Cultural Heartland Tour in Bhutan
10 Days
$2,750
Per Person
Overview
The Monarchy of Bhutan snuggled high in the peaceful Himalaya is a place rich in bio-diversity, vivacious religion, exclusive arts, ancient history, cultural grandeur, heritage and picturesque landscapes. This cultural heartlands tour is truly designed for those who wish to explore the ancient culture of Bhutan.
Bhutan is a captivating land where time had yet stood still tranquil and is well-maintained the beauty of the magnificence of this mystic land of Mahayana Buddhism. Bhutan is also known as Shangri La - as this land is filled with ceaseless natural surroundings with a unique culture.
The main charisma of this tour is that you get to visit several Dzongs and monasteries in every town and villages, plus the ancient temples. We even hike to the most popular and visited spot by travelers i.e. Taktsang monastery also known as Tiger Nest Monastery (in local language).
The trekking to this thunder dragon land begins with a scenic airstrip to Paro and then we will start exploring Thimpu where we visit the chorten - constructed in the memory of the third king who ruled from 1952 - 1972. Other landmarks we visit are nunnery temple, zoo, museums, arts and painting school, and the Tashi Dzong. Next day, we drive to Punakha crossing through Dochu La pass where we get the amazing view of the Himalayas. We drive through beautiful rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. (We can observe blooming of this flora in spring).
And on the way to Punakha, we stop over to visit Chemi Lhangkang temple and as we reach Punakha, we explore the Punakha Dzong and many other sites. Next day, we drive on the zigzagged road crossing Pele La pass heading to Bhumthang where on the way we expect to see yak and then visit the Trongsa Dzong. At Bhumthang, we will be visiting some Lhankhang (temple), Dzongs, market and next we drive to Wangdue which is also the habitat of the red panda, leopard, and tiger. On the way, you even get to observe the diverse species of birds and finally we head back to Paro and next day we end our tour by hiking to the Tiger Nest Monastery.
This tour can be done in every season but the perfect time will be from March to June and September to November. For more information about this trip, please feel free to contact or email us.
Below we list our detailed itinerary for Bhutan Cultural Heartland Tour:
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Paro then transfer to Thimphu (2,320m/7,610ft): 54 km, 1 hour
Your flights near Bhutan you will be enjoying spectacular view of the Himalayas plus the sacred peak of Mt. Chomolhari and the Jichu Drake peaks. When you arrive at airport our representative from the Accent Himalaya will pick us from the airport and take us to the hotel. As if your flights arrive early then we will start our tour and if not we will began from tomorrow. We will spend our night in Thimpu.
- Meal: Welcome Dinner
Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Early morning we will commence our tour where we will visit Memorial Chorten which was constructed for the memory of the late third king who ruled from 1952-1972. Next we will explore nunnery temple, mini zoo where we get to observe the national animal of Bhutan named Takin. After that we will visit traditional painting school, traditional medicine institute, museum, the royal Tashi Tscho Dzong and traditional paper factory. During weekends most of the landmarks are usually closed so, if reach during weekends we will explore the Thimpu weekend market. We will spend our night in Thimpu.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha (1,250m/4,100ft): 76 km, 2 - 3 hours
Today after the breakfast we take a scenic drive to Punakha through Dochu La Pass which is at the altitude of 3100 meter and if the weather is clear we will get awesome view of the Himalayas. After that we will drive downhill via thick fir, hemlock and rhododendron forests. We will stop on the way to visit the Chimi Lhankhang- temple. When we will arrive at Punakha we will head to visit the Punakha Dzong – second largest and oldest Dzong of Bhutan which was constructed in 1637- 1638. We will spend our night in Punaka.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Sightseeing in Punakha
After breakfast we will be visiting eye- catching Khansum Yulley Namgyal chorten which is located on the top of the hill with the astonishing view of Punakha valley. This valley is blesses with moderate climate and it is the perfect place for growing crops and fruits. After that we will be visiting Ritsha village which is popular for growing rice and here we will enjoying walking through the rice fields as well as also explore the local culture and their lifestyles. We will spend our night in Punakha.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Punakha to Bumthang (2,850m/9,350ft): 214 km, 7 hours
Early morning after breakfast we will drive to the cultural heartland Bhutan- Bhumthang. The trail we will be heading is through the windy road and crossing the Pele La pass which is at 3300 meter and on the way we may also get to spot yak. For the lunch we will be stopping at Trongsa. After having our lunch we will head to visit the Trongsa Dzong and finishing exploring the Dzong we will continue our drive to Bhumthang and on the way we will stop at textile factory and observe the weavers deigning different unique patterns. We will spend our night in Bhumthang.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Sightseeing in Bumthang
Bhumthang is the holy region of Bhutan where you can find lots of sacred temples, monasteries and all. Today we will be visiting numerous temples also known as Lhakhangs which are Kurje, Tamshing and Jambay. After that we will be exploring Jakar Dzong which was constructed in 15th century and after that we will be visiting the well-known Wangdicholing Dzong which was built in 1857 and it was the private abode of the legendary warrior named Penlop Jigmee Namgyal. We will spend our night in Bhumthang.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Bumthang to Wangdue (1,240m/4,068ft): 197 km, 6 hours
Today we will start by exploring the Bhumthang market and drive towards Wangdue. Wangdue with varied climate and the region rich in natural resources is the abode to diverse animals like tiger, leopards etc. and also rare animals like red panda can be found. Even you can finds varied birds like black necked crane, eagle and white bellied heron. We will then explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is also a home of rare black necked cranes. Wangdue village is also recognized for stone carvings. We will spend our night in Wangdue.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Wangdue to Paro: 124 km, 3 - 4 hours
Today in morning we will retrace back to Paro through Dochu La Pass and during our drive we will stop to visit the Chimi Lhankhang- temple. At Dochu la pass we will have our lunch and after the lunch we will be visiting the Druk wangyal monastery which showcases exclusive paintings which depict present realm and their works. After exploring the monastery we will continue our drive to Paro. In evening we will be leisurely -walk around the Thimpu street market. We will spend our night in Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 09: Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery (3180m/10,430 ft.)
Today we will hike to the main notable monastery of Bhutan which is Taktsang monastery which is also termed as Tiger Nest monastery. There is story behind this monastery which is said that the Buddhism spiritual master Guru Rimpoche had flown on the back of the Tigress back to meditate into this cave which now called as tiger nest monastery or Taktsang. The monastery is positioned in 3180 meter and from the monastery one gets the stunning view of Paro valley. Lunch will be serve at the restaurants which is located at midway up to the mountain. After having lunch and exploring the monastery in depth we will retrace back to the valley and head to Paro. We will spend our night in Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Final Departure
Today your journey cultural heartlands of Bhutan finally comes to an end and after the breakfast we will head to the airport early morning as our representative from the Accent Himalaya will be dropping you at the airport. As the Druk air frequently departs in morning due to avoid such adverse weather conditions.
- Meal: Breakfast
