8 nights 9 days Happiness in Action Bhutan Tours

Day 1

Paro – Thimphu Sightseeing

On arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be received by your local Bhutanese tour guide from Zoid  Jin Tours. Then drive to Thimphu – the capital city of Bhutan.

And on the way visit:

·         Ta-Chog Lhakhang : The monastery which belongs to the great master Thangthong Gyelpo and now being looked over by their decedents. Walk around the Iron Bridge which leads to the monastery. After 10 minutes of drive again stopped at:

·         Chu-zom: Chu-Zom meaning meeting of the rivers where you can see Paro and Thimphu River meet together. Walk over the bridge and see the three different styles of statues.

Check into your hotel in Thimphu and overnight in Thimphu.

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

The full day Thimphu tour includes :  

·         Memorial Chorten also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa built in the memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck.

• Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.
• Changangkha Lhakhang The temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th century and is located above the main town of Thimphu overlooking the Thimphu valley. 
• Nunnery (Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery) The nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang is located above Zilukha Lower Secondary School, overlooking Tashichodzong in Thimphu valley. It is a few minutes’ drive from the main Thimphu town.

Lunch and cultural program at Simply Bhutan

·         Simply Bhutan is a unique project that aims to conserve our culture and tradition while generating employment opportunities for young job seekers. The infrastructure portrays ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization.

Enjoy the cultural programs, in house sightseeing’s, Enjoy playing archery- the national game of Bhutan and then a very delicious lunch.

After lunch visits the following:

• The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. The National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are compounded and dispensed.
• The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
• Craft Bazaar where artisans and craftsmen from across the country come to sell their products.
• Sunday Vegetable Market: Visit Sunday Vegetable market which is popularly known as Centenary farmers market

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3

Thimphu – Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Punakha/Wangdue through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). In the clear sky; enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. And also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple) .The temple was built to honor His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the lhakhang that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future.

Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907 and the 1st National Assembly was held here. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.

Upon arrival at Lobesa visit:

·         Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (also known as the Divine Madman) and is popular among childless Bhutanese couples as a temple to seek blessings for fertility. The hike up to the temple is easy with 20 to 30 minutes walk as the trail cuts through a flat paddy fields and gentle slope. 

After Lunch visit:

·         Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. Also visit the massive Kuenray, the Coronation Hall of all Bhutanese kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mochu that has been recently renovated.

If time permits visits then again make a walk towards Suspension bridge to get the clear views of Mendrelgang and the male river.

Overnight at a hotel in Punakha/Wangdue. 

Day 4

 Punakha – Khamsum Yulley Namgay Hike – Phobjikha Valley ( Home Stay if interested)

After breakfast drive through upper Punakha valley passing through farm houses and take a short hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about 1 hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtaking view from there.

After the hike if interested you can have water rafting. Water rafting is opened to few rivers only due to their safe course and easy access.

After lunch drive to phobjikha. The Gangtey Valley, also known as the Phobjikha Valley is a breathtaking glacial valley in a mystical Bhutan.

The hill side vegetation is mostly pine forests, interspersed with Rhododendron trees, with thick brush-like bamboo carpeting the floor.

Enjoying staying in one of the farm house if interested. Village Home stay is the best way to experience the true culture and the way of Bhutanese life. The friendly people, simple lifestyle and the traditional communities is worth the experience to cherish for a lifetime.

Else check In to the hotel at Phobjikha.

Day 5

 Phobjikha/ Gangtey Nature Trail – Sightseeing’s – Paro

After breakfast you can visit:

·         Gangtey Monastery: Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800 m, Gangtey Monastery (also known as Gangtey Sanga Choeling Goemba) offers a stunning view of Phobjikha valley, winter home to the rare Black Necked Cranes. This venerable monastery was founded in 1613 by Je Kuenga Gyaltshen and is one of the oldest Nyigma sects of Buddhism.

·         Gangtey Nature Trail: From Gangtey Monastery, hike through Gangtey Natural Trail (1.5hrs). This is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. This hike which takes you though the pine forest and small bamboo plants provides a spectacular view of the Phobjikha Valley.

Then make a visit to:

·         The Black Necked Cranes: you will see the black necked cranes and also the video clips of how the phobjikha valley is.

After done with those sightseeing’s then drive back to Paro.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.  

 Day 6

Paro – Chelela Excursion – Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast you will have chelela Pass excursion:

Chelela Pass separates Haa and Paro Valley and at 3810 m. It is one of the highest motor able pass in Bhutan. The drive till here either from Paro or Haa is through dense spruce and larch forests according to the seasons. On a clear day, there are spectacular views of Mt. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and adjoining peaks to the north west as well as the view of Haa and Paro Valley. 

Enjoy Hosting prayer flags or the wish fulfilling flags for the whole sentient beings to bring peace, prosperity, harmony and the long life.

Drive back to Paro and after lunch visit:

·         National Museum: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong (watchtower), built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. 

·         Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): Explore the Rinpung Dzong which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa chu (Paro river) where one may pose a photograph. Experience a walk up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.

 In the evening you can stroll around Paro town and you may visit local Bhutanese handicraft stores.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro. 

 Day 7

 Paro – One Night Trek toward Bumdra ( 3800 meters high)

This is the shortest trek in Bhutan and also as the trek starts and ends in Paro itself so this trek requires the shortest duration for the entire trip. 

The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor Choekor Buddhist College in the Paro valley (2,800 m)  to meet our ponies; while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the college. The initial one to two-hour ascent of a shady, forested ridge brings us to a clearing with prayer flags and views down into both the Paro and Do Chhu Valleys.

Above and ahead the Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles on the mountainside a further one to two hour’s walk away. The trail undulates before the last steep section up to the pretty temple which offers commanding views south over Paro and northwards to the snow-capped Himalayas.

Luxury Camp in Bumdra with happiness in action. Taking so many pictures of the beautiful landscape and you will going to lot of birds and amongst them  the most popular one’s are Himalayan Monals and so on.  

Day 8

 Bumdra -  Paro Takshang ( Tiger nest Temple )

After a hearty breakfast in the jaw dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger awhile soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig zagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds. The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Zangdopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive back to Hotel,not forgetting to stop on the other side of the valley and look back at what you have achieved.

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath also have a cultural Programs. The Cultural programs will be of one hour show educating the people about the four directions of Bhutanese life.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 9

Zoid Jin Tours & Treks (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.