5 Days Classic Bhutan City and Scenic Tourist Tour
(BT004) Paro - Thimphu - Punakha & Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro
-
Tour Type:
Escorted by private guide and vehicle; leave 365 days a year!
-
Trip Level:
Easy - suitable for all levels of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
-
Trip Level Guide:
- Easy - suitable for all level of fitness, family with kids and senior groups.
- Moderate - suitable for ones with average level fitness, family with kids bigger than 12 yrs.
- Moderate to Strenous - suitable for ones physically fit; have experiences of high altitude trek.
- Strenuous: suitable for adventures and individual with physically fit and healthy.
-
Season:春
Spring夏
Summer秋
Autumn冬
Winter
Overview
The classic Bhutan city and scenic tourist tour takes you to Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Wangdue cities which highly reflect every aspect of the mysterious Bhutanese life. Meanwhile, this trip guides you to the upper rhododendron ridden Punakha valley where large tracts of paddy fields can be sighted.
You can also enjoy the world famous Taktsang Ghoempa (The Tiger’s Nest Monastery) clinging to the abrupt slope after the route has ascended you to the altitude of 3,750 meters. Feel the steepness of the Monastery and enjoy the views.
At a Glance
Day 1Arrive Paro (2,200 m) & Paro - Thimphu (2,334 m)
Day 2Thimphu (2,334 m) - Punakha (1,242 m) and Wangdue
Day 3Punakha (1,242 m) Short Nature Hike & Sightseeing; Punakha (1,242 m) - Thimphu (2,334 m)
Day 4Thimphu - Paro; One Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, 3,750 m)
Day 5Paro Departure
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro (2,200 m) & Paro - Thimphu (2,334 m)
Distance: 54 km
Driving Time: 1 hour
Paro arrival by the royal Bhutan airline, the Drukair flight. Your tour guide is ready to wait for you before picking you up and driving you from Paro airport to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
On the way, the route will first take you to Chunzom, the confluence of Pachu and Wangchu Rivers. Both of the two rivers are the cradle of Bhutan’s civilizations and flow through Paro and Thimphu valley respectively. Enjoy the primitive way of walking over the river to Tachog Lhakhang (Tachog Temple) by a suspended 15th-century iron chain bridge. After the well-prepared Bhutanese meal which is ritualistically served in a Bhutan way, you will be go sightseeing the following sites:
1) Archery Match
Traditionally, the archery match is due to be held on each weekend and public holidays at Changlimithang National Stadium. For rest of the days, you may find Bhutanese men practicing the archery at this stadium. Strike up a conversation with the locals and talk about the Bhutanese archery.
2) Centenary Farmer’s Market (Open from Thu. to Sun.)
Held by the side of Wangchu River, the market bustling with commerce is a trade center for city residents and valley dwellers to do their businesses. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts can be found on the market. It begins from Fri. afternoon till Sun. evening. Try bargaining with the locals and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
3) Craft Bazaar
A unique shopping site to get an in-depth knowledge of Bhutan cultures and buy the handcrafts with Bhutan characteristics that you are interested in. At this Bazaar, craftsman and artists from the country display and sell their handicrafts in some handicrafts store you can choose to visit.
Dinner and stay over at the hotel in Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu (2,334 m) - Punakha (1,242 m) and Wangdue
Distance: 71 km
Driving time: 2 hrs
After breakfast, travel from Thimphu to Punakha and Wangdue through the Dochula Pass (3,140 m). At Dochula Pass, enjoy the draw-dropping panoramic view of the majestic Himalaya Range and overlook the gorgeous flower-clustered valley below.
The bus will make a temporary stop at the amazing 108 chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (The Queen mother of Bhutan) for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty (The king of Bhutan).
After the lunch served at the Dochula Pass, the bus will drive you onto Punakha, a place regarded as one of the most beautiful and significant regions in Bhutan culture and had once been the capital of Bhutan from 1637 to 1955 during which the 1st National Assembly was held there.
The bus also takes you to Metsina Village and makes a temporary stop to have the Devine Madman’s Monastery - Chhimi Lhakhang being sighted. The monastery has always been regarded as the fertility shrine by locals for a long time and you can receive an efficacious fertility blessing there.
Then visit the Punakha Dzong on the island of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River) and appreciate the highest state of the wood crafts. Never miss the stunning evening views of Punakha and Wangdue valley after you have visited the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery in the evening.
Both Dinner and overnight at hotel in Punakha
Day 3: Punakha (1,242 m) Short Nature Hike & Sightseeing; Punakha (1,242 m) - Thimphu (2,334 m)
Visit the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang after hiking to the upper Punakha valley and crossing the hanging bridge through large tracts of paddy fields. It takes you about 1 hour to reach the temple and the view sighted from the temple is also stunning.
Head for Thimphu by passing Dochula. Check in the hotel upon arrival at Thimphu then visit the following sites:
1) Kuensel Phodrang (Commonly known as Buddha Point)
Kuensel Phodrang is widely known as the Palace ruins where the largest Buddha Dordenma in the country is sited on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley. It is recommended to take a 20-30 minutes’ walk through Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and enjoy the magnificent view of the Valley as well as the distant mountains.
2) Traditional Arts and Crafts Painting School
Visiting the painting school where students receive a six-year course on the 13 different traditional arts and crafts.
3) Tashichhoe Dzong
A once glorious religious fortress built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late king and the central monk body. Tashichhoe Dzong serves also as the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot.
Stay overnight in Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu - Paro; One Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, 3,750 m)
Distance: 54 km
Driving Time: 1 hour
Drive to Paro in early morning after breakfast, and then embark on the hike to Taktsang Ghoempa.
Climb up to the viewpoint (1.5 hr) to enjoy the stunning view of the monastery clinging to the side of the sheer vertical cliff.
After a temporary refreshment stop at the view point (3,140 m), you continue to ascend higher to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (1 hr) and get a closer look of this miraculous monastery. Take an overlook to find amazing sceneries underneath.
The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.
After seeing the Monastery, you begin your return downward trip and drive back to Paro. On the way back, pay a special visit to Kyichu Temple, one of the beautiful 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.
Visit a farm house in Paro valley and experience the lifestyle of a farmer in Bhutan. Try a traditional Bhutan hot stone bathing and have dinner in Paro
Day 5: Paro Departure
Today, our tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.
Service Guide
Service Included:
- A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an premium payment);
- All meals specified in the itinerary;
- Airport transfer, private transport for sightseeing in Bhutan;
- Experienced driver;
- An English-speaking and licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay;
- Entry fee and road permits;
- Government fee, royalty, taxes;
- Bottled mineral water throughout the journey.
Service Excluded:
- Bhutan Visa Fee;
- International flight to and out of Bhutan;
- Personal expenses such as drinks, postage, and laundry, etc.;
- Travel insurance in Bhutan;
- Emergency evacuation;
- Tips and gratuities;
- Costs arising from unforeseen events;
- Extra activities like cultural show, kayaking, etc.
Contact us for your dream trip now !
Enquire NowYou May Also Like
Explore as many places as possible in cities and towns since each different place has its unique highlight and gives you constant pleasant surprises.
Tibetan Travel Guru,Master Catherine Jigme
Get A Quotation of this Tour
Get Started - 5 Days Classic Bhutan City and Scenic Tourist Tour
You’re getting closer to your dream Tibet vacation! Fill out this form so our travel designers can start helping you plan a trip.
Privacy Policy: Your information is kept strictly confidential. Tibet Vista will never sell, trade, or give away your contact information to a third party.