7 Days Central Bhutan Tour

Your Guide from All Right Holidays will receive you at the Airport. After Tea, drive to the ruins of the DrukgyalDzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt.Jhomolhari (7,314 m). Dinner and over night in Hotel.

A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery - After breakfast a short drive takes us to SatsamChorten, from there a 2 hour horse ride till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the TaktsangJakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of ParoGyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.
After Lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the NationalMuseum. Below the museum is the ParoRimpungDzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Over night in Hotel.

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the DupthopLhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch we drive to Bhudha temple and BBS tower from where you could see the bird eye view of Thimphutown.Other highlights include a visit to the TashichhoDzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We drive to SimtokhaDzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shabdrung in 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.

Afterbreakfast,Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. In Punakha, visit PunakhaDzong built in 1637 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, ZowePalep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named DrukPungthangDechenPhodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.Dinner and overnight in Hotel. 

After breakfast drive to Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to WangdiphodrangDzong (from outside) built in 1638 now the ruins. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of Buddhist religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey. While in Gangtey, visit GangteyGompa. GyaltsePema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of PemaLingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin LegpaiDhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, KunzangPemaNamgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. After lunch, Explore the valley. Dinner and over night in Guest house.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit Folk Heritage Museum. Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.