Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine.

 

Buddha Point [1 hrs] – Located at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha makes it one of the largest statue of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma symbolizes indestructibility, and it is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. The Buddha statue will be completed soon, currently awaiting for the completed paintings but visitors can drive up to the Buddha point and view the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.

 

National Memorial Chorten [1 hrs] – Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten. Chorten means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Treat yourself with the fantastic depiction of Buddhist teachings in the form of paintings and sculptures at this temple. As the name denotes this National Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974, in memory of the Third King.

 

Tashichhodzong (Thimphu Dzong) [1 hrs] – The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially constructed in 1641 and restored by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

 

Opening hour:

Weekday 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Weekend 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM

Winter 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM

 

Walk Around Thimphu Town [1 hrs] – Shop and walk around Thimphu town.

We will set off early from Thimphu after breakfast. Then proceed to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, about 2 1/2 hours drive from Thimphu across Dochu-la pass. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha Dzong, the second dzong to be built in Bhutan.

 

Dochula Pass [2 hrs] – At 3,050 meter, this beautiful pass located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Himalayas mountain range with its 108 chortens that was built by Her Majesty The Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. The pass is also a popular spiritual destination for both locals and tourists.

 

Chhimi Lhakhang [2 hrs] – ChimelLhakang also know as Fertility Temple located in the beautiful village of Sopsokha right before the junction in Lobesa. The monastery stands on a small hill close to the village of Lobesa and was constructed in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpa hierarch. This monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley ‘Divine Madman’ known for his outrageous behavior.

visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children.

 

Punakha Dzong [2 hrs] – Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the Dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

 

Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge [1 hrs] – The 160 metres Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge is known for the longest suspension

bridge in Bhutan, which gives you spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley.

The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March.

 

Gangtey Goempa [1 hrs] – Situated south of the road and east of Wangdue Phodrang, is Gangtey Gompa, an old monastery dating back to the 17th century. The largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, it was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinlay.

 

Black-Necked Crane Information Centre [1 hrs] – The valley of Phobjikha is known as the winter home of the Black-necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to the end of March.

 

Remarks [0 hrs] – For Gangtey, our first choice of Hotels is Dewachen, but due to Dewachen having only 18 rooms and a

huge demand among tour operators sometimes we may not be able to host your stay at Dewachen. In that case, we shall

either go back to Wangdue to spend the night there, or we can arrange a homestay for you in Gangtey.

Briefing for the Bhutan Sports Festival [2 hrs] – Packet pick up and pre-race briefing in Gangtey.

All events will be staged in the village of Gangtey at the north end of the Valley with the start/finish area of each race near the Gangtey Gonpa, or monastery. All event courses are run through remote to rural Bhutan with small intermittent farming villages dotted with traditional Bhutanese homes. The entire Valley is enclosed by several mountain ranges and since it is bisected by the Nake Chuu and Phag Chuu rivers, the Valley floor is ripe with a special variety of dwarf bamboo which is the prime diet of the graceful Black-Necked Crane. In line with the conservation process in this area, Bhutan Sports Festival will avoid the Cranes migration time in Phobjikha, and will not disrupt the valley floor habitat where the Cranes feed and when they are in the region.

 

Bhutan Sports Festival [9 hrs] – Events Include:

 

 

The mystical Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a land of high mountains, deep valleys, picturesque villages and roaring rivers, and who’s King rules by a concept of ‘Gross National Happiness’. Your 25K or 50K trail running or mountain biking event through this, Buddhist-cultural-wonder, is a rare opportunity to race in an environmentally protected region while surrounded by prayer flags, chortens and remote villages. All on a user-friendly course in the only country on the planet that is carbon-negative. Post race you’ll experience a traditional Bhutanese culture festival overlooking the pristine Valley. Trail runners and mountain bikers of all abilities welcome.

The beautiful valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley.

 

Paro Dzong (aka Ringpung Dzong) [2 hrs] – Explore the Rinpung Dzong, which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa Chu where one may pose a photograph. Experience a walk up a stone paved path running alongside the imposing outer walls. Once inside the Dzong, you will be welcomed by the monks, architecture and the ancient frescoes.

 

National Museum (Ta Dzong) [1 hrs] – On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower. In 1968, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the first National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangka paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. Start or end your trip with a visit to this marvellous museum.

 

Paro Valley [0 hrs] – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley.

We will be making the hike up to one of the key highlights in Bhutan today! Tiger’s Nest aka Taktsang

Monastery

 

Taktsang Monastery [6 hrs] – Often called the Tiger’s Nest, perched on the cliffs, has awestruck many a visitor. “Trip to Bhutan is never complete without climbing to Taktsang”, says one tourist. Indeed, it’s true as the journey there fills you with spiritual bliss. For those not choosing the spiritual side, it is the dramatic, artistically built monument that becomes a hiker’s delight. Take a trip to this dramatically set Buddhist relic hanging from a cliff. Experience the uphill climb as you ascend

more than two thousand feet from the valley floor.

 

A prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex located on the cliff side of Paro Valley. According to legends, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a Tigress (his consort Yeshey Tshogyal) and meditated in one of the caves. Guru Rinpoche performed meditation and emerged in eight manifestations, and the place became holy, thus gaining the name Tiger’s Nest.

 

Kyichu Lhakhang [1 hrs] – Also known as Kyerchu Temple or Lho Kyerchu, is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Just like Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and pin down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built in a single night.

 

Hot Stone Bath [0 hrs] – You can go for a locally own Hot Stone Bath, which can take four people at one time. This bath will help loosen your joints, release muscle tension and invoke a profound sense of relaxation. The cost is approximately USD 25 per person.