Central Bhutan Tour

Cultural Tours offers a wide array of fabled destinations, custom designed itineraries, tailor made travel programs. All published Programs are locally hosted with professional English Speaking Guide for all transfers and sightseeing excursions. Guests are met at the Airport upon arrival by a professional English speaking guide, and are in the care of our carefully chosen correspondents throughout their stay.

Trip Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1: Arrival at Paro

Paro Elevation: 2,280m

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your host/guide from Bhutan Ratna Yoebar Tours. In the evening, take a stroll around Paro town followed by Welcome dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Attractions of the day:

• Paro Dzong or the Rinpung Dzong – Fortress of the heap of Jewels.
• Ta Dzong: It is the National Museum, a conical watch tower overlooking the Rinpung Dzong.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing in and around Paro valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Attractions of the day:

• Kichu Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7^th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Jampey Lhakhang in Bumthang.
• Dungtse Lhakhang: An unusual Chorten-like temple that was built in 1433 by the iron-bridge builder Thangthong Gyalpo.
• Drugyel Dzong: The ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, The Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa People stands on a scenic knoll at one end of Paro valley. It was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate victory over Tibetan invasions.

Day 3: Paro to Wangdue

Wangdue Elevation: 1,240 m

Early morning drive to Wangdue Phodrang via Punakha. Overnight stay at Wangdue.

Attractions of the day:

• Punakha Dzong: The second of Bhutan’s Dzongs built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche. The official name is Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which translates as “The Palace of Great Bliss”.
• Chhimi Lhakhang: The fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint and a folk hero popularly known as The Divine Madman.

Day 4: Wangdi to Trongsa

Trongsa Elevation: 2,180 m

Drive to Trongsa Valley. Enroute visit Chendebje Chorten, Tongsa Dzong and Ta-Dzong. Overnight stay at Trongsa.

• Chendebje Chorten: The impressive stupa was built in the traditional Nepalese style and is situated on a river confluence.
• Trongsa Dzong: It is one of the finest spectacular examples of Bhutanese architecture. It is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family.
• Ta Dzong: Built in 1652, today this watchtower serves as National Museum, monastic residence and a place of meditation.

Day 5: Trongsa to Bumthang

Bumthang Elevation: 2,580 m

Travel to Bumthang, followed by evening walk around Bumthang valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang valley sightseeing.

Sightseeing in and around Bumthang, overnight stay at Bumthang.

Highlights of the day:

• Jakar Dzong: It is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley. Jakar Dzong roughly translates as the The Castle of the White Bird.
• Jampey Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7^th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
• Tamzhing Goemba: Also called The Temple of Good Message, it was built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa.
• Kenchosum Lhakhang: A small temple dating back to 6^th or 7^th century, it’s a source of many interesting stories.
• Kurje Lhakhang: The name kurjey translates into kur – body and jey – print. Guru Rinpoche has left his body print on a rock inside the main old Lhakhang.

Day 7: Excursion to Ura Valley

Visit Membartsho and hike to Ura valley. Overnight stay at Bumthang.

• Membartsho: The burning lake is named so after Terton (Treasure Discoverer) Pema Lingpa went into the lake with a butter lamp in his hands and came back with the butter lamp still burning and holding a statue and treasure chest (Terma).
• Ura valley: Southeast of Jakar, Ura is the highest of the Bumthang valleys and one of the interesting villages in Bhutan. Trip from Jakar to Ura takes about 1 to 2hrs (48km). Ura gets a rush of visitors during Ura Yakchoe festival.

Day 8: Travel to Wangdue

Early morning drive to Wangdue Phodrang via Phobjikha Valley and overnight at Wangdue.

• Phobjikha: Also referred to as Gangtey after the Temple that sits on a ridge above the valley. Because of the large flocks of Blacked-Necked Cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country.

Day 9: Wangdue to Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu, the Capital City. Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu.

Attractions of the day:

• Visit Arts and crafts school
• Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced
• Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan.
• Buddha Point- 169 feet Buddha Dordenma statue.

Day 10: Thimphu Cultural Programme

Attractions of the day:

• Visit Mini Zoo at Motithang which houses Takin, National animal of Bhutan
• Drive up to Sangaygang view point – to glimpse a clear picture of Thimphu Valley.
• Short Wangditse hike
• The Centenary Farmers Market that retails agricultural farm produce
• Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores.

Day 11: Excursion to Taktshang

Day hike to Taktshang Monastery view point. The Taktshang or The Tiger’s nest Monastery clings precariously to a cliff of 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. The legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress, a manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tshogyal, to subdue a local demon. He meditated in a cave for three months. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the view point opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and a mystical experience. Farewell dinner and overnight at Paro.

Day 12: Departure

Depart from Paro International Airport to your homeland. Your Guide will escort you to bid you farewell and safe journey back home.

Note: The itineraries can be tailored to suit your interest and convenience.

Daily Tariff (High tourist season):
US $250 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the Month of March, April, May, September, October, November

Daily Tariff (low tourist season):
US $ 200 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the month of January, February, June, July, August, December

All the tours can be customized and clients can request extra services.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT US $ 30 PER NIGHT PER PERSON.
FIT surcharges 1 pax US $ 40 per day per person.
FIT surcherges 2 pax US $ 30 per day per person.

Cost Includes:
1. All Permits
2. Museum Fees
3. All Sightseeing
4. Walks and Hikes
5. Bottled Mineral Water
6. English Speaking Guide
7. Double/Twin in 2/3 Star Accomodation
8. Receive and Transfer to Airport
9. 3 Meals every day with Evening Tea
10. Toyota SUV for FIT & Toyota Bus for Group with Driver

Cost Does Not Include:
1. Insurance
2. Inbound Airfare
3. Gifts & Souvenirs
4. Alcohol & Beverages
5. Round Trip Air fare
6. Donations to Monasteries
7. International Telephone Calls
8. Tips for Guide, Driver & other Staff

Note:
TCB Licensed language Speaking Guides US $ 100 per day.
Tour price is based on High Season Tariff of US $ 250. For low season months it will be based on Low Season Tariff of US $ 200