Explore Western Bhutan

On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representatives of the company will receive you and transfer to Hotel by Cars/Buses. After lunch, visit Dra Karpo, one of the many sacred places located on a cliffside in southern Paro, at above 2,600 meters’ elevation blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Drakarpo means “the splitting of rock.” Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche meditated at the site, and split a rock into pieces, revealing an evil spirit hidden therein. Circumambulating the monastery of Drakarpo 108 times is believed to cleanse one of its sins. A short hike to the temple aside from its religious significance provides an amazing view of the Paro Valley. Overnight: Paro

After breakfast, cars or buses will drop you to the basement of excursion to view of spectacular and the most famous Taktsang monastery. You can climb up to the monastery through beautiful pine forests, many of the trees with the beautiful hanging of mosses (also called Old man’s beard) and passes through occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Stop at Taktshang Cafeteria for stunning view of the monastery and break for tea/coffee as well. Then after some time resume your hike and continue until you see clearly within reach of the monastery. It is believed that in 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic flew here on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Kurtoe to Taktshang to subjugate demons and all evil spirits obstructing to flourish Buddhism and blessed them as the protector of the doctrine. It is also believed Guru Rinpoche has meditated here for three months and took his last manifestation in the form of Guru Dorje Dragpo (fierce thunderbolt) during subjugation. Overnight: Paro

In Bumthang, visit Jampa Lhakhang. It is believed that it had been built in the year 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. When he married the Chinese princess Wencheng Gongzhu in 641, her dowry included the Jowo Sakyamuni, a priceless statue of the Buddha as small as a 12-year-old baby. As the statue was transported via Lhasa, it became stuck in the mud and no one could remove it. The princess divined that the obstruction was being caused by a huge supine demoness, laying on her back. In order to pin down the ogress to the earth forever and to convert Tibetan people to Buddhism. It is believed that he had established 108 temples in a single day.Then take a tour to Chakhar Lhakhang (Temple of Iron Castle). It is the site of the palace of the Indian King Sendha Gyab, better known as the Sindhu Raja, King who first invited Guru Rinpoche to Bumthang. The current temple was built in the 14th century by the Terton Dorje Lingpa. Later, further to Kurjey Temple. The temple complex is named after the body imprint left by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century after taming a local deity and turning him into the protector deity of Bumthang valley. End your day visiting Tamshing Goemba, it was built by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501 and is the most important Nyingma Goemba in the country. Overnight: Bumthang.

In the morning, drive toward Tharpaling Goemba. From Chamkhar town it will take almost two hours to reach the complex of temples. The Dzogchen master, philosopher and great saint Longchen Rabjampa from Nyingma sect founded Tharpaling as part of eight Lings (outlying temples) and lived there for several years in his life. This is the opportunity to take a tour to each and every temple in a complex. Overnight: Bumthang.

In the morning, visit Tang Rimochen which was built by Terton (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa to mark a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche meditated. The original name ‘Tag Rimochen’ (an impression of tiger’s stripes) is derived from the yellow stripes that appear on the rock cliff behind the temple. There are handprints and footprints of Guru Rinpoche and his consort Yeshe Tshogyal. Way back, visit the Mebar Tsho (burning lake), where the Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have rediscovered several treasures from the lake. In the afternoon, visit Lhodrak Karchu Monastery, located on the hillside opposite this massive Jakar Dzong. This is the large Nyingma monastery, founded in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, with about 400 monks currently studying Buddhist philosophy and also visit Padmasambhava Lhakhang, is one of the many sacred meditation sites associated with the 8th century Guru Rinpoche that just lies opposite to the direct view from Kurjey Lhakhang. Here Guru transformed himself into the form known as Padmasambhava and meditated at the site. Choekhor Depa Kunthub built the original temple. Later the first King Gongsar Ugyen wangchuk renovated and expanded the temple in the early 20th century or in the afternoon, in one of the temples do the rites of sacramental offering/ganachakra offering. Overnight: Bumthang

After breakfast, drive the whole day to Punakha with several pit stops on the way and in the meantime you will enjoy the scenic view and topography of Bhutan. If time permits, en-route visit Gangtey Goenpa, in 15th century treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa prophesied that a Goenpa named gang-teng (hill top) would be built on this site and that his teaching would flourish far and wide from here. Gangtey is the only Nyingma monastery found in western Bhutan. Overnight: Punakha

Drive through Dochula pass, which is at the elevation 3140m above the sea level. When the weather is clear, you can enjoy a scenic view of the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in Bhutan and Himalayan ranges stretching almost 180 degrees. Relax, grab some tea or coffee together and enjoy the picturesque view of the Mountains. Resume your journey to the capital city of Bhutan and then visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point), which was completed and consecrated in 2015 coinciding with the Descending Day of the Lord Buddha. After lunch, drive to Paro. Grab some souvenirs for your friends and families from the land of happiness. Overnight: Paro

After breakfast drive to the Airport for your onward destination. Our team will bid you farewell from the Airport.