Drukyul Tours
Duration : 11 Days
TOUR CODE - IHP0010
Drukyul Tours is for eleven days and it covers some of the most important places and monumental sites in Bhutan
Day 1 Arrival (L,D) Paro
Arrive at Paro where you will be welcomed by the representative form Mysterious Bhutan Tours and Adventures at the airport. Then after having completed the arrival formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening you will have enough time to see around Paro valley. If time permits, we will visit Paro town, Dungtse Temple by the end of the day.
Day 2 (B, L, D) Paro – Thimphu
After breakfast, we drive to Thimphu which will take an hour. On the way, we will visit Iron Chain bridge and walk across which will give you thrill of experiences. Just about seven kilometers before reaching the capital city, you will have glimpse of 17th Century built Dzong(fortress) Simtokha Dzong on the ridge from on the right side.
On this day in Thimphu, we will visit the Largest Statue, Buddha Dordenma a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters).
Visit Folk heritage museum at Kawajangsa, a traditional farmhouse which provides a glimpse into traditional Bhutanese life.
Visit National Textile Museum, and get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles National Memorial Chorten, a large impressive Stupa with its golden spire built to honour the memory of Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji wangchuk.
Drive up to Sangaygang which would give the best view of the whole Thimphu. On the way back, visit the Takin preserve the national animal of Bhutan. Takintook its birth from the cross breeding of the cow and a goat. According to the legendary beliefs Takin is the creation of the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley
Some of the other attractions in Thimphu are:
- Changgangkha Temple
- Trashichhodzong
- Zangdopelri Temple
- Simtokha Dzong
- Night at Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3 (B,L,D) Thimphu
After breakfast, we drive about 12 km north of Thimphu to hike Tango and Cheri Monasteries. Hike will take about 45 minutes to one hour depending on how strong you are in uphill walk to both the monasteries. We will carry packed lunch where we will have lunch at Dodena which is the starting point of our hike to Cheri monastery. In the evening, at leisure time, visit local handicrafts shops in Thimphu or just walk around the Capital city. Night at Thimphu.
Day 4 (B, L, D) Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. On the way to Punakha, stop at Dochu-La Pass about 10500 feet (3150m), for a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalayas. In clear sky, you can view seven mountains including the majestic Gangkar Puensum. The road descends through the ever-changing tress reaching the Punakha valley.
There at Punakha, visit the most impressive Punakha Dzong at the location of two Rivers, Pho- Chu and Mo- Chu (Male and Female River). If time permits, drive back to hike Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. The hike will take about half an hour. Childless couples come from all over the country to ask for children and it is widely believed that their prayers are answered. Overnight stay at Punakha.
Day 5 (B, L,D) Punakha – Trongsa
En-route to Trongsa, stop to visit Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 17 century. After the visit, continue drive to Trongsa. After few Kilometers of drive, the road snakes up towards Pele-La pass 10825 feet (3,300m) through the middle of dense forest. The Pele- La is the traditional boundary between eastern and western Bhutan in former times. Along the way visit Chendebji Chorten built in 18th century, where lunch is also served. After driving through forest of magnolia, rhododendron, sparsely inhabited villages, on the unending narrow road, finally reaches Trongsa. Overnight halt at Trongsa.
Day 6 (B, L,D) Trongsa – Bumthang
In the morning, visit Trongsa dzong the largest and magnificent of all 21 dzongs. This dzong was built in 1644 by Chhogyel Mingyur Tenpa, a representative of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal sent to pacify the eastern portions of the country. It was enlarged at the end of the 17th century. Trongsa dzong is the ancestral home of the present royal family.
Then continue drive uphill until Yotong-La pass. Then the road descends through varied forests, emerging into beautiful Bumthang Valley.
After lunch, visit Jampay Lhakhang, one of 108 temples built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo in 659 AD on a single day.
Then in the evening take a leisure walk around Chamkhar town line along the crystal clear Chamkhar River.
Night at Hotel in Bumthang.
Day 7 (B, L,D) Bumthang
In the morning after breakfast, visit Kurjey Lhakhang. Kurjey Lhakang, also known as Kurjey Monastery, is the final resting place of the remains of the first three kings of Bhutan. Kurjey is complex of three temples, on the right beneath a giant cypress tree, the main temple built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. This temple houses the cave where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and left his body imprint. The middle temple was built by the First King of Bhutan during his tenure as Trongsa Penlop in 1900. The third temple is recently constructed under patronage of Her Majesty queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk. Visit Tamshing Monastery, located opposite Kurjey Lhakhang was founded by treasure discoverer, Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501.He is believed to be the reincarnation of Guru Rimpoche, and he discovered many religious treasures around the country. Drive to Mebertsho (Burning Lake. This is the place Religious discoverer Terton Pema Lingpa in the early 16th century discovered many religious items from here. Night halt at Bumthang
Day 8 (B, L,D) Bumthang – Punakha
After early breakfast, we drive back from Bumthang to Punakha. En-route, visit beautiful Phobjikha valley a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains. This is valley is also the nesting ground of black necked crane in winter. By evening reaches Punakha and overnight halt in the hotel.
Day 9 (B,L,D) Punakha – Thimphu
In the morning after breakfast, drive back to Thimphu and en-route, stop for a lunch at Dochu- La resort from where you have majestic view of highest mountains. After lunch, continue to Thimphu and in the evening, you have enough time to do leisurely shopping in the market. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 10 (B,L,D) Thimphu – Paror
It takes about an hour to reach Paro so it is advisable to do final look around Thimphu and leave for Paro to reach at lunch. At Paro after lunch, make a visit to Drugyal Dzong(now in ruin). Drugyal Dzong was built sometimes in 1647 to celebrate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans. Then visit Kyichu lhakhang which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo.
Day 11 (B) Departures
After early morning breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward destination.