5N 6D - Signature Mysterous Bhutan Tour

Drive to Phobjikha enrouting Wangdue valley. It’s about 5 hours’ drive from here. The Dochula pass is one of the most spectacular passes in Bhutan and is about 45 minutes’ drive (22km) from the capital city, Thimphu. The pass (3080) marks the watershed between the districts of Thimphu on the western side and Punakha on the eastern side. It presents a panoramic view of these districts and some others beyond them. You can also get the panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas.

Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the periphery of the north-western tip of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley is a conservation area and lies on the northern boundary of the Jowo Durshing range.

The Phobjikha valley is also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes that migrate each year in winter from its northern habitats in Tibet and Siberia to these grounds. Take a hike along the outskirts of the glacial valley & through the blue pine forest. This is the best way to explore the valley & the cranes.

On arrival Visit Gantey Monastery. People sometimes refer to the entire region as Gangtey after the name of the Gangtey Goenpa that is situated on a ridge overlooking the Phobjikha valley. According to legend the Gangtey Goenpa was founded by the grandson (the mind incarnation) of Pema Lingpa in 1613 & it is one of the oldest seats of Nyingma traditions.

Overnight Phobjikha (Alt; 2,900m)

Early rise and take a walk out into the serene valley of Phobjikha to enjoy the sunrise & fresh air. After breakfast drive to Punakha valley which is about 2 & half hours from here.

On arrival visit Punakha Dzong (Druk Pungthang Decchen Phodrang - the Palace of Great Happiness). Built in 1637 by Zhabdung Nawang Namgyal in a commanding position at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (Father and Mother rivers).

Bhutan’s second oldest dzong served as the seat of the Kingdom's government until the time of the second King and today is the winter home of the Je Khempo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of about 1,000 monks. Some guests are so captivated by the murals, shrines and general goings on in the courtyards that they chose to spend a few hours in the dzong.

Evening, hike to Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is called the Temple of Fertility as it is believed that childless couples who come here to pray for a child is usually blessed with a child. This is the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the "Divine Madman." The trail takes you through the Himalayan paddy fields and a typical village called Lobesa.

Overnight Resort (Alt; 1,300m)

It is time to retrace our steps back over the Dochu La for a second chance of that spectacular view of the Himalayan range. Returning to the Chunzom (or confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits near the checkpoint.

On the final leg the sinuous route follows the Pa Chhu River, through apple orchards and rice paddies, past quaint homesteads to our home in the Himalaya, Paro town.On arrival visit National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong (Fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory.

Later visit the Rinpung Dzong. Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation.A flagstone path descends gradually to the beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guard houses to the Dzong. Evening visit Kichu Lhakhang, oneof the oldest temple in the country which dates back to 7th century.

Overnight Paro (Alt; 2,280m)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley, and from your closest vantage point on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will still need 200-300 mm lenses and a steady tripod to get tight photographs.

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places. But religious Leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations started pouring in from Buddhist centres all over the world, and today, the magnificently rebuilt exterior is complete. Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, "Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon." Picnic lunch on the hillside cafeteria.

Evening, visit a typical village home for a traditional Bhutanese style dinner accompanied by the local liquor called "Ara" (tastes somewhat like the Japanese Sake). Then luxuriate in the Bhutanese equivalent of a Jacuzzi called a "Chu Tse." River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub with herbs. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing.

Overnight Paro (Alt; 2,280m)

Druk Air normally departs in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged depending on the flight schedule.