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Bhutan Cultural Tour is to witness the cultural heritage, tradition, history and religion of the Dragon Kingdom. Cultural tour in Bhutan provides full insight with visits to various cultural, religious and historical landmarks in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. Guided city tours in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha includes various age-old monasteries, temples and shrines primarily of the Buddhist religion. Another interesting tour is to Bumthang, the religious heartland of Bhutan. Bumthang has some of the old monasteries and temples in Bhutan. It was here that the second Buddha or Guru Padmasambhava meditated and surmounted many demons leaving as testimony several sacred spots and shrines. At the end of the Bhutan Cultural tour, hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ located outskirts of Paro town. Several other important sites are also visited during the tour like Punakha Dzong, Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, Mebertsho Lake -burning lake, Paro Ringpong Dzong etc. Throughout the Bhutan Cultural Tour, you will drive along picturesque landscapes, high passes, deeply- forested valleys, remote villages and small townships.
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Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3,120m)
Bhutan Cultural tour is the round up tour of Bhutan witnessing the cultural, religious and traditional heritage of the Dragon Kingdom. The tour visits Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey & the beautiful Phobijikha Valley and Bumthang. Bumthang is the cultural heartland of Bhutan with four valleys Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. Hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3,120m) located outskirts of Paro town is equally appealing.
Arrive at the Paro International Airport and after clearing your immigration formalities, we shall transfer you to Thimphu which is about an hours’ drive from Paro. Visit several locations in Thimphu like Buddha’s Point, Takin Preserve, Tashichoe Dzong, King’s Memorial Chorten, Centenary Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, Folk heritage museum etc. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu. (Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, drive towards Gangtey crossing over Wangdue. The road from Thimphu to Dochula pass climbs steeply through pine and cedar forests, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). Dochula pass often provides panoramic views of the eastern mountain range in a clear day. After stopping for a tea, descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Wangdue. At Wangdue, you will notice Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. Then make a gradual climb into the valley of Gangtey (Phobjikha). Gangtey has an old monastery ‘Gangtey Gompa’ dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor is the valley of Phobjikha, one of the beautiful valley in Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtey. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Early in the morning after breakfast, start the drive to Bumthang via Trongsa which is about six hours crossing over Pelela Pass (3,300 m) and Yotongla Pass (3,400 m). The overland drive climbs steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass(3,300m) with rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo forests. During a clear weather, the peak of Jhomulhari (7314 m) to the west can be visible. En-route you will pass through Chendebji Chorten built in style of Boudhanath Stupa of Nepal. Upon reaching Trongsa, there’s a huge and impressive Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. Afterwards, drive to the Bumthang valley described as “one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas” across the Yotongla Pass (3,400m) Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Begin sightseeing around Bumthang with visit to Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bhutan, as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. Jambey Lhakhang is erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. It’s one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro). After lunch, hike to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. Tamshing Lhakhang contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on, visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”. PM: Explore around Bumthang’s market place. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Today is a day-excursion to the Tang Valley where you drive from Choekhor valley to Tang Valley for about 2 hrs. Take a short walk to Mebar Tsho “The flaming lake” where Terton Pema Lingpa discover a treasure en-route to Tang valley. Afterwards continue driving until Mesethang which has few shops and school. Tang Rimochen Lhakhang is locaetd within a short distance situated below an enormous rock; this is a scared place where Guru Rinpoche mediated. A rock in front of the Lhakhang has a body print of Guru and his two consorts. The name Tag Rimoche (an impression of tiger’s stripes) is derived from the tiger stripes that appear on a rock cliff behind the building. Then, continue driving until reaching Kidzom village. From Kidzom, cross the bridge over Tang chuu river and climb up to the hill top Ugyen Choling manor. Ugyen choling palace was originally built by Deb Tsokye Dorji, a descendant of Dorji Lingpa in 16th century. The palace itself has been converted into a museum with a collection of all the antique pieces of things possessed by their great ancestors. Later on back to Bumthang. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
After breakfast, the drive re-traces the same route back towards Gangtey. The road journey today is bit longer with 8 hours of drive. Upon arrival in Gangtey, check-in hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtey. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Today, drive towards Punakha which is about 3 hours drive. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang en-route Punakha. Chimmi Lhakhang is a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese and is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. Later on visit Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river) Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country. Then drive to Punakha town. Overnight at Hotel in Punakha. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Re-trace the route back to Paro. Visit Rinpung Dzong in Paro built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Paro Dzong continues its age-old function as the seat of the district administration, district court and the monastic body. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Overnight at Hotel in Paro. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Early in the morning, drive to the base of the popular Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ and hike upwards. For a fit hiker, it will take 2 hours after when you will get dramatic view of the monastery. It’s believed the Guru Padmasambhava came here in a flying tigress and meditated here in the 8th century. Later on visit Kiychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Then back to Paro town for overnight stay. Overnight at Hotel in Paro. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Bid farewell to the Dragon Kingdom and we shall transfer you to the Paro International Airport to catch your onward flight. (Breakfast only)