Western Bhutan Luxury Holiday with Gangtey 8 Days

Tashi Delek and welcome to Bhutan. With your flight landing at the only international airport in Bhutan that is located in Paro (2,262m), you can get the immigration official stamp by presenting your visa approval letter (Bhutan E-visa) and your passport. After you clear the Immigration check, you will meet your local guide for the first time near the baggage delivery area. Then head to Taj Tashi Thimphu (48km, about 1.5h) and check in.

On the way to Thimphu or after settling in your hotel, according to your time and interests, you can choose to visit places like Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge (over 500-year-old iron chain bridge with colorful fluttering prayer flags), Buddha Dordenma Statue (the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world), National Memorial Chorten (a landmark of Thimphu city), Folk Heritage Museum (a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle), Motithang Takin Preserve (Takin is the national animal of Bhutan), or stroll on the main street of Bhutan’s capital city-Thimphu (2,320 m). Sure, you can also choose to stay at your sweet hotel for a good rest while getting used to the time difference.

Meals：    Dinner

Accommodation：Taj Tashi Thimphu

Today, you will explore Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu through School for Arts and Crafts, Bhutan Post Office Headquarters, and Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong). If it is the weekend you will be happy to walk around the local market in Thimphu. After the rich experience in Thimphu you can relax at you lovely hotel.

School of Arts and Crafts (Thimphu National Institute for Zorig Chusum), established by the Government of Bhutan in 1971, is an institute that nurtures exemplary craftsmanship in Zorig Chusum (13 Arts and Crafts). In the Institute, thirteen skills are taught to students. These thirteen art forms are Traditional Painting (Lhazo), Sculpturing (Jinzo), Wood Carving (Shagzo), Calligraphy (Yigzo), Papermaking (Dezo), Bronze Casting (Lugzo), Embroidery (Tshemazo), Weaving (Thagzo), Carpentry (Parzo), Masonry (Dozo), Bamboo and cane weaving (Tshazo), Gold/Silver Smithy (Trozo), Black smithy (Garzo).

Bhutan Post Office Headquarters (the General Post Office) is located near Changlam Square in Thimphu. It is home to the world's largest photo book and the most interesting collection of Bhutanese stamps. Only in this post office, you can get your personalized stamps (the stamp of your face). Great surprise to send your family and friends a postcard with your face on the stamp! (Open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 during Summer and 9:00 to 16:00 during Winter. Do note that it is closed for lunch from 13:00 to 14:00).

Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the "Fortress of the glorious religion", it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (at the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Taj Tashi Thimphu

Today you will depart Le Meridien Thimphu and head to COMO Uma Punakha which is about 81km away with over 2.5 hours’ drive via a visit at Dochu La Pass (3117m, a place with108 memorial chortens in honor of 108 Bhutanese Soldiers) and Chimi Lhakhang (follow the Divine Madman for the worship of phallus). After arrive at Punakha you will unveil the marvel of Punakha Dzong (the winter home of Je Khenpo) before check-in at your lovely hotel.

Dochula Pass (108 memorial chortens) is a place in honor of 108 Bhutanese Soldiers, there are 108 stupas called the "Druk Wangyal Chortens" representing each soldier's life that was lost in the war of December 2003. The pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags which are symbols of veneration and the best wishes for peace and prosperity for Bhutan. If the weather is good, the Dochula Pass will become the best platform to get breathtaking views of the snow-covered Himalayas.

Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple, Chime Lhakhang) is located on a hillock among the rice field and is a pilgrimage for a childless couple to seek blessings. The monk there blesses the couple with a wooden phallus that is believed to have the power to help the childless couple conceive a child. This temple is associated with the famous Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529, Divine Madman, Tibetan saint), who is famed for using his phallus to guide people to enlightenment and subdue demons. That is why you can see the symbol of phalluses scattered everywhere. You can buy handicraft souvenirs here with the phallic symbol in various colors, shapes, and sizes.

Punakha Dzong stands at the junction of two great rivers called the Pho Chu river (father river) and Mo Chu river (mother river). As the palace of great happiness or bliss, it is also known as the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. It was first built in 1637 by the founder of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and was played as the administrative center and the seat of the Bhutanese official till the capital city was moved from Punakha to Thimphu in 1955. Now, this Dzong is served as the winter residence for Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. In 2011, the Dzong witnessed the royal wedding ceremony of the 5th Bhutan's King, His Majesty Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck to Queen Jetsun Pema. If you visit Bhutan in May, you will be amazed by the breathtaking purple-blue jacaranda blooms outside the fortress.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：COMO Uma Punakha

A full day in the old capital of Bhutan for your exploration around Punakha Valley . In the morning you can enjoy a hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (a shrine recently built by the royal family). In the afternoon you can visit Limbukha Village or try rafting in the Mochu River. Then head to Gangtey Lodge (72km,2.5hours) to enjoy the facilities in your hotel.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is on the west bank of the Mo Chhu river. After across a suspension bridge, it is about 45mins' walk from the main road to the Chorten(stupa). The stupa was built in 1990 by Ashi Tsering Yangdon Wangchuck(the mother of the 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck) to drive off evil forces and bring peace to Bhutan and the world. This Chorten was a typical combination of the art, architecture, and traditions of Bhutan. It took Bhutanese carpenters, painters, and sculptors 9 years to finish this Bhutan-style pagoda. Also, you will get an excellent view of the Punakha Valley and Punakha Dzong there.

Limbukha Village is known for its love of peace and tranquility. During the annual festival, the Limbuk men are found carrying peace flags instead of swords and fireworks. We can walk along its red rice fields and have an idea about Bhutan's famous red rice which is supposed to have medicinal value. Also, you may meet local farmers in their tradition Gho or Kira working in the field with a pure smile on their face.

Optional: Rafting on the Mochu river graded 1-2 making it possible for all ages to try. March to May and September to November.The rafting distance is 10-14km and takes about 2 hours from start to finish.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Gangtey Lodge

This morning, we will have a light hike on Gangtey Nature Trail (4km, 1.5-2hours) that start from Gangtey Monastery(3030m) and ends in Khewang Lhakhang(2850m). It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. You can immerse yourselves in the beauty of the Phobjikha Valley(2840m) with farmhouses, dense pine forests, rhododendron forests, and bamboo plants on foot. During the winter, it may be a bonus to see the rare and endangered Black-neck Cranes. In the afternoon, we will drive to the Black-necked Cranes Information Center.

Gangtey Monastery (Gangtey Goemba, Gangtey Gonpa) was first built in 1613 by Pema Thinley, the grandson, and re-embodiment of Pema Lingpa (the reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche, 1450-1521). It is a beautiful temple architecture that stands on the hilltop and is a great spot to view the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. It is said that the Black-necked cranes circle the monastery three times when they arrive and three times when they leave. Each year on Nov. 11, the Black-necked Crane Festival with local songs, dramas, and masked dances is held at the courtyard of Gangtey Goemba to celebrate the arrival of the endangered bird migrating from the Tibetan Plateau.

In Black Necked Crane Information Centre, you can enter the observation room and use the telescope and spotting scopes to watch the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Every year (Oct. to Feb.), over 300 cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan for their winter months in Phobjikha Valley. As an indigenous Himalayan species, the black-necked cranes are the holy bird in the eyes of local people as it is a symbol of longevity. It was helpful for the center to protect and conserve the Black-necked crane and its species since 2003. It is a nice place to know more about the cranes and study their behavior.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Gangtey Lodge

Today you will go to Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary Paro from Gangtey Lodge (160km, 4.5 hours) via a quick stop at Dochula Pass for another chance to view the Himalayas. Also, you will have more time to discover Paro by hiking to Ta Dzong (home to Bhutan’s National Museum) and have a bird view of both Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) and Paro Valley. Don’t forget to try Bhutanese traditional archery. Then enjoy the facilities in your sweet hotel.

National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong) is famed as Bhutan's tallest building (a cylindrical structure), which is 22 meters (72 feet) high and has 6 floors. It was completed in 1649 as a watchtower on the hill above the Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968 with a rich collection of ancient artifacts like pottery, armor, thangkas, masks, stamps, photos, statues, costumes, relics, stone axes, and religious paintings...

Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), the "fortress of the heap of jewels", is built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is located near the crystalline Paro Chu (Paro River). Through a traditional wooden cantilever bridge, we can reach it to get panoramic views of the Paro Valley. As the office of the district administration and monastic body of Bhutan, the annual religious festival Paro Tsechu also takes place in its courtyard.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary Paro

Today we will drive from COMO Uma Paro to the start point of the hiking route of the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Tiger's Nest by foot (5 hours for a round trip), and you can have a rest at the view terrace which is located at the halfway point of the hiking road. Also, you can choose to ride a horse(self-paying) from the camp base to the Taktsang Cafeteria (lunch spot). Then have a visit to one of the oldest monastery in Bhutan-Kyichu Lhakang before head back to your hotel.

Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Goemba, Takhtsang Lakhang, Paro Taktshang), first built in 1692, is the iconic landmark of Bhutan. As a world cultural heritage, it is sited on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro valley. It is said that Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist saint) rode a tigress to the current site of the monastery and meditated in a cave for 3 years 3 months and 3 days. Now it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bhutan and a sacred religious site for Bhutanese to pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries that marks the beginning of Buddhism in Bhutan. It was built in 659AD by King Songtsen Gompo (Tibetan Emperor) as one of the 108 monasteries he made. In 1971 a Guru Temple was added by Her Majesty Azhi Keshang Choden Wangchuck, the wife of the Third King of Bhutan. You can see the original 7th-century Jowo Sakyamuni Statue (the same era as the one in Lhasa's Jokhang Temple) and Chenrezig with 11 heads and 1000 arms there. There is also a magical orange tree outside the courtyard that is said to bear fruits all year round.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary Paro

Time to say goodbye to Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary Paro and your journey in Bhutan, the beautiful Himalayan country. Your local guide will meet you at your hotel and send you to the international airport. Happiness is a place, wish you get happiness and great memories from the Bhutantrip with us. We look forward to seeing you again, Tashi Delek!

Meals：Breakfast     

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