A Week in Western Bhutan

Explore Bhutan’s Western World

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

OVERVIEW

This trip offers a relaxed holiday covering western Bhutan. Western Bhutan is known for its stunning beautiful scenery with rice paddy and apple orchards with rivers flowing down the mountain valleys. Most of the houses are painted with traditional designs and offers the visitor the opportunity to discover arts, architecture and the way of day to day activities of the Bhutanese. The trip covers spectacular Dzongs (fortresses) and Monasteries in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

itinerary

DAY 1 | PARO - THIMPHU

Arriving at Paro International airport and upon clearing immigration and customs, you will meet with your guide and driver. Drive about 1 hour 30 minutes to Thimphu (2,286m), the capital of Bhutan.

DAY 2 | THIMPHU TOUR

Visit the National Library, Institute of Zorig Chusum literally means the thirteen traditional arts and crafts, Royal Textile Academy, which provides an excellent introduction about the techniques, style of various textiles woven in the

DAY 3 | THIMPHU - PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING

The first stop after leaving Thimphu is Dochula pass at 10,500 ft. (23km from Thimphu – 45 minutes drive), where you can see one of Bhutan’s most enchanting views. If weather permits, from this pass, the breathtaking peaks of Bhutan’s northern border can be viewed.

DAY 4 | PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING

Drive towards Nezergang and hike about 1hour 30 minutes to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten, built by The Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck in 1999 for the protection of the country and universal peace in the world.

DAY 5 | PUNAKHA - PARO

In Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang. It is said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. According to legend, it is believed that the lhakhang holds down the left foot of an ogress, so large that it covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.

DAY 6 | PARO TOUR

Visit Rinpung Dzong (the fortress on a heap of jewels). The Dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646.

DAY 7 | PARO TAKTSHANG EXCURSION

Day hike to Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang meaning “Tiger’s Nest”, is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (also known as Guru Padmasambhava) meditated. The monastery clings seemingly impossible to a cliff at 914m above the valley floor.