukulla or Red Tara. After sightseeing Paro, you will be driving to the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, in the evening.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Today you will be touring Thimphu and visiting different noteworthy places in the capital city of Bhutan. You will be visiting King’s Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the late king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It also stands as a symbol of world peace. Next, you will be visiting the School of Arts and Crafts, where you can see traditional Bhutanese paintings.

Your next stop is the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. The institute collects medicinal plants from the Himalayas of Bhutan and distributes medicines to regional healthcare all over Bhutan. It also has a small museum with over 300 herbs, minerals, and animal parts used in medicines.

Pay a visit to Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, which is known for its traditional handmade paper from the bark of the daphne bush. You will see the entire papermaking process, from soaking and boiling the bark to pressing and drying to paper. You can purchase the items like greeting cards, paper bags, lampshades, and others from the factory outlet. Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue, which is popularly called Buddha Point. The massive statue of Buddha dominates Thimphu’s skyline. 51.5 meters or 169 foot tall Buddha is one of the biggest statues of Buddha in the world.

Get a close-up view of the national animal of Bhutan, Takin, with a visit to Motithang Takin Preserve. Highly esteemed Takin is a rare king of goat-antelope found in the Eastern Himalayas. Early mornings are the best time to see Takin when they gather near the fence to feed.

Your next destination is an impressive Tashichho Dzong situated on the bank of Wang Chuu River. It houses the throne room of Bhutan’s King along with offices of the king, ministries of home affairs and finance, and other government offices. The dzong has been the center of the Bhutan government since 1952.

Overnight in Thimphu.

The day starts with a scenic drive to Punakha, and en route, you will be stopping at Dochula Pass, located at 3150 meters. On a clear day, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the majestic Himalayas from the mountain pass. The pass features 108 stupas built in the memory of soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army martyred in a 2003 battle against Indian rebels.

Continue the drive to Metshina village, followed by a short hike through rice fields to the Temple of Fertility, Chimi Lhakhang. The revered temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, also known as Diver Madman, is mostly visited by childless couples. A woman who desires to conceive is made to carry a wooden phallus in her hands and walk around the temple three times.

Further, you will be visiting Punakha Dzong, which lies at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu River. The way to one of the most beautiful and grand dzongs of Bhutan is over a wooden cantilever bridge on the Mo Chhu River. Significant occasions in Bhutanese history happened in the 17th century, Punakha Dzong, including the wedding of the 5th king of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2011.

Overnight in Punakha.

Today you will be heading to Phojikha after your breakfast. There will be a brief stopover to see Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, dramatically sitting on a ridge. Further, you will be continuing your journey on meandering roads through dense forest with rhododendron and oak trees till Lawala Pass. After which, you will come across dwarf bamboos. The pass overlooks the astounding view of the Himalayas, and after a while, you will reach Gangtey or Phobjikha Valley.

Phobjikha is an amazing bowl-shaped glacial valley situated against the backdrop of the Black Mountains and lies on the edge of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. The region is known as Gangtey after a monastery sitting on a ridge above the valley called Gangtey Goenpa. 17th-century Gangtey Goenpa is the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. During winter, rare Black-necked cranes migrate here from the high Tibetan plateau. The cranes are said to circle three times during their arrival and departure. The monastery also celebrates Black-Necked Crane Festival grandly each year.

Overnight in Phobjikha.

Today you will be driving back to Paro, and en route, you will be visiting the Royal Botanical Garden and Druk Wangyal Monastery. Royal Botanical Garden lies adjacent to Dochula Pass, while Druk Wangyal monastery is inside the pass.

Visit the Royal Botanic Garden, which happens to be the first botanical park of Bhutan. The botanical garden is spread in an area of around 125 acres or 51 ha. It also features 46 species of rhododendrons are the main highlight of the park, which bloom from mid-March to early August.

Moreover, you will be visiting Druk Wangyal Monastery, built in honor of the 4th king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It is built in traditional Bhutanese architecture and mesmerizes its visitors. Continue your drive to Paro, and you can explore the town of Paro in the evening.

Overnight in Paro.

Tiger’s Nest or Paro Taktsang is a must-visit place in Bhutan. The monastery located on a small cliff is one of the sacred places of Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated here in the 18th century. He is said to have flown in a tigress from Tibet and meditated inside a cave.

Enjoy a wonderful hike to the monastery perched on a hill around 3,000 feet above Paro Valley. The trail is lined with pine trees, and during the hike, the monastery appears and disappears out of the trees and mists. The monastery is an architectural delight, and the natural vista is pleasing. There are around eight caves, but only four are easily accessible.

Overnight in Paro.

After a wonderful western Bhutan tour, you will be bidding farewell to Bhutan. Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures will drop you at the international airport in Paro. You will be flying back with loads of memories to cherish for a lifetime.  

If you want to extend your trip to other countries, Nepal, Tibet, and India besides Bhutan, we can arrange it for you.