Western Bhutan walking holiday, tailor made to your abilities, and designed to explore the spirituality of this remote Himalayan Kindgom and its stunning landscapes. Local guides accompany you as you explore beautiful protected ares, helping you undersatnd the culture of a land still drapes in mystery.
Discover your daily itinerary and how the NAT team works to make your trip the best it can be.
Daily Itinerary For Eight Days Trip
Day 1: Paro-The valley of un-surpassing beauty.
The cultural highlights of Paro resemble so much the intricate and beautiful textiles worn by the people during the valley’s annual festival. Explore the Rinpung Dzong which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. This first outing is meant to familiarize you with the history of Bhutan and a visit to the National Museum is the very best way to quickly learn the culture and natural history since it houses everything that is Bhutanese in a very different museum style that will delight you.
Day 2: Thimphu-Cruising the capital’s cultural core.
The capital has an interesting combination of tradition and modernity, and includes some of the most advanced and remotest parts of the kingdom. It is home to the Kings and the Royal family members, civil servants, expatriates, politicians, business persons and monks. Enjoy this cultural mix based on livelihood. Of culture we will take you through temples, dzongs, chortens, museums, handicraft stores, nunneries, parks and many more. Allow yourself to meet both traditional and contemporary artists.
Day 3: Tango Monastery- Participate in Local Temple Life.
A beautiful, sacred site, it is an hour hike through rhododendron forest to reach the monastery. Perched on the hillside, looking out over the forested mountains, it is truly a place of refuge. Tango is one of Bhutan’s most important Buddhist colleges. Its name, meaning horse’s head, is derived from the horse-head shaped rock at the top. It is a beautiful dzong built in the 18h century by the 8th Desi, Druk Rabgye. Today Tango is home to the reincarnate Lama, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. A visit to Tango Monastery provides you a wonderful opportunity, to participate in local temple life.
Day 4: Punakha-The ethereal ancient capital.
Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. This district, levelling from 1300m at the valley floor rises to almost 3000m around Dochhula pass, served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907 and the 1st National Assembly was held here. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.
Day 5: Chorten Nebu Walk.
The walk to Chorten Ningpo passes through several villages. Many visitors love this walk in summer and in autumn. In summer the rice fields are lush and gardens are filled with multitudes of vegetables and fruits. Likewise autumn enchants visitors with the golden hue of ripening rice.
Day 6: Wangdiphodrang
The land of ornamental speech. Wangdue Phodrang is an important gateway to the far flung districts of Eastern Bhutan. The dzong perched on a ridge overlooking the Punatsangchu and Dangchu rivers was built in 1639. As the name speaks the dzong of Wangdue held a powerful position during pre-monarchy days. Apart from the great dzong, its cultural wonders lie in the villages.
Day 7: Taksang-Tiger’s Nest Climb
Perched on the high cliffs Taktsang is referred to as the Tiger’s Nest, it has always inspired and awestruck many a visitor. “Trip to Bhutan is never complete without climbing to Taktsang”. Indeed it’s true as the journey turns into a pilgrimage and fills you up in spiritual bliss. For those not choosing the spiritual side it is the dramatic and the artistically structured monument that becomes a hiker’s delight. Let us take you to this magnificently set Buddhist relic hanging from a cliff. Feel the exhilaration of the uphill climb as you ascend more than two thousand feet from the valley floor.
Day 8: Depart
Alas, everything good has to come to an end. We’ll go to the airport after breakfast to catch your flight home.
The physical and spiritual magnificence of this less visited, quiet country can be appreciated on this five or eight-day Western Bhutan walking trip, including excursions to outlying villages and temples. This trip also ensures reduced motor vehicle usage, helping preserve the general quiet, save on fuel, and maintain the healthiest environment and bodies possible.
Get in touch to learn when to visit and what might be going on when you want to go walking in Bhutan.
