Bhutan Itinerary 11 Days

Your guide and driver will receive you at the Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. A short stop on the way to view Tamchog monastery built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo. He is also popularly known as the Iron Bridge Builder.

Then visit Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the head quarter of central monastic body. The annual Thimphu festival is held here in early autumn.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

• National memorial chorten built in honor of third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and for the world peace.
• Tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world at Kuensel Phodrang park (51.5 m).
• The school of 13 arts and crafts (Zorig Chusum) or the painting school.
• Folk heritage museum.

After lunch, visit to:

• National postal museum.
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
• Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu valley.
• Sangaygang view point.
• Takin preserve center (The national animal of Bhutan).

In the evening, visit to the craft bazaar and free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Punakha and visit:

• Beautiful Dochula pass (3140 m) with 108 stupas where the annual Druk Wangyel festival is held on the 13th December.
• Rhododendron garden at Lampelri.
• Chimi lhakhang (Temple of fertility) built in the 15^th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He is also popularly known as “The divine madman of Bhutan”.

After lunch, visit the majestic Punakha dzong built in the 17^th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This dzong also serves as the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan. The dzong hosts the annual Punakha festival in early spring.

In the evening, enjoy the walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 m).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, hike to the imperial Khamsum Yulley monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Then drive to Gangtey. NOTE: Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey and lower part is called Phobjikha.

On the way, visit Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa monastery built in the 17^th century by Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. Then visit black-necked crane information centre.

In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black-necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Bumthang.

On the way, visit the Trongsa dzong built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.

Afternoon – Visit the Ta dzong which has been converted to the royal heritage museum.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

The sightseeing in Bumthang is the main highlight of 11 days Bhutan itinerary.

In the morning, visit to:

• Jakar dzong, literally means “The castle of white bird”, built in 1667 by Nagi Wangchuk.
• Jambay lhakhang built in 659 AD by the king Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet. In October, one of the most spectacular festivals, “Jambay lhakhang Drup” is staged here.
• Kurjey lhakhang where you can see the body print of Guru Rinpoche on a rock.
• Tamshing lhakhang established in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa.

After lunch, visit to Mebar Tsho which literally means, “The burning lake”. The Terton Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden in the 14th century by Guru Rinpoche.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, explore Tang valley and visit to:

• The Ogen Choling palace museum.
• Explore the holy sites of Guru Rinpoche.

After lunch, drive back to Bumthang valley and visit cheese factory and Kencho Sum lhakhang.

Then free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Badbalathang airport and fly to Paro.

After lunch, visit to:

• Ta dzong (National museum of Bhutan) built in 1656 and which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in the 17^th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal where the grand annual Paro festival is held in mid spring.

In the evening, visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Satsam chorten and hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (2 hour walk – one way).

After lunch, visit to:

• The ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong built in the 17^th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kyichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to the Haa valley via Cheli La pass (3820 m). Enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas including Mt. Jomolhari.

While in Haa valley, visit Chorten Nagpo and Karpo which were built by King Srongtsen Gampo in 659 AD.

Then visit Haa Dzong.

After lunch, drive back to Paro. On the way, back visit to the Kila Gompa nunnery, one of the oldest nunnery in Paro.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Bhutan itinerary 11 days).