Western and Central Bhutan Cultural Tour

Receive by Rainbow Representative. Transfer to hotel.

After lunch visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong).  The Museum was the former watch tower for the Rinpong Dzong.  It was converted into the National Museum in 1968.  The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley.  En route back to hotel visit Paro Rinpong Dzong.  This is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school.   The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• In the morning take a hike to Taktsang Monastery. Bhutan’s most scenic icon or the most important landmark, Taktshang the Tiger’s nest clings to the side of a steep cliff 300 meters above the Paro valley. The place was first visited by Guru Rimpoche, founder of the tantric form of Buddhism in Himalayan countries, in the 8th century.  It was said that he meditated there for about three months.  The original temple was built in the 17th century, but tragically, it was consumed by fire in 1998.  Like a phoenix, the temple was rebuilt to its fullest glory in 2003.  Takshang is considered to be the 10^th-holiest site in the Buddhist world. You can visit three different temples inside the main Takshang complex. Riding Ponies provided upon request.
• Lunch at Taktshang Cafeteria.
• After you descend from Taktshang, visit Kychu Lhakhang (temple).  This is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan.  The inner temple was built by a Buddhist Tibetan King, Srongtsen Goempo in the 7th century.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• En route visit an ancient monastery built in the mid 15^th  century by a Bhutanese saint “Thangthong Gyelpo” who introduced the iron chain bridges in Bhutan.  Five kilometers from Thimphu lies the oldest fortress, Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Rimpoche, a Tibetan Lama, who came to Bhutan in 1616.  After Semtokha Dzong drive to Thimphu and check in at hotel.
• In the evening visit Thimphu town.

Dinner and Overnight : Hotel in Thimphu.

• Morning visit the Week-end Open Market where people from all over western Bhutan bring their vegetables and crafts for sale.  This is an excellent photo shoot opportunity (Provided day 04 falls on Friday,Saturday or Sunday)
• Afternoon: Hike to Tango Monastery and meet the child lama and the monks.

The hike takes about 3 hours round trip.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

The drive takes about 3 hours.  En route stop at Dochula Pass (3150 m), 30 Km from Thimphu, for tea and biscuits and enjoy a view of the Eastern Himalayan mountains.  From Dochula to Wangdue, it’s another two hours drive.  After lunch in Lobesa, visit the Punakha Dzong.  This is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong is built between two rivers known as “Phochu” (Male River) and “Mochu” (Female River).   After Punakha  take a short hike to Chhi-Med Lhakhang  in the picturesque Lobesa valley, to visit the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman”.

Overnight/Hotel in Wangdue.

• Valley, the winter habit of the famous black-neckedcranes which migrate from Tibet and Siberia.
• Visit the roosting place of the cranes, the famous Gangtey Monastery and the local carpet factory.
• In the evening visit a farm house for local hospitality.

Overnight:  local Guest House.

Crossing Yotungla Pass (3425 m) and get the first glimpse of the Black Mountains and yaks along the way.

Dinner and Overnight: Local Guest House

Walk through farms, fields and forests to the temple. The temple is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche and its is supposed to have been blessed by the  Saint in the 8^th Century. The temple is built on a rock face and resembles the Taktshang Monastery in Paro. The to and fro trip to the temple will take approx. 5 hours. Enroute, a side visit to the Thangbi Monastery, an 18^th Century temple and interact with the monks over a cup of yak butter tea.

Dinner and Overnight: Local guest house.

• Morning:  visit Ugyenchholing Dzong (Tang Valley) Drive for 1 ½  hours drive then walk for another 1 hour through farms and fields finally climbing a small rise to reach the Dzong. Enroute visit Rimochen Temple, another temple blessed by Guru Rimpoche and where imprints of the Saint’s foot and body can be seen on the rock.
• The Ugyenchholing Dzong was formerly the palace of Trongsa Penlop Tsokey Dorji. It now houses a museum.
• Evening:  Drive to Trongsa

Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Trongsa.

FULL DAY TRONGSA FESTIVAL

Overnight:  Hotel in Trongsa.

• Morning: Attend Festival
• Afternoon: Drive through forested roads to Kuenga Rabten Palace, the winter residence of the Second King of Bhutan. Distance 25 Kms from Trongsa.

Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa

Morning:  Attend  last day of FESTIVAL.  After lunch drive to Wangduephodrang.

Dinner and Overnight:  Hotel.

En route stop in Thimphu for lunch and visit the following places before going to Paro:

• National Library.
• Textile Museum.
• Arts and Crafts Centre.
• Local Paper Factory.

Evening:  drive to Paro for overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.