8 Days Western & Central Bhutan — Trongsa & Bumthang

Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Trongsa · Bumthang · Phobjikha · Paro

1. Day1

   Arrival at Paro — Drive to Thimphu

   Overnight Thimphu hotel

   The flight into Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain approaches in the world. You are met at the airport and driven for an hour to Thimphu, stopping at Tamchog Lhakhang, the iron-chain suspension bridge built by Thangtong Gyalpo, and at Chuzom, where the three shrines of the confluence stand in the Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese styles. In Thimphu visit the Great Buddha Dordenma at Kuensel Phodrang, the Memorial Chorten and the Trashichhoedzong, and end the day at the Craft Bazaar.

2. Day2

   Thimphu — Punakha

   Overnight Punakha hotel

   Drive to Punakha via the Dochula Pass at 3,150 m, where on a clear day the whole Himalayan range is visible. Walk through the paddy fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, then visit the Punakha Dzong, built in 1637–38 at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Later walk out onto the Punakha Suspension Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in Bhutan.

3. Day3

   Punakha — Trongsa — Bumthang

   Overnight Bumthang hotel

   A long, beautiful drive through central Bhutan. Cross the Pelela Pass at 3,353 m and stop for lunch at Chendebji, then see the Trongsa Dzong from the road — sitting on a ridge above the Mangde Chhu, it was so crucial to the country’s defence that it regulated all east–west trade. Continue over the Yotong La into the Jakar valley of Bumthang, passing Chumey village, known for its yathra weaving.

4. Day4

   Bumthang Sightseeing

   Overnight Bumthang hotel

   Bumthang is the cultural heartland of Bhutan, where Guru Padmasambhava first brought Buddhism at the invitation of a local king. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, with its three steps said to mark the three ages; Kurjey Lhakhang, where the oldest temple holds a body print of the Guru on a rock; Mebartsho, the Burning Lake, where the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa found sacred relics; and Tamshing Goemba, built by Pema Lingpa and home to a chain-mail armour it is thought auspicious to carry around the temple three times.

5. Day5

   Bumthang — Gangtey (Phobjikha)

   Overnight Gangtey hotel

   Return west across the Pele La, visiting the Trongsa Ta Dzong, the former watchtower that now houses the national museum, and the Chendebji Chorten, patterned on the Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu. Descend into Phobjikha, one of the Baeyuls or hidden valleys and the winter home of the black-necked crane, and visit the Gangtey Goempa that dominates the valley.

6. Day6

   Gangtey — Paro

   Overnight Paro hotel

   An early start for the long drive back to Paro — about seven hours, with a lunch stop in Thimphu and time for any last souvenir shopping. On arrival in Paro, visit the National Museum in the Ta Dzong watchtower, with its collection of thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and household objects, then walk down to the Rinpung Dzong.

7. Day7

   Paro — Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest)

   Overnight Paro hotel

   The hike to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, on the face of a sheer cliff above the Paro valley — about two hours uphill to the viewpoint, through alpine forest. Afterwards visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, and, if time allows, Dumtse Lhakhang, built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.

8. Day8

   Departure from Paro

   Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Paro International Airport for your flight onward. Tashi Delek!