Set amid the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas, the small mountain kingdom of Bhutan is a unique destination which retains a distinct character largely untouched by the modern world. Geographically, the country is squeezed between the behemoths of China and India but with a population under a million it feels something of an anomaly.
A deeply Buddhist nation, the country maintains a deliberate separation, forging a divergent path from global homogenisation, best exemplified by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, where the country measures the wellbeing of its citizens rather than their economic wealth. Visiting Bhutan feels like a privilege, an opportunity to gain a rare insight into a lifestyle and culture that is very different from anything that you will experience elsewhere.
Itinerary
Most of the country, including all coastal areas, enjoys a so-called Mediterranean climate, almost identical to much of California. Summers are hot and dry with a 7-month period of near-constant sunshine generally from April until November.
Day 1 – ARRIVE PARO & TRANSFER TO THIMPHU – (55 KM/approx 1:30 hour drive)
Arrive Paro by flight.
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along Himalayan foothills, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air.
After immigration formalities you will be welcomed by our representative with a “tashi khaddar” (white scarf offering to the guest which is an auspicious way to welcome guest.
After the welcome ceremony, board the vehicle and drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence).
On arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 1,00,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
Lunch.
After lunch walk around National Memorial Chorten, a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. This is the most ideal spot to interact with locals who throng in large numbers to circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at a small shrine inside the gate. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Afterwards take a short drive to the north of town to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.
** Here at the Buddha point you have an option to perform meditation at a designated room.
After divine moments under the giant Buddha statue, drive back to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (altitude 2,320m)
Day 2 –EXCURSION & EXPERIENCES IN THIMPHU
DAY 02: EXCURSION & EXPERIENCES IN THIMPHU
Early morning take a short drive to northern end of town to perform Tshewang ceremony at 12 century Changangkha Lhakhang : It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang.
This is a special prayer ceremony held at the monastery by a team of monks for the peace, prosperity and good health, guests are required to lit butter lamp at monastery alter.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Choki Art and craft school where we learn the art of Thangkha painting (sacred scroll) under the supervision of an expert master.
The art of Thangkha painting is as old as the people themselves and it has been passed down from generation to generation, from a master painter to a novice student. We use natural pigmented soils to paint. We will learn to paint the eight lucky signs & Buddhist deities those often painted on the wall of monastery and Bhutanese home.
After the painting session, board bus to drive 15 km to Pangri Zampa, 16th century one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan located just north of Thimphu. Here is a monastic school where Buddhist students monks learn Lamaism and astrology based on Buddhist philosophy. An interaction with student monks here at the monastery can be a gratifying experience.
Return to town in time for a picnic lunch arranged at the most scenic spot flanked by the crystal-clear Thimphu Chhu (River).
Lunch is followed by a short city tour visiting Textile Museum, the living national art of weaving. The place introduces the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men.
Continue on to Simply Bhutan Museum: The newly commissioned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. The uniqueness of the structure is in its composition of the materials used. The structure is built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional and old demolished houses. The best part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people.
Drive further up to visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s 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.
Before dinner time, take leisurely walk to local craft Bazar recently established under patronage of Department of cottage & small industry and in collaboration with the department of culture, tourism council and the department of agriculture marketing and cooperatives, this market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts thus contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts.
Evening before dinner time, we will invite one of the learned scholars who deliver the most comprehensive lecture on any chosen subjects such as Buddhism and it philosophy, Gross National Happiness & general introduction to Bhutan and its people.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3 – FLY TO CORFU
DAY 03: EXCURSION TO PUNAKHA (150KM, APPROX 5 HOURS ROUND TRIP JOURNEY)
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.
At Dochula Pass, 108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty-five chortens, the second has thirty-six and the top layer has twenty-seven, built around the main chorten.
Prayer flag hoisting at Dochula pass:
Prayer flags are an integral part of Bhutanese landscape and also the cultural and religious heritage of the country especially the textile and weaving craft. They are ubiquitous in Bhutan; in and around monasteries, chortens or stupas, dzongs, lhakhangs, homes, on the railing of bridges and mountain roads, and invariably on or near the summit of the mighty peaks that preside over the country. Red, blue, green, yellow and white, they add a splash of rainbow colours to the rugged landscape. Deeply religious, the people of Bhutan believe that with each flutter, a flag releases the prayer printed on it into the air which in turn carries it to the heavens.
Picnic lunch at Riverside.
Later visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majesticdzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.
Then embark on a rafting expedition to Pho Chu river. Pho Chu, with its approx 16 km course with about 15 rapids of class 2 – 4 is the most popular for rafting in Bhutan. During this meticulously organized river rafting trip, you journey through the most scenic and secluded miles featuring incredibly blue water, breath-taking alpine scenery, sighting world’s rarest birds and amazing rapids on the backdrop of striking 17th century Punakha Dzong.
Evening tea & refreshment at the end of rafting expedition and later drive back to Thimphu.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4 – DRIVE TO PARO – 55 km/1:30 hour drive
After leisurely breakfast at hotel and short stroll around hotel area board the bus to Paro. Drive is ecstatically interesting passing through paddy fields, orchards, stupas with large section of road running parallel to the river.
On arrival, check into hotel.
The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paro river). Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its 
Later witness / participate in Archery:
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and every village has its own archery range. Using bamboo bows (although modern compound bows are now common in cities) team of archers shoot at targets only 30 centimeters in diameter from a distance of 120 meters. Each team has a noisy crowd of supporters who, as well as encouraging their own side, try to put off the opposition. Archery competition are among the most picturesque and colorful events in the country and are the integral part of all festivities. Inter-village rivalry is common throughout the Kingdom and this rivalry is no more fiercely expressed than during annual archery tournaments.
Lunch served at archery venue.
Post lunch, visit to:
Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Ta Dzong visit is followed by a short walk down to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Rest of the evening relax and enjoy the serenity of sleepy Paro valley.
Overnight at hotel (altitude 2,280m)
Day 5: PARO – TIGER’S NEST HIKE (5 HOURS ROUND TRIP WALK)
After breakfast, drive to Satsam chorten for excursion to Taktsang monastery:
On arrival at trail-head point, embark on a walking excursion to Taktshang Monastery: It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Later in the afternoon return to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure or shopping/souvenir hunting etc.
A gala evening awaits you at hotel premises with bonfire (rain permitting). The grand way to end your 6 day Bhutan sojourn, an experience you’ll cherish the rest of your life!
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Image Gallery
While the Mediterranean climate characterizes most of the country, there are two other climate systems that are present. One is the cool Alpine climate which is found on mountainous areas of the country’s interior, including many high-altitude valleys.