Bhutan Travel-7Nights/ 8Days

Bhutan Travel Details Itinerary 

Situated in the eastern end of the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. A territory of just 38,394 Sq Km and a population of 763092, is regarded as one of the happiest countries in the world. With the head of state- Constitutional Monarchy, Bhutan is a Vajrayana Buddhism country. Rich in culture and Nature, Bhutan accommodates some of the beautiful mountain peaks of the great Himalayas, Gangkhar Puensum (7570m), Chomolhari 7326m are some of the examples. The Gangkhar Puensum is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Gangkhar Puensum means “White Peak of Three Spiritual Brothers”. Mount Chomolhari or Jomalhari is regarded as the most sacred mountain of Bhutan and worshiped by the people of Bhutan.

It is believed that the Bhutan word should have taken from the Sanskrit word “Bhota- anta” which means “End of Tibet” referring to the geological position of Bhutan at the southernmost Plateau of Tibet. The country is also called  “The Land Of Thunder Dragon” as the country is highly believed in Buddhism. And the people of Bhutan call themselves “Drukpa” or “Dragon People”.  From Historical evidence, it is found that the region was inhabited since 2000 BC or earlier. Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo influenced Buddhism religion here and also built Two Buddhist Monasteries in Bhutan.

In the 17th, 18th Century the country was much expanded, reaching its territory to Cooch Behar in the south, Assam in the east, and Darjeeling, Sikkim to the west, but after the arrival of the British East India Company in India, Bhutan lost much of its area and a Peace Treaty was signed with British Raj.

The political system of Bhutan is a Constitutional Monarchy and the council of cabinet ministers and National Assembly has the most power- making it eligible to impeach the king with a two-thirds majority. Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk is the king of Bhutan.

Bhutan is rich in Flora and Fauna. With varied elevation and climate, Bhutan has five seasons- Spring, Winter, Autumn, Monsoon & Summer. There are several animals found in the lowland forests and Bengal Tiger, Clouded leopard, Red Panda, Sambar, Himalayan Black bear, Hispid harem, etc. in a higher elevation. Takin is the National Animal of Bhutan. There are several national parks and conservation areas in Bhutan and most of the natural heritage sites are still largely intact. The country is a member of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation SAARC. Bhutan, by most travelers, is believed to be “The Last Shangrila” in the world.

“Apex Nepal Treks and Tours“ has been organizing Bhutan Travel & Tour for Religious and non-religious travelers for a long time. We’re an experienced group of Travel Experts & Consultants who are always in the mood of making your trip more special and more memorable by making you visit hidden path treasuries. We make sure that your travel brings a lot of Joy and Good memories along with the best experience of Culture and Nature. We highly support Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, so our tours are arranged with the least ecological and cultural impact in the society. We are also concerned about your safety measurements, so our itinerary is made suiting your physical adaptation to the high altitude. So, let’s come together and Savour the unspoiled Culture and Nature for a lifetime experience. An experience to behold.

Paro (2200m):

Filled with several sacred sites, Paro is a historical town in Bhutan. Ta Dzong, Ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, Dungtse Lhakhang and Ugyen Pelri Palace are some of the historical monuments in Paro. Built around the 15th century, Ta- Dzong, which is 6 floors and 22 meters high, is the highest building in Bhutan.

Paro Airport is one of the most extreme airports in the world, where pilots need special experiences for landing & take off due to high mountains on the surroundings (several over 5500m) and a short runway, only 1980m. Only a limited number of pilots are certified to operate commercial flights to Paro Airport of Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery of Paro, which is perched on a high cliff, is the main attraction of the country.

Paro Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest:

Built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup Cave after Guru Padmasambhava from Tibet meditated here in the 9th century, Taktsang Monastery has become a symbolic historical monument of Bhutan. Paro Taktsang is the thirteenth cave that Guru Padmasambhava meditated around. The present monastery was built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye.

Also known as Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava is regarded as the second Buddha by Buddhist scholars related to the Nyingma School which is the ancient school of the Buddhist religion.

Taktsang which means “Tigress Lair”. It is believed that Padmasambhava flew on a Tigress back to this place from a place called Singye Dzong and meditated there for some time.

Another legend tells us that the wife of an Emperor, her name was Yeshe Tsogyal, became a disciple of Guru Padmasambhava. Once enlightened she turned herself into a Tigress and carried Guru Padmasambhava to this cave for meditation where Guru Padmasambhava manifested himself into Eight Incarnated Forms.

Yeshe Tsogyal is also known as the “Victorious Ocean of Knowledge” and is believed to be the “Mother of Tibetan Buddhism”.

Hanging on a precarious cliff of 3120m above sea level and 900m above the Paro valley, is located about 10km from the center of Paro and can be reached there by Hiking. The north track through the rocky plateau is more adventurous and is called “Hundred Thousand Fairies” or “Bumda” in Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest is the most searched and visited landmark in Bhutan. The monastery is also called “Taktsang Palphug Monastery” in Bhutan.

Thimpu (2334m):

Situated in the western central part of Bhutan, with an average elevation of 2334m above sea level is a beautiful city called Thimpu- which is the capital city of Bhutan. Thimpu is the largest city of Bhutan with a 26.2 sq km area and a population of over 12000. The city is ranked fifth highest capital in the world. Regarding its geographical location & Proximity, Thimpu doesn’t have its own Airport which is unusual for a capital city. The other town- Paro, which is 52km away, has the only Airport in the country. In the early days, the Thimpu valley consisted of several groups of Hamlets. Raidak river which is also known as the Thimpu river flows through the town and originates from the Himalayan glacier. Thimpu has several places to visit around eg. Tashichho Dzong, Zilukha Nunnery, Heritage Museum, Traditional School of Arts & Crafts, Takin Sanctuary, Memorial Chorten, etc. In our itinerary, we would be spending two nights here to cover up those valuable places to see.

Punakha: Punakha is a beautiful town 72km away northeast of Thimpu valley at an elevation of 1242m above sea level. It was the capital city of Bhutan from 1637AD to 1907AD, until Thimpu was crowned as a capital city. The climate in Punakha valley is very pleasant all around the year, not too cold in the winter. The city is built on the convergence point of the two largest and most significant rivers of Bhutan- Pho Chu River & Mo Chu River. And the valley is also famous for rice farming as the soil here is very fertile and the weather is pleasant here. There are several historical and cultural monuments in and around Punakha Valley eg. Punakha Dzong, Hontsho Village, Simtokha Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, etc. Punakha Dzong is the largest Dzong in Bhutan and also possibly the most beautiful and most Picturesque one. Dzongkha language is widely spoken in Punakha Valley.

Bumthang: Bumthang Dzongkhag is very rich in terms of Spiritual and Historical legacy and also the beautiful landscape carved by the ancient glacier makes it a special place. Bumthang Dzongkhag has four beautiful valleys, they are- Ura Valley, Chumey Valley, Tang Valley, and Choekhor Valley. Choekhor is the largest among the four valleys and considered the main valley of Bumthang. The valley is very fertile. You can see far stretched fields of Rice, Potatoes, Buckwheat, and Apple Orchards. It is one of the most peaceful and beautiful valleys in the world. It provides you a serene feeling of peace in your mind and heart.

Gangkhar Puensum: Lying on the border with Tibet, this is the highest mountain in Bhutan. Towering at 7570m above sea level, it is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The name Gangkhar Puensum means “White Peak of  Three Spiritual Brothers”. In Bhutan mountains above 6000m have been prohibited to climb because of religious belief.

Chomolhari Mountain: Situated at the border of Tibet (Yadong County) and Bhutan, Chomolhari Mountain is the most sacred mountain in Bhutan. It’s a magnificent mountain towering  2700m above the plain and 7326m above sea level. The mountain is sometimes called “The Bride Of Kanchenjunga”. Mount Kanchenjunga is in Nepal and the 3rd Highest mountain in the world with a height of 8586m high.