Cultural Sightseeing of Bhutan - Black Diamond Expedition
  • Tiger Nest Monastery
  • Phunakha - Bhutan

Cultural Sightseeing of Bhutan

(5 Reviews)
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From$4,000
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  • Duration
    Duration:10 Days
  • Accomodation
    Accommodation: 7 Nights (Standard Hotel)
    2 Nights (Farm house/Camp)
  • Meals
    Meals :9 Breakfast, 8 Lunches
    9 Dinner
  • Location
    Service: Airport to Airport
  • Trip Grade
    Trip Grade :Easy
  • Max Altitude
    Max Altitude:

Overview

Cultural sightseeing of Bhutan offers the best experience of nature as well as culture of Bhutan. Bhutan, the best getaway for families, friends, romantic travelers, adventure lovers and nature lovers, is a country with innumerable places to visit. Since you have chosen an awesome destination having full faith in Black Diamond expedition for your sightseeing, we want you to make the most of your trip. You will have an opportunity to explore how The Land of Thundering Dragon has been a mountaineer’s paradise for many years through trip of cultural sightseeing of Bhutan operated by Black Diamond Expedition. The hospatilatiy and the delicious Bhutanese cuisine gives you a thrilling experience. Your visit to the famous places such as Thimphu, Paro, Bumthang, Mongar, Lhuntse, Phuentsholing, Phobjikha, Punakha, Gangtey and Haa gives you a breathtaking view of natural beauty, monasteries and great mountain valleys.

Bhutan’s unique cultural and traditional values are the essential embodiments of the nation’s identity. As an independent sovereign kingdom, Bhutan has preserved and promoted its distinct cultural identity especially for you. This unique identity has protected and sustained Bhutan in general and Bhutanese tourism industry in particular. The country has developed a peculiar architectural style of its own .Each dzong, temple and monastery built in Bhutan displays a great innovation as well as a unique creation, different from one another. Nevertheless, each of them maintains a perfect unity of architectural style throughout the kingdom. We bet you will not have a single second a waste.

Cultural sightseeing of Bhutan offers you an opportunity to visit the great fortresses, also called dzongs, built with innovative and striking examples of architecture to share with the world. Chortens are particularly the commonest structures in Bhutan. All over the country, you can find a number of chortens of various size ranging from very small to very large.

Lhakhang (temples) are fairly small building of simple design, seem to have been the first forms of religious architecture. Your journey will definitely be an exhilarating journey. You will sightsee two types of Goembas (monasteries) in Bhutan. The ‘Cluster type’ Goembas, such as Dzongdarkha in Paro valley, comprises of a core formed by one or two temples with various dwelling structures grouped around. Phajoding in Thimphu valley and Tharpaling in the Bumthang valley are some other examples of the cluster type Goembas. The ‘Dzong type’ Goembas, on the other hand, are built like citadels with the central tower. These Goembas like the Gangtey and Tango in upper Thimphu valley enclose the temple being surrounded by exterior walls consisting of monks cells and service rooms.

Highlights

  • Mesmerizing views of Himalayas
  • Visit to Bumthang, the historical heart of the kingdom
  • Interesting museum at Tang valley
  • Negligible driving time
  • Costumizable trip as per your desire
  • Very good facilities available
  • Number of beautiful short hike options
  • Iconic climb to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival, drive to Thimphu

Arrival by plane to Paro airport and drive to Thimphu or in case of arrival by land, crossing border from India in Phuntsholing/Jaigon and full day drive to Thimphu. Stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. Depending on arrival time visit of Tashicho dzong, the castle, which serves as seat of the king and government. If time permits, visit of the other sights.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2Thimphu – Wangdue

Early morning drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. See Memorial Chorten, always busy with devotees. Walk in Norzin lam street and see the traffic police signalling in junctions. Thimphu is only capital in the world without the traffic lights. Finish walk in main postal office with shop where beautiful and valuable Bhutanese stamps can be bought. Visit school of traditional arts, where the young men and women learns the arts and craft of their forefathers. Excursion to Takin enclosure, where the national animal, the mysterious takin, is kept. After that Changankha lhakhang, the oldest place of worship in the valley. Later transfer to Wangdue Phrodrang over Dochu-la pass (3010 m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3Wangdue– Gangtey

Short morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with wonderful view of the valley and it‘s terraced paddy fields. See the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan stretching the length of 350m over Pho Chhu river. Visit of Punakha dzong, which counts as the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom. Short walk to Chhimmy lhakhang temple, devoted to 15th century saint Drukpa Kunley, know as “Divine madman”, who did taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and rampant sexual behavior. If time permits, also visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery with Bhutanese and Nepali style stupa, overlooking the valley from the high hill. Drive to Gangtey and pristine Phobjika valley. Optionally you can attend lesson on Buddhism led by accomplished master with translation to English in Gangtey monastery shedra (buddhist college). You might also like to spend overnight in local farmhouse as a host of welcoming family or even try the hot stone bath, traditional Bhutanese treat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Gangtey – Trongsa

Visit of historical Gangtey gompa. 2½ hour walking tour through the valley is one of the most beautiful and easy hikes in Bhutan. You will go through the buckwheat and potato fields to the mixed forest with trees decorated with old men’s beard lichen and finally you will get a view of marshland. Here, in late autumn and winter, rare black neck crane can be seen. Finish hike with the lunch in local farmouse to taste local kitchen and other delicacies like the salty suja tea and ara spirit. Drive to Trongsa over Pele-la pass (3500 m) with stop at Chendebji chorten which was built to resemble Boudhanath stupa of Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5Trongsa – Jakar

Visit the great Trongsa dzong, the castle from which the royal dynasty of Bhutan has risen. Intricate museum in watchtower Ta Dzong hosts number of interesting artifacts related to royal dynasty, history of Bhutan and many religious statues and temples. Drive to Jakar over Yotong-la pass (3550 m). Visit of Red Panda brewery or other sight, if time permits.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6Jakar

Visit of sleepy castle Jakar dzong and old Jambay lhakhang temple, which pins down the leg of giant demoness. Walk to Kurjey lhakhang temple complex. After exploring the place, enjoy the picnic lunch on beautiful riverside. Finally continue walk to Tamshing Gompa, the temple where you can wipe your sins by carrying the chain-bar smithed by 15th century blackmisth-saint Pema Lingpa. Explore the town with it’s interesting curio shops and welcoming local restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7Jakar, excursion to Tang valley

Drive to Tang valley and hike to Ugyen choling palace which hosts wonderful private museum with carefully selected artifacts used in medieval Bhutan for various activities. If you feel strong, you can climb to Kundzongdrak gomba overlooking valley from sheer cliff. Otherwise you can visit nunnery, hosting the Buddhist nuns of all ages. You should not miss so called “Burning lake” Membartso where the treasure of scriptures hidden here by magician-saint Guru Rimpoche were discovered by saint Pema Lingpa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8Jakar – Paro (by flight)

Taking domestic flight to Paro is extraordinary experience. You will see many of the seven and six thousand meters high mountains on the border with Tibet, including Gangkhar Punesum which counts as the highest mountain never summited by men. After landing in Paro, visit National museum and Paro dzong, castle where Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. Explore the lively small town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9Paro

Drive to castle-ruins of Drukyel dzong, from where you can see the top of holy Jomolhari mountain. Explore the calm Kyichu lhakhang which also pins down giant demoness body. Climb to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), is the highlight of the tour. While the hike seems to be hard, it’s very rewarding. If you don’t feel so strong, you can climb just halfway to cafeteria with nice view of the place. You can consider to climb in the morning or early afternoon depending on weather, your fitness and preferences.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Departure Day

If time permits, you can make visit to Dzongdrakha gompa, the temple built below the rocky cliff which beauty is only rivalled by Tiger’s Nest. Perfect place to give Bhutan good bye! After that you depart from Paro by flight or take 6 hours drive to land border in Phuntsholing.

Tour variants, extensions and combinations:

Haa valley homestay (+2 nights): At the end of the tour, you can drive over the Chele-la pass (nearly four thousands meter high) to rarely visited Haa valley. On the way you can do hike to Kila gompa, oldest nunnery in Bhutan from 14th century and also experience high altitude on the ridge of the pass from where Mt. Jomolhari and Kanchenjunga can be seen in clear weather. In Haa you’ll stay in three hundred years old farmhouse as a guest of local family. Haa is less visited valley due to the fact, it’s home to Indian military base. Anyway the nature is very pristine and so are the villages. You can visit few local temples and also make nice village hike around.

Tshechu festival (+1 night): With proper planning, we can arrange that you will experience annual tsechu festival in some of the castles or monasteries. There are many festivals in Bhutan, so we can definitely fix your travel dates to match. We just need to start planning well ahead (optimally more then 6 months before) in order to secure flight tickets and hotel reservations.

Gasa Hot springs (+2 days): Gasa is highland region north of Punakha, just recently connected by road. Apart from beautiful dzong and vistas of nearby high peaks, you can enjoy the natural hot springs, so called “tsachu”. There is number of pools with different temperatures. Water is sulphurous and at’s believed it’s beneficial for number of skin ailments. It’s great relax in luxorious pools anyway. Sleeping in Gasa is arranged in local farmhouse to try authentic Bhutanese hospitality.

Omit Tang valley (-1 day): If you need to save time, omit the excursion to Tang on day 7.

Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Necessary airport, hotel and airport transfers
  • Bhutan Visa Fee
  • Government approved A and B category hotels on twin sharing basis
  • Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
  • Kathmandu-Bhutan-Kathmandu airfare
  • Airport tax
  • Entrance fees and permit
  • Overland transport in comfortable private vehicle
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Experienced English speaking guide
  • Government royalty, tax and Fees
  • Service Charge

Excluded

  • Travel insurance
  • Beverages
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Tips to guides and drivers
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc

Accomodation

During your tour to Bhutan, hotels are categorized by the government into grades A, B, and C, where government-approved hotels equate to 3-star standards. Our company ensures bookings in A-rated and B-rated hotels. There are also camping facilities while doing this tour.  Most hotels offer twin-sharing rooms with an attached bathroom and hot shower facilities. Single supplement rooms are available for an additional charge. 

Meals

During the Bhutan tour, you will be served three-course meals featuring a variety of cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan, and Continental. The food is healthy and hygienic in this tour.  There will be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals available for travelers. 

When to Travel?

The best season for the tour to Bhutan is between March and May or October and December. The combination of favorable weather conditions, stunning natural beauty, and cultural experiences makes spring and autumn the preferred times for trekking in Bhutan. Travelers can enjoy the major festivals celebrated in these seasons in Bhutan, they are Thimpu, Tsechu, Black Necked Crane festivals, and Jambay Lhakang

5 Reviews
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Pierre Dupont

Group Traveller

Joining the October trip to Bhutan, I met six strangers from different countries. Despite our differences, we bonded over exploring together. From Paro Airport to Phuntsholing, we marveled at Bhutan’s beauty. Exploring Tachog Lhakhang and Thimphu’s streets, we laughed and shared stories. Wangdue Phrodrang and Gangtey offered peaceful moments, while visits to Punakha Dzong and Trongsa enriched our understanding of Bhutan’s history. Climbing to Paro’s Tiger’s Nest monastery was a shared victory. In Bhutan’s stunning landscapes, we found friendship and unforgettable memories. I highly recommend it to all.

October 26, 2023

Marie Martin

Family Traveller

Traveling with my son, his wife, and two grandchildren to Bhutan was an unforgettable experience, and easily the best trip I’ve ever had. Being able to create cherished memories with my grandchildren while witnessing their love for me was incredibly heartwarming and emotional. Thanks to Black Diamond’s assistance, this trip became a reality, and I’m immensely grateful for their help. From exploring the stunning landscapes of Bhutan to bonding with my family, every moment was filled with happiness and love.

October 20, 2023

Olivia Jones

Family Traveller

Our family’s Bhutan adventure was pure magic! From Paro Airport to Phuntsholing, every moment was filled with wonder. Our kids loved Tachog Lhakhang’s ancient bridge and exploring Thimphu’s bustling streets. Wangdue Phrodrang and Gangtey offered peaceful retreats, while encounters with takins and visits to Punakha Dzong sparked excitement. Trongsa and Jakar’s forts fascinated us, but climbing to Paro’s Tiger’s Nest was the ultimate highlight, bonding us as a family. Bhutan stole our hearts with its beauty and adventure! I highly recommend it to all.

April 20, 2023

Liam Smith

Group Traveller

My Bhutan journey began with a breathtaking arrival at Paro Airport, surrounded by the Himalayas. Driving from India into Phuntsholing or Jaigon offered equally stunning vistas. Along the road to Thimphu, a stop at Tachog Lhakhang introduced me to Bhutan’s ancient heritage. In Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong provided a regal glimpse into Bhutanese culture.Exploring Thimphu’s bustling streets and finding peace in Wangdue Phrodrang and Gangtey were unforgettable. Meeting Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, and exploring Punakha Dzong were highlights. Trongsa and Jakar revealed Bhutan’s rich history amidst serene landscapes.Paro’s Tiger’s Nest monastery, though challenging to reach, offered breathtaking views. Each day brought new discoveries, leaving me with cherished memories of Bhutan’s captivating beauty and culture.I highly recommend it to all.

April 15, 2022
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