8-Day Bhutan Itinerary: West Bhutan to Trongsa

You will be received by a representative from Byways Tours and Travels at the airport and driven to Thimphu.

After lunch, visit Buddha Dordenma, the tallest Buddha statue in the world at 51 meters. Then visit the Takin Preserve Center to see Bhutan's national animal, followed by the Nunnery and the School of 13 Arts and Crafts (Zorig Chusum), famous for traditional carving and freehand art. Here you will find students whose aptitude is more artistic than academic. After lunch, visit the authentic Bhutanese Craft Market. In the evening, stroll around Thimphu City for shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha Valley via Dochula Pass (3,140m). We stop at the pass to admire the 108 memorial chortens, and if the weather is clear, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges.

Upon reaching Punakha Valley, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of Fertility, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (the Divine Madman) in the 15th century. Then visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the reign of the second king, it served as Bhutan's capital. The construction was foretold by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. The Zhabdrung ordered his architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep before a Buddha statue; in his dreams, the Zhabdrung took him to Zangtopelri (Paradise) and showed him Guru Rinpoche's palace. From this vision, the architect conceived the design, never committing it to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, meaning Palace of Great Happiness. Punakha remains the winter residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo), and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Phobjikha Valley (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) via Wangduephodrang. Along the way, stop to photograph the reconstruction of Wangduephodrang Dzong, which was destroyed by fire in 2012.

In Phobjikha, visit Gangtey Gompa, founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa. The temple was later expanded by Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation. If interested, enjoy a beautiful 45-minute hike from Gangtey Gompa to the valley floor. Then visit the Black-Necked Crane Center, where you can observe these rare birds through telescopes. Two injured cranes are kept near the center. Black-necked cranes are rare migratory birds that winter in Bhutan and return to the Tibetan Plateau in summer. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Museum (Ta Dzong), a former watchtower converted into a museum in 2008. Then visit Trongsa Dzong, built in 1643 by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, an official sent by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to unify eastern Bhutan. It was enlarged in the late 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgye. The official name is Chhoekhor Raptentse Dzong, also known as Choetse Dzong.

Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family. The first two hereditary kings ruled from this dzong, and tradition still dictates that the crown prince serve as Trongsa Penlop (Governor) before ascending to the throne. The current king became Trongsa Penlop in 2004.

After lunch, drive back to Phobjikha Valley. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit the Weekend Market and watch an archery match if available. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. Enjoy an evening stroll around Thimphu City. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the National Library, which houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, followed by the Folk Heritage Museum.

After lunch, drive to Paro and visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower built in 1656, renovated in 1968, and converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong currently houses the administrative offices of Paro District and a monastery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, embark on an excursion to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang). The total distance is 7.4 km (4.5 miles) round trip and takes a minimum of 5 hours. The elevation at the starting point is 2,600m, and the monastery sits at 3,100m above sea level.

A 25-minute drive from the main town of Paro takes you to Satsam Chorten, where the trail begins. The path climbs through beautiful pine forests, with many trees festooned with Spanish moss and occasional groves of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for rest and refreshments at Taktsang Cafeteria, then continue until we see Tiger's Nest Monastery clearly within reach. The history dates back to the 8th century when Guru Rinpoche, a tantric master, flew to this place on the back of a flying tigress—said to be his Tibetan consort Yeshe Tsogyal—and meditated in a cave nearby. The temple was built in the 17th century by Penlop Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer cliff that plunges 600 meters into the valley below.

After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest Buddhist temples, built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. In the evening, stroll around the charming town of Paro for final shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Early morning, drive to Paro International Airport for your departure. Bid farewell to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Tashi Delek!