In this Bhutan Thunder Dragon Tour, you can explore up to central part of Bhutan. The central part of Bhutan is a place to get the good amount of chugo, a hard, chewy dried cheese snack popular among the Bhutanese
and the place to get the local woolen made jacket and bedcover. Not only that, Bumthang was used as the seat of the first king of Bhutan and Trongsa has always been of great political importance to the leaders of Bhutan due to its commanding location in the center of the Nation.
Explore the pristine and untouched environment of Bhutan
Learn about the Kings of Bhutan.
Learn about the political Parties of Bhutan
Explore the unique culture of Bhutan
Be with the friendly people of Bhutan.
Find out how Bhutanese People are happy.
Explore about the Gross National Happiness.
Enjoy visiting all the sightseeing places in Bhutan.
Learn about the Bhutanese way of Life.
Learn about the Bhutanese Culture.
Explore Bhutan’s Buddhism.
Explore the central Bhutan.
Day 01. Arrive to Paro –Thimphu
On the arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative from Authentic Bhutan Tour will warmly welcome & greet you and we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through the sound of peaceful river flowing of Paa-chu and Thim-chu. It’s a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas.
On reaching at Thimphu, we can have a lunch in one of the restaurant. After lunch, visit Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Big Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue under construction in the mountains of Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Druk Desi. Upon completion, it will be one of the largest Buddha in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). Evening, stroll around Thimphu city, visit to Tashichho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu hotel.
Meal Plan: Welcome Dinner Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu
Day 02. Thimphu Halt
After having breakfast, visit to Paper Factory, the Bhutanese Desho paper factory in Bhutan, weaving center, the hand woven clothes. Then, visit to Changgangkha temple, founded in 12th century by great Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhipo and visit to Drupthop nunnery, the place which was founded in 15th century and later built in the year 1976 by Reki Jigdrel. Lunch will be serving in one of the restaurants in Thimphu.
After having lunch, drive to Mothithang mini-zoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin). The Takin(Budorcas Taxicolor) as a National Animal of Bhutan is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Then hike to Sangyegang Cross hike, the hike will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes through the beautiful pine forest. Through this hike, we can see the beautiful valley Thimphu city. Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Thimphu Hotel
Day 03. Thimphu – Wangdi Phodrang/Punakha
After having breakfast, we will drive to Wangdi/Punakha, over Dochula, 3150m above the sea level. While reaching at Dochula, if the weather is clear you can see the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan including the highest mountain of Bhutan, the Gankar Puensum (7554m), which is the unclimbed mountain in Bhutan. The drive will take around 3hours and 30minutes and lunch will be serving on the way to Wangdi.
On reaching at Lobesa, hike to Chimme Lhakhang, which was founded in 15th century by Devin madman Drukpa Kuenley. The hike will take around 1hour and 30minutes for too and forth. Then, we will continue our journey to Punakha, on reaching at Punakha, visit to Punakha Dzong, the seat of the administrative system and the Central Monastic Body, including the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Paro Hotel
Day 04. Wangdi Phodrang/Punakha- Phobjikha (Day Excurtion)
After having breakfast, drive to Phobjikha valley, over Lawala Pass, 3280m above the sea level. The Phobjika Valley is the winter roosting place for the Black-necked Cranes – visit central Bhutan to roost, circling the monastery three times on arrival and repeating this circling when returning to Tibet. Before reaching at Lawala pass, if we turn back when the weather is clear, we can see the second highest mountain of Bhutan, Jhomolhari (7454m). The drive will take around 3hours to reach at Phobjikha valley. In winter, we can see the yaks around these passes.
On reaching at Phobjikha, visit to Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of two main center Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in the country. The main seat of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa tradition. The Monastery’s history traces to the early 17th century and back to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa in the late 15th century. Then, hike to Gantey Natural trail, the hike will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes through the blue pine trees. Lunch will be serving at Phobjikha. After having lunch, we will drive back to Wandi/Punakha. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Wangdi Hotel
Day 05. Wangdi Phodrang/Punakha - Paro
After having breakfast, we will drive back to Paro over Dochula passes, 3150m above the sea level. When the weather is clear, we can see the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan and the highest mountain of Bhutan Gangkar Puensum (7554m), above the sea level. The unclimbed mountain in the world. The drive will take around 4hours to reach at Paro and lunch will be on the way to Paro.
On reaching at Paro, visit to Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this region. The original structure was built in the year 1646 by the great unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Evening stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Paro Hotel
Day 06. Paro –Haa (Day Excursion)
After having breakfast, we will drive to Haa through the Chelela pass, 3880m above the sea level. From these pass also, if the weather is clear we can see the second highest mountain of Bhutan the Jhomolhari, 7454m above the sea level. The drive will take around 3hours and 30 minutes and lunch will be serving at Haa.
On reaching at Haa, visit to Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagkpo founded in 7th century by 33th king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo. After this we will make round of Haa town and we will drive back to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Paro hotel
Day 07. Paro Halt
Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria.
While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of avoloketeshivara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize).
Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Paro hotel
Day 08. Paro - Airport
After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.
This is a sample itinerary, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, tour conditions, group options and the physical condition of participants, may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on tour. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of our guests, safety, comfort and general well being.
Start planning your tailor-made Dream Holiday to Bhutan – The Land of happiness!
In order to experience the best and rewarding fulfillment clients must plan in advance the different logistics that you have in your minds before actually venturing into the world of trips. You might have wishes and hopes for which you need to plan.
The following information will help you to plan your dream trip to Bhutan.
1. When and how to visit Bhutan?
Choose your traveling date like Arrival/Departure date. You also need to choose entry/depart Bhutan via AIR or LAND.
By Air: Druk Air, the national carriers is the only service operator in the kingdom and operates several flights per week from Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi & Kolkata (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal) to Paro (Bhutan). The Paro International Airport is located about an hour and a half drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Paro airport is daylight restricted, and the flights are totally dependent on the weather. As a result, sometimes flights are delayed. It is therefore a good idea to keep at least 24 hours of transit time for connecting flights out of Paro. You might also want to consider traveling on a non-restricted ticket so that if you miss a connecting flight, you can be rerouted or seated on the first available carrier.
Sometimes flights into Paro are disrupted because of unfavorable weather conditions. If this occurs, the flight will stop for the night at the transit airport. To be prepared, you may want to carry your essential personal items in your carry-on luggage.
By Land: Phuentsholing, a Bhutanese town in the southwest has road access to India. It is located about 170 km from the Indian domestic airport at Bagdogra, West Bengal. Phuentsholing is about 172 km from Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan and is about 6hours drive distance. And S/
2. What are your itineraries?
All the tours can be customized and extended as per our valued client’s requirements. There are sample itineraries for your kind reference and it will give you some general idea of the likely trip scheduled.
Complete the tour request form and submit it to us. Send us correct name list. We will send you the flight reservation status via email.
After confirming your reservation, we need the scanned copy of member’s passport.
Please remit us full payments and send us the copy of remittance paper via email. Visa will not be accepted without full payment.
We will send you the flight ticket copy and Visa Clearance Copy prior to your departure to Bhutan via email. You need to print out and carry along with you.
Start packing and looking forward to have a memorable trip in the LandThunder Dragon, DrukYul.
Hot stone bath (Dhotsho) is a traditional bath of Bhutan, where a tradition of heating up stones and then soaking in the water that is in turn heated by the stones. This is also a curative method and is used throughout the country We Bhutanese belief that this bath has so much of medicinal benefits. Some diseases are curable-like joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorder, arthritis and many other minor diseases. Especially for the old age, where we have lots of body pains, joints pains helps a lot by this Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho).
I think, the minerals in the rocks have certain chemicals, which can cure certain disease of our body. Hot stone bath has no side effects. It is in its pure natural form. We can organize the hot stone bath during your stay in Bhutan.
The Bhutanese textiles are rich, vibrant, and colorful and are a complex art form as well as an integral part of the Bhutanese culture. This Bhutan weaving experiences will give you an insight about the rich textiles in Bhutan. You can sit one of the handlooms of Bhutan and weave your self practically. We promise that you will really enjoy this with great satisfaction in your life.
We will also see or learn the natural coloring and dyeing. You can bring your own materials like handkerchief to dye and color. So visit Bhutan and experience it practically by yourself.
Folk Performing Arts & Music in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
We have Cultural Program Performing groups, which they will perform like Traditional folk songs, dances and keeps original tunes and dances alive. Moreover, new choreography for some traditional and regional songs is sometimes developed.
The troupe also performs mask dances that have historical and spiritual significance.
Tiger’s Nest is most visited spot in Bhutan and it is much awaited by every tourist who visits Bhutan to climb to Tiger’s Nest.
It takes about 2 hrs 30mins up steep climb through the forest of pine, oak and Rhododendron. However you can ride the horse and climb till the Taktshang cafeteria.
The above activities can be incorporated easily into your travel itinerary. However some activities need to pay some additional fees. So let us know which activities you would like to experiences so that we will include in your invoice.
Speak to a specialist
Email: info@authenticbhutantours.com
Cell: 00975-17343434
Get inspired by the trip ideas on our website and in our brochures. Then speak to us for first-hand expert advice and if you’re ready, start planning your trip in detail.