Bhutan

Home stays Bhutan

Stay with local and explore Bhutan!

This is a unique way to experience and explore the beauty of Bhutan. You explore all the major sites of Bhutan and stay overnight with hospitable Bhutanese. We take your to the incredible Taktsang monastery which clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. We crossing over Dochula pass which offer a great view of Himalayas and extend our journey up to Phobjikha valley and end the trip with a visit to the tallest statue of Buddha in the world with the capital city Thimpu.

  • Age Requirement

    8 Above
  • Activity

    Tours
  • Duration

    7 days
  • Starting Location

    Kathmandu
  • Final Destination

    Kathmandu
  • Difficulty

    Easy
  • Max. Altitude

    3180 meters
  • Accommodation

    Hotel / Resort

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro

We will greet you on arrival, and then drive you the short distance to the hotel. Visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower. Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646. Dinner and over night in Home stay.

Altitude: 2280m

Day 2: Paro : Excursion to Taktsang Monastery

A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery - After early breakfast, a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

After Lunch, visit the Drukgyel Dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the dzong name’s means indeed “ victorious Druk “. The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. This temple is said to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds down the left foot of an ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.


Day 3: Paro – Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. On the way, view Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.

  • Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).

We stop a while in Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, view Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.

  • Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.

After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.  Dinner and overnight in Home stay.

Altitude: 1310m, Distance: 130km
Duration: approx.4 hours

Day 4: Punakha - Gangtey

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes visit to the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638(razed by fire in 2012) now under construction, While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.

After lunch, explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter & visit the Black Necked crane Information Centre. Dinner and overnight in Homestay.

Altitude: 3120m, Distance: 67km
Duration: approx.3 hours

Day 5: Gangtey – Punakha

After a hearty breakfast, drive to PunakhaStop on the way for some  scenery and photography.

After lunch,  hike to Khamsum Yule Lhakhang. Dinner and overnight in Homestay.

Altitude: 1310m

Day 6: Punakha – Thimphu Sightseeing - Paro

After early breakfast, drive to Thimphu.  Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan. His Late Majesty King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. Then visit to Painting School, famous for carving and free hand art, Takin Preserve centre, Changangkha Monastery and Nunnery.

After lunch, visit to the tallest statue of Buddha (In the world), weekend market and witness archery match. Visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Late King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. In the evening drive to Paro. Dinner and over night in Homestay.

Altitude: 2320m

Day 7: Paro: Departure

Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.


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