Ideal Itinerary for BHUTAN Trip

We are budget travelers with a little twist. We do not run from stone to pillars while visiting any country. We take a day or two more to cover the country and believe in traveling with Joy. Here is our itinerary for Bhutan which you may follow for a perfect trip,

Day 1 – Arrive at Paro Airport

After completion of airport formalities, drive through fascinating valley of Bhutan to the hotel. Transfer to Thimpu.  Evening leisure in Thimphu town, over night Thimphu.

Day 2 - Sightseeing in Thimphu

After breakfast Sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

After lunch, visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Changangkha Lhakhang: This popular fortress-like temple perched on a ridge above central Thimphu regularly hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin (to the left in the grilled inner sanctum, next to Chenresig). Don't leave without taking in the excellent view from the back kora (pilgrim path), with its lovely black and gold prayer wheels.

Trashichhoe Dzong, "fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch&' throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

After that we visit Lord Buddha Statue, The Buddha Dordenma is located amidst the ruins of phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On completion, it will one of the largest statues in the world, at a heigh of 169 feet (515.5 meters) , accommodating 100,000 8-inch tall and 25,000 12-inch tall gilded Buddhas respectively in the interior. The statue is surrounded by 943 acres of forest area that comprises the kuenselphodrang nature park.

Day 3 - Travel to Punakha  and sightseeing

After breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.  

After visit to Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. Overnight stay Punakha/Wangdue.

Day 4 -  Sightseeing at Punaka /Wangdue and Drive to Paro Town

After breakfast drive to Punakha/Wangdue. After lunch visit Chimi Lakhang Temples lies in the fertile Lobesa villge of Punakha Valley. The temple is dedicated to the divine madman-Saint Drukpa Kuenley and the temple is also known as the Temple of Fertility.

The temple is accessible by 20-25 minutes from the village near the junction of the road that branches out to Wangdue and Punakha. We first walk through the village of Sosokha and then gradually hike through the paddy fields to Lobesa Village and arrive at the temple.
The temple is associated with Lama Drukpa Kuenley lived in Bhutan around the 1500s. He was a highly accomplished Buddhist master but he was called Divine Madman for his humorous approach and sexual overtones in his teachings.  As per the legend, Lama Drukpa Kuenley subdued a demoness here who was terrorizing the residents of the valley and marked the site for the temple to be built later by his cousin.

It’s a general belief that if a childless couple visits the temple and wishes for fertility, they will be blessed by Lama Drukpa Kuenley and will be able to bear children. Nobody knows exactly how and when the tradition of seeking fertility blessing started in Chimi Lhakhang but today, the temple is famous as the Temple of Fertility.

Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 5 - Sightseeing in Paro Town

After breakfast drive up the Paro valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.  While return to Paro town visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Then you will visit the Ta Dzong. This Dzong was built in 1651 as a watch tower.  It means the victorious fortress which was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. In the afternoon you will visit the Rinpong Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. 

Day 6 - Trek To The Tiger Nest & Paro Taktsang Monastery

The trek is short as well as arduous because of the extremely steep slope. Also, Paro Taktsang Monastery is the most popular monastery in Bhutan situated at an altitude of 10,240 feet that does not only offer spiritual vibes but also some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Paro valley.

Tiger Nest should be your first pick. But I have kept it on the last day so that you can take proper sleep on the text day till your flight time.

Rest after you reach back to the hotel – you will need it.

Day 7 – Flight Back Home

It will feel like yesterday that you had landed here. But like every good thing comes to an end, so does this trip.

Bhutan will give you lot of good memories and plenty of reasons to come back!