The Central Bhutan Cultural Tour 08 Nights/09 Days

Package Overview

The Central Bhutan Cultural Tour is a stunning journey for all the visitors travelling to Bhutan. Our 09 days mystical Bhutan tour planner includes some of the most significant historical and religious sites in the country. It offers a once of a life time opportunity to savor the different cultures of the western and central regions of Bhutan. The district of Trongsa has always been of great political importance to the leaders of Bhutan due to its commanding location at the center of the nation while Bumthang district has some of the most ancient and important temples and monasteries in Bhutan.International & domestic flight fare
Personal insurance
Airport departure tax
Drinks & personal expanses
Laundry & Tipping

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Paro (Elevation 2280 m) (By Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines) – Thimphu (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km,

  Our Guide from Bhutan Mystical Tours will receive you at the Airport and drive you to Thimphu city. On the way, see the Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.
  Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse district in Eastern Bhutan).
  Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.
• Day 2 : Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m)

  Your day begins with visits to the National Memorial Chorten (stupa) built in the year of 1974 in honor of our 3rd King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan),  the Buddha Dordenma Statue, the Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve at Motithang, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang; one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. After lunch, visit the National Postal Museum, which is worth a visit for you, can get your own picture on Bhutanese stamp impromptu. Get a photo clicked or give a photo of your near and dear ones and you can get personalized stamps in minutes, followed by a visit to the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) and the Folk Heritage Museum. In the evening, visit the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping at the various souvenir shops of Thimphu city. In the evening you can have a time to stroll around the city.
  Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.
• Day 3 : Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

  After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3116m). Stop for a while at Dochula pass to view the magnificent range of the Higher Himalayas. Drive further down and visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi. The Royal Botanical Park, also known as the Rhododendron Garden at Lamperi is a half hour drive towards Punakha/Wangdue valleys. With your spirits still high from the visit to the awesome sites of Dochula Pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges, you will descend down to Rhododendron Botanical Garden, a nature reserve rich in flora and fauna and beautiful in itself. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. A Rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is the theme of the botanical garden. Located 30 km from capital city, the park has numerous view points, a lake and a canteen.
  
  Then you are driven further down to the Punakha valley. On the way, view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. He subdued the demons of Dochula pass who used terrorize all and sundry with his “Magical Thunder bolt” and built the temple on top of a hillock. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
  
  After lunch, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). War materials captured during the various battles with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo, the chief Abbbot of Bhutan and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952. Punakha served as a capital of Bhutan till the year of 1955.
  Dinner and overnight in Punatshangchhu Cottages or similar
• Day 4 : Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang: (Altitude 2800 m) (Distance 195 km, Drive Time 6 hour drives.)

  After breakfast, we drive towards another province called Trongsa. We then visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Zhabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and the first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong.
  After Lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Drive further to Bumthang.
  Dinner and overnight in Swiss Guest House or similar.
• Day 5 : Bumthang Sightseeing: (Altitude 2800 m.)

  After breakfast, we visit the Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667. After that we make a visit to Jambay Lhakhang which was built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. After lunch, Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. After lunch, visit Membar tsho, which literally means, “The Burning Lake”. It was here that the Terton Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th century.
  Dinner and overnight in Swiss Guest House or similar.
• Day 6 : Bumthang – Gangtey: (Altitude 2900 m, Distance 194 kms, drive time 5-6hrs)

  After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Trongsa. While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa., founded in 1613, the present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation of Pema Lingpa, a chosrn confidante of Guru Rinpoche. It is a Nyingma monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingma monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the Rare Black necked Cranes in winter and visit the Crane Information center.
  Dinner and overnight in Yuo-loki resort or similar.
• Day 7 : Gangtey - Paro (Altitude 2320 m, Distance 154 kms, drive time 5-6hrs)

  After breakfast, you will have a short hike through a beautiful forest towards Gangtey Goemba. Drive towards Paro via Punakha and Thimphu.
  Dinner and overnights in Gangtey Palace or similar.
• Day 8 : Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

  After an early breakfast, we have an excursion to the Taktsang Monastery. The trail leads through beautiful pine forests, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we clearly see the legendary Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang (temple) was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop (Governor) of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff  900 meters above the Paro valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, who is believed to be his favourite consort. A best ways to relax after a long tiring day in Bhutan is a traditional hot stone bath. It is not only practiced as a comforting leisure but also treats various ailments as it is believed to have a medicinal properties.
  Dinner and overnight in Gangtey Palace or similar
• Day 9 : Departure: (Altitude 2280 m) 

  Early morning, drive to Airport and Farewell.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).
• All meals (Catered to personal taste & order)
• Excellent transportation services within Bhutan (both A/c & Non A/c cars & coaches)
• All monument entry fees
• Sightseeing & religious festivals (If available)
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
• All internal taxes and charges
• A sustainable tourism Royalty of US$ 65. (This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure)

Exclusions

• International & domestic flight fare
• Personal insurance
• Airport departure tax
• Drinks & personal expanses
• Laundry & Tipping

Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• P.o. Box 887, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan - 11001
• XXXXXX7722 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@tourtravelworld.com View Mail ID

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