Odyssey Bhutan
Highlights
The Oldest Fortress of Bhutan
Punakha Dzong
Gangtey Gompa
Trongsa Dzong
Kurje Lhakhang
Day 01: Arrive Paro | B L D
You will be met by your guide and after completion of arrival formalities you will be taken to your hotel. Evening visit to Paro market and town.
Day 02: Paro | B L D
Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) and then walk down a hillside trail to Rinpung Dzong. Afternoon visits to Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.
Day 03: Paro - Thimphu | B L D
Set off for Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Visit Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the kingdom. Afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu, visiting the National Memorial Chorten, majestic Tashichhodzong, and the Handicrafts Emporium.
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha | B L D
Morning sightseeing in Thimphu includes visits to the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan), the National Textile Museum, and the outside of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. After lunch drive to Bhutan's former capital Punakha, stopping en route where you will enjoy breathtaking mountain views, then visit Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress.
Day 05: Punakha - Wangduephodrang - Gangtey (Phobjikha) | B L D
After breakfast drive to Gangtey, on the way visiting the remarkable Wangduephodrang Dzong, stretched along a spur at the confluence of two rivers. Also visit a local village house, to gain insight into the lifestyle of the people. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, into the Phobjikha valley. In the evening, visit Gangtey Gompa.
Day 06: Gangtey - Trongsa | B L D
In the morning, explore Phobjikha valley, chosen winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan Plateau. After lunch drive to Trongsa, crossing Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830ft). Evening visit to Trongsa market.
Day 07: Trongsa - Bumthang | B L D
Visit to Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1647, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure.
Day 08: Bumthang | B L D
This area is home to many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, which contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings, then visit Jakar Dzong, "the castle of the white bird". In the afternoon, we will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bhutan.
Day 09: Bumthang - Thimphu | B L D
Visit Bumthang's market, and set off on the 7 hour drive back to Thimphu, taking lunch en route at a famous restaurant in Trongsa town and a short break for tea/coffee in Wangduephodrang before proceeding on the final stage of the journey.
Day 10: Thimphu - Paro | B L D
Free morning in Thimphu for shopping and leisure, then after lunch drive to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 11: Depart Paro | B L D
Drive to the airport, your guide will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.