Western Central Bhutan Tour is an exciting destination for all visitors. It includes some of the most significant historical and religious sites in the country. The district of Trongsa has always been of great political importance to the leaders of Bhutan due to its commanding location in the centre of the nation while Bumthang district has some of the most ancient and important temples and monasteries in Bhutan.
Duration: 9 nights / 10 days
Day 01. Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m)
Your Guide from Ola Tours and Trek will receive you at the airport and drive you to the Hotel.
After lunch, visit to:
- Ta Dzong – National Museum (built in1656 and renovated in 1968)
- Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”) – built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
- Hike to Nunnery.
- Village walk.
- Mountain biking around Paro valley.
Day 02. Paro – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m, 54 km) Excursion to Taktsang Monastery:
After breakfast, visit to:
- Taktsang Monastery(Tiger’s Nest) – one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor.
- Ruins of Drukgyel dzong – built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.
- Kyichu Lhakhang – the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu. On the way, view
- Tamchog Lhakhang – dedicated to the 13th century to Thangthong Gyalpo, the bridge builder.
Day 03. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m).
After breakfast, visit to:
- Takin Preserve centre – The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat.
- Painting School- Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
- National Memorial Chorten – built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
- Nunnery- Zilukha nunnery in Drupthob Goemba, Thimphu is biggest nunnery in Bhutan.
After lunch, visit to:
- Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) – visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang)
- Weekend market – Located below the main town, near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan.
- Tashichho Dzong – built in 1641 and later rebuilt in its present form by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965.
Optional Activities you can choose:
- Hike to Cheri Monastery / Tango Monastery / Phajoding Monastery.
- Village walk at Kabisa.
- Mountain biking around Thimphu
- Bhutanese Cultural show.
Day 04. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m).
After breakfast, visit to:
- Folk Heritage Museum- It is dedicated to connect people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programmes and documentation of rural life.
- Textile Museum – The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the royal collection.
- Changangkha Monastery – It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang.
After lunch, hike to:
- Cheri Monastery – built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1620
Optional Activities you can choose:
- Weekend Market
- Hike Phajoding Monastery.
- Village walk at Kabisa.
- Mountain biking around Thimphu
Day 05. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 2 hrs drive).
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass (3116 m)
- Dochula – You can see the higher Himalayas, if the weather permits
- Royal Botanical Park at Lam Pelri.
- Chhimi Lhakhang – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “Divine Madman”.
After lunch,
- Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Drive to Talo Goenpa
- Khamsum Yulley Lhakhang
- rafting in Mo Chhu/ Pho Chhu
Day 06. Punakha – Gangtey: (Altitude 3120 m).
After breakfast visit to:
- Construction site of Wangdiphodrang Dzong razed by fire in 2012, (from outside) built in 1638; under construction now.
- Gangtey Gompa – Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup.
After lunch,
- Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Gangtey Natural Trail (Gangtey)
Day 07. Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang: (Altitude 2800 m, Distance 188 km, Drive Time 4 hour drives.)
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa and visit to:
- Trongsa Dzong- built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.
- Ta Dzong – an ancient watch tower
Day 08. Bumthang Sightseeing: (Altitude 2800 m.)
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang and visit to
- Jakar Dzong – Founded by great grand-father of the first Shabdrung, the Dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549.
- Jambay Lhakhang – built in the 7th century by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo.
After lunch, visit to:
- Kurjey Lhakhang – Kurje Lhakhang consists of three temples. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten wall.
- Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message) – founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the re-incarnation of Guru Padsambhava.
- Membarstho (Literally means “The Burning Lake”) – in Tang valley is a wide spot on the Tang Chhu (chhu – water / river) considered to be one of the greatest pilgrimage sites of Bhutan.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Tharpaling Monastery: This excursion begins with 30 minute drive to Lamigompa. The hike will take about 5hours.
. Walk to Bathpalathang and visit Red Panda Beer factory, Swiss Cheese factory.
Day 09. Bumthang – Thimphu (212 km): (Altitude 2320 m)
Early breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch will be served on the way.
Day 10. Departure: (Altitude 2280 m) Early morning, drive to Airport and Farewell.
