Punakha Dromchhe Tour Itinerary 2010

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Arrival Paro/Paro
Day 2: Paro/Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing/Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu/Trongsa
Day 5: Trongsa/Bumthang
Day 6: Bumthang sightseeing/Bumthang
Day 7: Bumthang/ Phobjikha
Day 8: Phobjikha /Punakha
Day 9: Punakha Dromche/Paro
Day 10: Hike to Tiger Nest/ Paro
Day 11: Exit

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Traditional welcome by the Bhutan Abbot Representative on arrival at Paro international airport and drive you to the hotel for the arrival refreshment. After a brief fresh up in the hotel begins the orientation tour including your visit to Paro Dzong, which was built in the seventeenth century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the National Museum located just above the Dzong. After the lunch drive to the north of Paro to see the ruin Drugyal Dzong built to commemorate the victory over Tibetan war in the 17th century. On your way back to Paro visit the Kichu temple built in sixth century by the king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo. The temple was built prior to the arrival of Guru Rinpochhe who introduces Buddhism in the Himalayan Kingdom including Bhutan.
Evening leisure hour in the down town of Paro experiencing the sight and sound and overnight at hotel

Day 2: Early drive to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. Thimphu is located at two hour leisurely drive distance from Paro town and on the way sightseeing at Tagchhoe vicinity and at the junction of Thimphu and Paro rivers. The road bifurcates to the north and half an hour drive will reach you the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Hotel transfer on arrival and after a brief fresh up in the hotel begins your sightseeing program to the National Memorial Chhorten built in the memory of the late third king of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum showcasing the typical rural way of life and the Institute of thirteen arts and crafts.

After the lunch drive to Motithang, to see the mini zoo where the national animal of Bhutan,Takin is preserved. Your further drive will reach you to the view point from where you can see the panoramic of Thimphu city.

Evening (after 5PM) visit the courtyard and the temple inside the Thimphu Dzong. Thimphu Dzong houses the throne room and the office of the King of Bhutan. Besides it is a summer resident to the chief Abbot and the central Monk Body.

Day 3: Early drive to the north of Thimphu to hike to the first Buddhist monastery built in seventeenth century to house the death ashes of Zhabdrung’s father. Popularly known as the Chari monastery, it is beautifully positioned on the gentle hills with silent ambience in the vicinity favoring the monks to take up their religious studies.

It is 45 minutes drive from Thimphu till the base of the monastery and half an hour hike to reach up to the temple. You will be treated with hot pack lunch and Leisurely evening stroll in the main streets of Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 4: Today you will head to the central Bhutan following the route of the East. It is six hour leisurely drive and you will see the different geographical compartments which shelters various flora and fauna. In fact we call this region as the nature paradise coz of its rich natural habitat for various species of plants and animals. Starting from a several species of blooming rhododendron to a heard of mountain Yaks are the regular phenomenon that will keep your eye gaze. Nevertheless several other features like the snow capped mountains, sparsely distributed inhabitant and the beautiful pass decorated with fluttering prayer flags and stupas are true essence that will give you the feel of Bhutan as the Last Himalayan Shangri-La.

The mountain pass of Dochula offers you a platform to see the chain of Himalayan Mountains ranges on a clear sunny day. No wonder that the Chelela pass between Wangdue and Trongsa also awaits to showcase various division of mountain forest, the mountain ship and the breath taking snow capped mountain ranges.

Trongsa has been a homeland to the Wangchuck Dynasty and the people of Mangde. The place served as a epicenter of power to bring about unification in the past. The king of Bhutan prior to their ascent to Golden Throne has to serve as the Trongsa Penlop (chieften) for a period of one year. Over night at Yangkhill Resort

Day 5: Early breakfast in hotel and drive to the south of Trongsa to visit the winter palace of the second king of Bhutan. It is half an hour drive and the village in the vicinity of the palace holds the legendary epic stories including the story of the famous philanthropic King Drigme Kuenden who gave away his eye and children to the blind man and the childless family. Drive back to Trongsa to visit the main temple inside the Trongsa Dzong.

After lunch, drive to Bumthang, the historical heartland of Bhutan, en route Youtongla pass. On the way to Chhamkhar, visit Chummey Yathra Centre where one can observe the process of yathra production, from pure wool of sheep and yaks. Overnight halt in Bumthang

Day 6: Breakfast in hotel and visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjay Lhakhang and from Kurjay take a short hike towards Tamshing Lhakhang. Also visit Koenchogsum Lhakhang and then stop for lunch. After the lunch, drive towards Tang to see the famous Mebar Tsho (burning lake) from where Pema Lingpa recovered Ter (hidden treasure/statues/religious scriptures) hidden by Guru Rinpochhe in the 15th century.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Bumthang town in the evening before dinner and retiring for the night.

Day 7: Early breakfast in hotel and drive back to Phobjikha, the winter home of Black Necked Cranes flying in from Tibet and Siberia. On arrival, visit the famous Gangtay Monastery, hike across the wide valley of Phobjikha till you reach your hotel. Overnight halt at hotel/farm house in Phobjikha.

Day 8: Early in the morning toil around the heavenly valley of Phobjikha to observe the Black Necked Cranes in its roosting place. After the break fast drive to Punakha, the winter resident of the central monastic body. In Punakha visit the Mina courtyard and the temple inside the Punakha Dzong where the first annual Punakha Dromche is held.

The lunch will be served at hotel in Punakha and after the lunch visit the Punakha Dzong to witness the Dromchhe. Over night at hotel in Punakha

Day 9: Early break fast in the hotel and proceed to Punakha Dzong to witness the Dromche. After the lunch drive to Paro for night halt.

Day 10: Early breakfast in hotel and drive to the base of Taktshang for three-hour hike to Tiger Nest, an experience of a life time. Lunch will served at view Point cafeteria. Leisurely evening stroll in the main town of Paro and dinner will be organized at the local restaurant in the town. Overnight halt in Paro

Day 11: Early breakfast in hotel and drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight to Bangkok.