Bhutan: Realm of Dragons and Happiness

Ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors in the 1950s, its capital, Kathmandu, has conjured up visions of mystery and wanderlust and this is as true today as it was back then. The heart of the city is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Durbar Square, but equally as beguiling are the historic squares in Patan and Bhaktapur, the other two major settlements in the Kathmandu Valley, the Hindu complex at Pashupatinath, the sublime Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the hilltop temple of Swayambhunath. Your time in Kathmandu is spent at leisure, but based on your interests, we would be very happy to discuss and arrange a sightseeing program for you in and around this enthralling city.

After a thrilling flight from Kathmandu over the Himalaya mountains to Paro, you will be met by your private guide and driver, both of whom will remain with you for the duration of your time in Bhutan, and driven to the country’s capital city of Thimphu. Stop en route to see the colourful suspension bridge near the tiny settlement of Tamchog Lhakhang and in the afternoon, explore Thimphu itself. Sightseeing is flexible depending on your interests but can include the National Textile Museum, the Jungshi paper-making factory and the National Memorial Chorten.

If possible, we recommend timing your visit to Thimphu from Friday to Sunday, as this is when the city’s colourful weekend market takes place.

This morning’s journey to the Phobjikha Valley takes you up and over the Dochula mountain pass before reaching Wangdue Phodrang, where the dzong (fortress-monastery) is one of the most impressive in the country. Viewing it from a distance only, you will then travel in an easterly and then southerly direction into the bowl-shaped glacial valley of Phobjikha. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax, and later, it is possible to visit the nearby shedra (Buddhist college) known as Kuenzang Chholing in order to witness the resident monks conducting their evening prayers.

This morning, visit Gangtey Gompa, which has one of the most enviable positions in the valley and looks out across its entire green expanse. Then walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, a 4km path that passes glacial streams, grassy plains and traditional Bhutanese-style farmhouses along its route.

The Phobjikha Valley’s most famous residents are the black-necked cranes, and later today you can learn more about this endangered bird with a visit to the nearby information centre. (The Black-Necked Crane Festival, which takes place every November in the courtyard of the Gangtey Gompa, celebrates the arrival of the cranes and is an astonishing spectacle that is definitely worth including in your schedule if your visit dates coincide). The rest of the day is at leisure.

As the name would suggest, the Gangtey 360° hike provides glorious 360° vistas of the Phobjikha Valley and the surrounding snowcapped peaks of the Himalayan mountain range. It takes about 40 minutes to walk up to the 3,400 metre-high viewpoint and after time to appreciate the breathtaking scenery, you will continue along the ridge for a short distance before descending back to the valley floor via an alternative trail that takes around 1 hour to complete.

Continue by road to Punakha, stopping at the 15th-century hilltop fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang along the way.

Punakha’s location in a warm and fertile sub-tropical valley makes it one of the most appealing places in Bhutan to enjoy a spot of hiking, and this morning’s 45-minute walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten presents impressive views of the Punakha Valley. The rest of the day is at leisure and for an additional cost, it is possible to enjoy a spot of gentle rafting on the Mo Chhu (Female River), which will take you past the Queen’s Winter Palace and the King’s weekend retreat.

Begin this morning with a visit to Punakha’s glorious dzong, arguably the most striking structure in the country, before enjoying a picnic-style lunch on the banks of the river. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport. The remainder of the day can either be spent relaxing, or you can continue exploring Punakha with a visit to Nalanda Buddhist College and/or the grand Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Lhakhang nunnery.

Drive back along the same route to Paro, where sightseeing later today will include the National Museum of Bhutan, a former watchtower that now houses a fascinating collection of more than 3,000 pieces of Bhutanese art and, if time permits, Paro Dzong, which was built to defend the then-small settlement from invaders from Tibet. There are also several temples worth discovering, including the 15th-century Dungtse Lhakhang, and the Kyichu Lhakhang which dates back to the 7th century and is one of the most sacred and oldest temples in Bhutan.

Departing in the morning, today’s highlight is a visit to Taktsang monastery, more commonly known as Tiger’s Nest. One of the most revered places in Bhutan, the monastery seemingly hangs off the face of the cliff that rises from the valley floor some 900 metres below. The roundtrip hike takes between 4 and 5 hours, with spectacular views of both the monastery and the encompassing valley along much of the route. Returning to Paro, lunch will be taken at a traditional farmhouse, and the rest of the day is at leisure.

This morning, you will be transferred to Paro airport in order to catch your return flight to Kathmandu where, on arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Kathmandu International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.