Bhutan Highlights & Black Necked Crane Festival Tour

Take a scenic flight from either Delhi, India, or Kathmandu, Nepal to arrive in Paro (additional cost). Both flights will offer an incredible introduction to the breathtaking Himalayan range, with scenic views and an exciting descent into Bhutan.

Upon arrival at the Paro airport, you will be met warmly and welcomed with great hospitality. The representative will display the “Yugen Earthside” placard outside the airport terminal. This will be your tour guide during your entire visit to Bhutan.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the Thimphu hotel in our private vehicle. Drive time from Paro to Thimphu is about 1.5 hours. Along the way, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

In Thimphu, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax after the day's journey. In the evening, you can stroll along Thimphu Main Street and the bustling market area. Don't miss the Local Crafts Bazaar, showcasing exquisite examples of Bhutan's traditional arts. Here, you have the opportunity to purchase hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate, and wood carvings, as well as jewelry and unique items crafted from local materials.

Altitude above sea level: 2,350m
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours
Accommodation: 4* Hotel

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a big day of sightseeing in the Thimphu Calley including visits to the following:

• The National Library, which houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.
• The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
• Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people.
• Either the Textile Museum, which provides insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinct art forms, or the Lhendup Weaving Center.

Afterward, we'll visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), the largest statue in the country and the world's largest sitting Buddha statue at 167 feet high. Located a short drive from Thimphu's city center, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley from Buddha Point. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Moving on, we'll visit the King's Memorial Chorten. This memorial is continuously circumambulated ceremoniously by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. The construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”). The King wished to erect a monument for world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Next, we'll visit Trashichhoedzong. This impressive fortress/monastery houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body.

We can also visit the RENEW Center in Thimphu. They are taking steps to empower and train women. The botanical gardens and parks are another option, if you prefer.

Altitude above sea level: 2,350m
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, get ready to hike to the Cheri Goemba Monastery (also called the Chagri Dorjeden Monastery). This monastery was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1620. A silver chorten inside the monastery holds the ashes of Shabdrung's father.

We'll drive for about 30 minutes to reach to the base point towards the north of Thimphu. The goemba is situated about half an hour's walk from Dodena (alt. 2,600m). The trail commences by crossing a traditional wooden bridge that spans the ThimphuChhu, then climbs steeply to the monastery.

Being the place where the Shabdrung spent many years in meditation, Cheri today has numerous hermitages and small temples located on its slopes. The one-way walk to the monastery is approx 2 km, taking about 2 hours (roundtrip).

Afterward, you'll visit the Pangri Zampa Monastery, standing on the west bank of the Thimphu River just beyond the municipality's northern fringes. Although its history spans nearly 500 years, it is most famous for its role as Bhutan's Royal College of Astrology, a distinction it has held since 2003.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning after your breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha. En route, we will visit several important sites.

The first visit will be to the Bhutanese Dzong known as Simtokha Dzong, located approximately 5 kilometers south of Thimphu. The Dzong is officially called the Sangak Zabhon Phodrang which roughly translates to the Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras.

Then, we will stop over for tea at Dochula Pass (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the majestic Eastern Himalayan ranges.

Next, we will drive towards Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, or the Pungtang Dechen Phortang Dzong. This is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu Rivers, which combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu. This, in turn, is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River.

We can also visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendup, a nunnery near Punakha that is on the way.

Finally, we'll visit the Chimi Lhakang monastery, also known as Chimel Lhakang, located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. The monastery stands on a small hill close to the village of Lobesa and was constructed in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpaheirarch. The monastery is also known as the temple of fertility and is visited not only by the Bhutanese but also by women from countries as far as Japan and the United States to receive a special blessing that can help these women conceive children.

Later in the evening, you can explore the local market of Punakha.

You are invited (not obligated) to give donations to monk schools in Punakha. We are submitting a letter of request to visit one such school in person.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we'll leave the hotel and drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha) via Lawala Pass. On the way, we'll pass through Wangdue Phodrang where you can explore the local market and its famous bamboo products, slate, and stone carvings. The journey takes you through dense forests with oak and rhododendron trees, eventually reaching the breathtaking Gangtey Valley, a rare expanse of treeless terrain in Bhutan.

Following lunch, you can embark on the scenic and easy 3.4 miles (5.5 km) Gangtey Nature Trail. This pleasant walk starts from a small hill overlooking Gangtey Goemba, leading you through flower meadows to Semchubara village, then into beautiful forests and an open valley. The trail concludes at the local community school, passing by a chorten and Khewal Lhakhang.

Driving duration: 3 hours
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, visit the Black Necked Crane Information Center, which features informative displays about black-necked cranes and the valley's environment. You can use the center's powerful spotting scopes and consult its pamphlet "Field Guide to Crane Behavior" to identify and learn about these birds. If the weather is uncertain, you can peruse the library and watch a 15-minute video.

The majestic Black Necked Crane birds migrate to the Phobjikha Valley every winter. Their arrival is considered an important and auspicious event in Bhutan, and the birds are revered as sacred.

Later, explore the Phobjikha Valley, known for its stunning natural beauty, with picturesque landscapes, lush greenery, and traditional Bhutanese architecture.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, drive to Gangtey Gompa and witness the spectacular Black Necked Crane Festival, a full-day event!

Gangtey Goempa, situated on a small hill rising from the valley floor, is the sole Nyingmapa monastery in the western part of the Black Mountain's Gangtey Valley in Bhutan. It is also the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The monastery is surrounded by a sizable village primarily inhabited by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the monastery.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After having breakfast, we will continue our journey to Paro along a picturesque highway. During the trip, we will make a stop to visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the country, dating back to 1627. It now serves as the School for Buddhist studies.

Upon arriving in Paro, we'll check in at the hotel. After a satisfying lunch, our next destination is Ta Dzong, originally constructed as a watchtower, and now home to the National Museum. The museum boasts an extensive collection, featuring antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weaponry, household items, and a diverse array of natural and historical artifacts.

Following the Ta Dzong visit, we will embark on a short walk down a trail to reach Rinpung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong, meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels." This fortress has a long and captivating history. Within its wooden galleries in the inner courtyard, you will find exquisite wall paintings depicting Buddhist stories, including the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru, and other cosmic Mandalas.

To conclude our day, we will enjoy a cooking class and dinner at a local farmhouse, providing a unique and authentic dining experience!

Driving duration: approx. 5.5 hours
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning after your breakfast you will go for a hike/excursion towards Taktsang Monastery, also known as "Tiger’s Nest" (5 hrs. hike). Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang Monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world. It is a sight to behold!

Then you can spend some leisure time on your own.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is time to conclude our journey, keeping all the terrific experiences of Bhutan in mind. In the morning after early breakfast, we will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.

Meal: Breakfast

If you're interested in a custom Bhutan trip outside of these dates, we can assist with itineraries ranging from five to 11 days or longer. Contact us to design your perfect trip around Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Gangtey.