Central Cultural Tour

The central cultural tour to Bhutan starts with your arrival at Paro International Airport. Our Airport representative will pick you up from the airport and escort you to Paro town for Lunch. After Lunch, you will be visiting Ta Dzong, which is 5km from Paro. It is an antique watchtower and serves as a National Museum of Bhutan. In addition to this, you can explore one of the oldest temples in Bhutan Kyichu Lhakhang. Later, you will proceed to Rinpung Dzong. Tshechu, an annual festival is held in Rinpung Dzong. Finally, our representative will transfer you to the capital of Bhutan. The distance between Paro to Thimphu is 50km which takes about 1 hr 20 min drive excluding the stops. On the other hand, Thimphu is a commercial and government city in Bhutan.

On your way to Thimphu, you can enjoy the landscapes, Lush Green valley rivers as well as natural vegetation. Overnight at Thimphu hotel.

Today we will explore the capital of Bhutan- Thimphu. Thimphu is home to 100000 inhabitants including the royal family. The capital has a lot to offer to tourists. Thimphu is a wonderful place that offers you the typical Bhutanese Life as well as the uniqueness of the culture. We will explore several places in Thimphu such as Buddha’s viewpoint for the incredible view of the whole Thimphu city. Next on the list to do in Thimphu is to visit Takin-home of Bhutan’s national animals. Furthermore, you can see the animals gathered around the fences if you travel here early in the morning. On the other hand, you can spare some time for Tashi Choe Dzong- the castle of illustrious religion originally constructed in 1641. It was later rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s.

After lunch, we can explore centenary farmers’ markets, crafts bazaars, and institute traditional medicine in Thimphu. Likewise, you can visit the 300-year-old traditional house that is now converted into a museum. Therefore, Thimphu is a prime city of tourist attraction and thousands of visitors yearly enjoy being in this city. Overnight at Thimphu

Early morning after breakfast we will drive from Thimphu to Gangtey Valley. Gangtey is a remarkably attractive glacial valley also called Phobjikha valley. The valley is at an altitude of 3000m on the west side by the black mountain range. We will drive for 4-5 hours covering a distance of 125km, making several stops on the way. From Thimphu, the road ascends to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3050m. Indeed, you will have an opportunity to view the stunning peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. On the other hand, descend through the forest of Rhododendron appearing into the semi-tropical forest of Banana, oranges to the highly cultivated valley of Wangdue. You will visit Wangdue Phodrang, one of the largest Dzongkha at an altitude from 800-5800m. This Dzongkha is home to many rare species. 

We will stop for lunch and after lunch, we will visit Punakha Dzong. It is an administrative center of the Punakha District. Last but not the least, we will drive towards Gangtey Gompa. This gompa is surrounded by a small village and traditional houses. Several festivals take place here in this monastery every year. Therefore, we will spend the evening enjoying the Bhutanese culture dance. We will spend our night at Gangtey.

Today, bidding farewell to Gangtey you will set out for Bumthang. Bumthang presents you with plenty of ancient temples and monasteries. However, Bumthang is also a land of Lush forested valleys, protected monasteries, holy mountains, as well as art and architecture. The drive from Gangtey to Bumthang takes about 5 hours including the stops. Firstly, you will stop at Trongsa (2300m) for lunch. You can even spend some time roaming around Trongsa. After lunch, you can have good views of the Himalayas from Pele la Pass. It is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3432m.  Then, you will drive through the thick Rhododendron forest and green valleys. Above all, you will explore the magnificent Bumthang valley which embraces stone monasteries, traditional stone houses, and markets. In the evening you can stroll around the valley and explore the marketplace in Bumthang. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang

When it is to the cultural tour, nothing can beat Bumthang as it has a lot of cultural sites to offer. Today we will be spending the rest of our day in Bumthang. Bumthang is regarded as the cultural heartland of Bhutan. Early in the morning, we will visit Jakar Dzong, also known as the “castle of the white bird”. It was initially built as a monastery but now is the center of administration of the Bumthang district. It offers a good view of the valley. Similarly, after descending downwards and crossing the suspension bridge you will reach Kharchhu Goemba. It is a Gomba where young monks polished their debating skills. When exploring Bumthang one must not miss Jambay Lhakhang. It is one of the oldest temples built in the 7th century and the 108th temple built by the Tibetian king to fight a demon.

On the other hand, our next destination will be Kurje Lhakhang, one of the sacred places in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave while meditating. Moreover, you will get to explore Tamshing Monastery, another oldest monastic school built by Terton Pema Lingpa and Kurjey Lhakhang. It is a place where Buddhist paintings are preserved. You can even spend your evening visiting some local shops in Bumthang.  Finally, after exploration of Bumthang, you will be spending the night at the lodge or hotel in Bumthang

Early morning, after breakfast we will leave Bumthang and drive to Bumthang. The distance from Bumthang to Thimphu is 270 km. So, the drive today is going to be the longest one. You will be driving for around 8 hours excluding the stops. However, you can make some stops on the way to enjoy the scenario that the natures provide you. Not only this but you can even capture wonderful moments by taking pictures. On your way to Bumthang, you can stop at Chendebji Chorten. It is a stupa that is believed to cover the body of an evil spirit.  The style of this stupa is similar to that of the stupas in Nepal. Then your drive to Thimphu continues. In the evening you will reach the capital of Bhutan. Thus, you can enjoy your evening by visiting markets in Thimphu. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Early in the morning after breakfast, we will drive from Thimphu to Paro. The distance from Thimphu to Paro is 50km which is approximately a 2-hour drive excluding stops. However, you can stop on the way to enjoy the scenario this drive offers with. The very first thing we will do in Paro is Paro Valley Sightseeing. Thus, you will be blessed with the stunning view of Mt Chomolhari. Later, you will visit Drugyel Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monasteries located in the Paro district. It was destroyed by fire in the 1950s and is listed on Bhutan’s tentative list for UNESCO inclusion.  Similarly, you will continue your drive to Satsam Chorten and get the stunning sight of Taktsang monastery. Taktsang is also popular as a Tiger nest monastery located on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. Guru Padmasambhava meditates in this cave in the 8th century.

Later, you will drive to Rinpoche Dzong and the National Museum. The national museum in Bhutan is a cultural museum established in 1968 above Rinpoche Dzong. Therefore, you will get to explore several cultural places in Paro. Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Drive to Ramthongkha and then hike to the viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest (one and a half hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery, unfortunately, got burnt in 1998 but it has recently been reconstructed. OR Drive to Chelila Pass where you can see beautiful mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in bloom. On the way back walk to Chila Nunnery.

Today you will be Bidding farewell to your central cultural tour in Bhutan.  Early in the morning after breakfast, our Airport representative will drop you off to the Paro International Airport. We wish you for a happy and safe journey.