Bhutan Cultural Tour – 6 Days, Paro to Punakha

Visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong). Once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong, it became the National Museum in 1968 and is one of the best museums in Asia. It stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Then visit Rinpung Dzong.
A flagstone path rises gently to the dzong from a beautiful covered wooden bridge flanked by two guardhouses. Built in 1645, this massive fortress is now the seat of the district administration and home to a monastic school. Its central tower (utse), with superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. Take a leisurely drive to Drukgyel Dzong, which offers a fine view of Mt Jomolhari (7,326 m) on a clear day. On the way back, visit one of the oldest temples in the kingdom, Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by a Tibetan king to pin down a giant demoness. In its courtyard is a sacred orange tree said to bear fruit in every season. In the evening, walk around Paro town and meet the local people. Overnight in Paro.

Drive to Punakha along the winding Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu rivers. Stop for a hot cup of coffee at Dochu La pass (3,150 m), where you can enjoy spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas. Walk around the 108 chortens and visit the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, built as a tribute to the Fourth King of Bhutan.

On the way, visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi, with its varied forests, spectacular scenery, wild rhododendron groves, endangered wildlife and a lake.

Visit Punakha Dzong, the seat of the district administration. Built in 1637, it stands between two rivers, the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (the male and female rivers). It was here, on 17 December 1907, that Bhutan’s first king was crowned, and many consider it the most beautiful dzong in the country. Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan, and the dzong is still the winter home of the Central Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.
Visit the classic hilltop fortress of Wangdue Phodrang, rebuilt after a fire in 2012. Your guide will take you to some of its main shrine rooms for blessings.

At dawn, take a walk along the bank of the Punatsang Chhu and enjoy the sunrise. After breakfast, drive to Thimphu.

Thimphu is a small, charming capital nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, quite unlike most people’s idea of a capital city. Most of its buildings are painted and built in traditional Bhutanese style. On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan and home to an important monastic school.

After checking in and resting, drive up to Buddha Point (Kuenselphodrang), which offers a beautiful view over Thimphu. Locals believe this spot is a meeting point of the country’s sacred energies, hence the giant Buddha Dordenma statue here. On the way down, walk around the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan, a favourite place for local people to pray.

Visit the weekend farmers’ market and try some organic fruit and nuts.

In the evening, take a walking tour of town, including the Hong Kong Market, Norzin Lam, the main traffic junction, the General Post Office, the National Stadium and Clock Tower Square. Overnight in Thimphu (altitude 2,320 m).

In the morning, drive to the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal, the takin. Walk around the BBS Tower viewpoint, known as “romantic point”, where couples come to enjoy the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. On the way, visit the Zilukha Nunnery, where you can pray with the Buddhist nuns.

Visit the National Library, where ancient manuscripts are preserved, along with one of the world’s largest published books, a giant picture book on Bhutan.

Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which preserves the traditional way of life in old Bhutan.

Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine, which has a hospital and a unit making herbal medicines based on the traditional Sowa Rigpa system. It also trains traditional doctors, known as “drungtsho”.

Visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum (school of the 13 traditional arts and crafts), followed by the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium and some local antique shops.

Visit Tashichho Dzong, which houses the main government secretariat, the King’s office and throne room, and the summer home of the Central Monk Body.

Visit the traditional paper factory, where handmade paper still widely used across the country is produced.

After evening tea, watch a lively local archery match. Archery is Bhutan’s national sport, and joining in is a great way to make friends. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive to Paro (53 km, 1.5 hours), check in to your resort and prepare for the excursion. Drive to the trailhead at Satsam Chorten and spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon.

The climb is steep and takes about 4–5 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1,200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs about 900 metres (3,000 feet) above the Paro valley. Even from the closest viewpoint, on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will need a 200–300 mm lens and a steady hand for close-up photographs.

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche flew there on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the main temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country mourning one of its holiest places. Religious leaders and the King quickly made plans to rebuild it, donations poured in from Buddhists all over the world, and the monastery was reconsecrated in 2005. Lunch is at the hillside cafeteria.

We arrange your permit to enter the monastery; please note that photography is not allowed inside the shrines.

In the evening, visit a village home for a traditional Bhutanese dinner, with the local spirit “ara” (somewhat like Japanese sake). Then relax in a traditional hot-stone bath (dotsho): river stones are heated and dropped into a wooden tub of water and herbs, and the bath is believed to have healing properties. Overnight in Paro.

Our representative will see you off at Paro International Airport. Tashi Delek!