Enchanting West & Central West Bhutan: An 8-Day Journey of Cultural Wonders
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of West and Central West Bhutan. From the warm reception in Paro to the cultural immersion in Thimphu, the tour unfolds with visits to iconic landmarks such as the Takin Preserve, Thimphu Dzong, and the National Memorial Chorten. Traverse the scenic Dochula Pass en route to Punakha, where the stunning Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten await. Continue the adventure to Gangtey, a haven for Black-necked cranes, and explore the historic Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. The journey concludes in Paro, where highlights include the revered Taktsang Monastery, Drukgyal Dzong, and the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang. Bid farewell at Paro International Airport, cherishing the memories of a culturally rich and visually captivating exploration.
ARRIVAL IN PARO, BHUTAN
Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and Luncheon with luscious Bhutanese cuisines. Afternoon Visit the most popular Takin Preserve to sight see takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.
TOUR OF THIMPHU
Heritage Museum- Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.
Textile Museum- Witnesses the art of traditional weaving.
Thimphu Dzong- The largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.
National Memorial Chorten, which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Paper making factory – Witnesses the art of paper making.
Simtokha Dzong – Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.
Centenary Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.
THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA
Dochula Pass- the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over indian militants and to liberate the souls of the lost ones.
Punakha Dzong- Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten- Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.
PUNAKHA TO GANGTEY
Chhimi Lhakhang – A 20 minutes walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ’divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.
Passing Wangdue (left), one of the major towns and district capital of Western Bhutan. Located south of Punakha, Wangdue is the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate and stone carving.
We will pause to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Built in 1638, Wangdue Dzong is dramatically perched on the spur of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers.
GANGTEY
The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane. Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the Gangtey Gompa. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century.
GANGTEY TO PARO
Paro Valley – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Jhomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachhu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.
Paro Dzong – Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzongkhag.
Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
PARO
Taktsang Monastery – A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vintage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
Drukgyal Dzong – A morning drive, north of Paro valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.
Kyichu Lhakhang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
DEPARTURE DAY
Bade farewell at Paro International Airport.
Explore Bhutan's victorious history at Punakha Dzong, where the sacred relic 'Rangjung Kharsapani' stands witness to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel's defense against Tibetan forces. Immerse yourself in vibrant celebrations like Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu, weaving together reenactments and Buddhist rituals amidst the serene Gangtey Valley.
Embark on an exhilarating journey with our Trekking Tour, where breathtaking landscapes and thrilling adventures await. Traverse rugged terrains, conquer majestic peaks, and witness nature's grandeur up close. Our experienced guides ensure a seamless blend of challenge and awe-inspiring beauty, making every step a testament to your spirit of exploration.
Air to Bhutan is a travel company based in Thimphu Bhutan. Although it’s a new company, we work towards catering friendly and exclusive services to our guests. Bhutan is often regarded as an exclusive travel destination, the kingdom enjoys a reputation for authenticity, serenity and a well-preserved cultural heritage and protected natural environment.
Our firm is also driven by the concept of ‘responsible tourism’. Our policies and practices ensure that all our tours are undertaken in a way that is socially & culturally acceptable and environmentally friendly. We are firmly committed to a principle wherein the environment and culture are not sacrificed at the altar of tourism. While reaping the benefits from tourism, we are also giving back to our community by part taking social corporate responsibility.