Culinary odyssey in Bhutan

After breakfast, head to Kuensel Phodrang, also known as Buddha Point, just a short drive from the city centre. Enjoy the panoramic view of Thimphu Valley, pay your respects to the country's largest Buddha statue, and take a leisurely walk around the area. Visit the King's Memorial Chorten, a hub of devotion and prayers. Explore the Textile and Folk Heritage Museums to experience Bhutan's living traditions. Have lunch at "Nang gi Aum" restaurant, run by Bhutan Association of Women Empowerment members, and savour the Bhutanese staple Ema Datsi (Chilli and Cheese). In the afternoon, visit the National Library and the Institute for Zorig Chusum. Drive to Takin Preserve to witness Bhutan's national animal and then explore Trashichhoedzong. In the evening, browse the Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar for traditional arts and crafts.

Ara Making (Local Alcohol)

Optional

Fly-Fishing

Optional

High Tea at the Forests of the Kuensel Phodrang Park

Optional

Hot Stone Bath soaking in medicinal water

Optional

Mountain Biking

Optional

Stroll at Centenary Farmers Market

Optional

After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochu La, a scenic location with chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags that decorate this highest point on the road. If skies are clear, it may be possible to see several peaks from this pass, including Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here.

Later, head for an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (the temple of fertility), situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of locals.

Excursion to Hot Springs at Gasa (Explore the Hot Water Springs of Gasa)

Optional

Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Optional

Visit a Nunnery (Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang)

Optional

Walk to Chorten Nyingpo

Optional

White Water Rafting

Optional

Following breakfast at the hotel, proceed on an exciting drive to Bumthang, crossing Pele-la pass via Trongsa. The Pela La (pass) is marked by large white chorten prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forests replaced by high-altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Halt at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Explore Trongsa Dzong, a major monastic complex and the administrative centre of Trongsa District. If time permits, then visit Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone structure rising five stories and has been resurrected as a classy museum.

Significance of Trongsa in Bhutanese Culture (Birth Place of the Kings)

Optional

After breakfast, drive further across the Yutong-la pass and reach the wide-open cultivated Bumthang valley known for regional delicacies like Puta (buckwheat noodles) and Khulley (buckwheat pancake). En route, explore the Yathra weaving centre of Chumey, a colourful, hand-woven woollen cloth, often with geometric designs.

In the afternoon, visit Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Stroll in the village and visit little handicraft shops. In the evening, one of the host family members will demonstrate the cooking of buckwheat noodles, ‘Puta,’ which you can taste during dinner.

Spend the day with Monks at Monastery

Optional

After breakfast, explore the many beautiful valleys of Bumthang, the Ura Valley. Drive to Ura and spend the entire day taking a walk through the forests into the village of Ura. Interact with locals, visit the Ura temple and try out Khulley at a local restaurant.

Spend the day with Monks at Monastery

Optional

After breakfast, proceed to Tang Valley to visit the Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), believed to hide many treasures hidden here by Guru Rinpoche. In the afternoon, explore the famous Bumthang Cheese Factory & the Red Panda Beer Brewery.

This morning, trace your journey back to Punakha, crossing Pele-la pass via Trongsa. The Pela La (pass) is marked by large white chorten prayer flags. In Punakha, Spend the afternoon at a farmhouse, learning how to milk a cow, process butter and cheese and thread dying. In the evening, enjoy Bhutanese cuisine, including butter tea and Paa Tsoem (Bhutanese Meat Curry).

Excursion to Hot Springs at Gasa (Explore the Hot Water Springs of Gasa)

Optional

Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Optional

Walk to Chorten Nyingpo

Optional

White Water Rafting

Optional

After breakfast, drive back to Paro, descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley. Paro is often known as the rice bowl of the nation as it produces the majority of the red rice from its fertile terraced fields. If you are in the right season, you will see many farmers in the field cultivating rice. During spring, juicy, ripe peaches are available to enjoy during your journey. En route, visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country and known as the place of profound tantric teaching. This dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. Check-in at the hotel and proceed to Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower and now home of the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historical artefacts.

Walk the trail to Rinpung Dzong (meaning 'fortress of the heap of jewels’). Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, and scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas. In the evening, try your hand at making Hoentey, a speciality from the valleys of Haa and Paro.

Farmhouse visit with Bhutanese dinner with a local family

Optional

Guided Mushroom Foraging

Optional

Hike to Jele Dzong

Optional

Visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery

Optional

After breakfast, hike to the Taktsang Monastery. It is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, and hence, it is called the Tiger’s Nest. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. This Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Continue to the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple marking the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Then visit the Namgay Artisinal Brewery, where beer is brewed from wheat, red rice and dark ale. Enjoy local beer with mouthwatering snacks.

Meet Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi ( Buddhism, Culture and happiness quotient)

Optional

Farmhouse visit with Bhutanese dinner with a local family

Optional

Guided Mushroom Foraging

Optional

Hike to Jele Dzong

Optional

Visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery

Optional

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight.