This is one sample itinerary to give you an idea. We will provide you a customize journey as per your number of days, preferences and mode of transportation within the valley.
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Day 1- Arrival & Drive to Thimphu
Day 2- Transfer to Punakha Valley
Day 3- Whitewater Rafting, Khamsum Chorten Hike and Biking
Day 4- Journey to Gangtey (Valley of Black-Necked Crane
Day 5- Longtey Hike
Day 6- Journey to Bumthang (Central Bhutan)
Day 7- Short Bike Ride and Audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck
Day 8- Registration and Blessing
Day 9- Race Day “Tour of the Dragon”
Day 10- Drive to Paro
Day 11- Hike to the Mighty Tiger’s Nest
Day 12- International Departure
Day 1- Arrival & Drive to Thimphu
Distance: 53kms /32 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour approx.
Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.
Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu
Lunch: Depending on your flight time
Check in to the hotel and after freshening up visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, which is dedicated to the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (1928-1972). The day’s journey will continue with a visit to the Buddha Dordenma Statue, this massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. In the evening explore the authentic Bhutanese craft bazaar, Bhutan’s first craft market in Thimphu town.
In the evening, you can try your hands on Bhutan’s National game, ‘Archery’ with some local wine.
Archery in Bhutan (in Dzongkha it’s called “Da”) is the national sport of the Kingdom and is a common feature of everyday life. It was declared the national sport in 1971 when Bhutan became a member of the United Nations. It is played differently than most international competitions and is seen as a celebration of the country’s way of life.
Day 2- Transfer to Punakha Valley
Distance: 76kms / 47 miles
Drive Time: 2.5 hours approx.
Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft
Overnight: Six Senses Punakha
Lunch: Picnic
Today you will bike until Lobesa, Punakha, en route you can visit Dochu La (pass) and upon reaching Punakha you will visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong. Biking to Lobesa will be a good practice and you can get acclimatized with the weather and altitude. This is the same route you will bike on the race day.
On the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the Dochula Pass offers a beautiful 180-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as the “Divine Madman” or the “Mad Saint”, who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and carved wooden phalluses on housetops.
The majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as “the palace of great happiness or bliss” is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan and was constructed on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire Ox year in 1673. End the day by exploring the longest suspension Bridge in Bhutan, built over the Pho Chhu (river), serving as the main thoroughfare between Punakha town and the surrounding villages.
Day 3- Whitewater Rafting, Khamsum Chorten Hike and Biking
Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft
Overnight: Six Senses Punakha
Lunch: Six Senses Punakha
Spend a morning on the water and discover a whole new angle of Bhutan. If you are new to rafting and looking for an enjoyable and easy scenic float down the river and along the stunning Punakha Dzong, we recommend the Mo Chu (Female River). The Pho Chu (Male River) on the other hand is for the more adventurous, who wish to tackle some of the Kingdom’s whitewater while enjoying the pristine forests and farmland on either side of the river. Rafting offers a more leisurely adventure with a private raft for your group or if you wish to go solo, kayaking offers as much of a challenge as it does thrill.
After lunch, we do a pleasant hike to Khamsum Chorten. The hike takes you through rice paddies and up the twirling trail to Khamsum Chorten and the beautiful view of the valley below.
Khumsum Chorten stands majestically on the hill above the Punakha Valley while admiring the gorgeous traditions and architecture of the Kingdom.
On your return, you can bike all the way to the hotel.
Day 4- Journey to Gangtey (Valley of Black-Necked Crane)
Distance: 78 km / 48.4 miles
Drive Time: 3 hours approx.
Altitude: 3000m / 9800 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Gangtey
Lunch: Amankora Gangtey
After breakfast, we make our journey to the beautiful Gangtey Valley. You will start your bike ride from Lobesa roundabout till Nobding or Gangtey Junction. Then drive all the way to the Amankora Gangtey lodge. After checking in to the hotel, you can either walk or bike to the Gangtey Goemba, a 16th-century monastery situated attractively at the hilltop at the edge of Gangtey Village.
After strolling back thru the village, we will start our descent along the valley floor by following the Gangtey Nature Trail, an easy pleasurable walk or bike ride giving you a nice feel of the Phobjikha Valley. The approximate 2-hour walk takes you downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara Village and ending on the Tabeding football ground where your driver waits for you. If you wish you can visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre on your way back to the Lodge.
Day 5- Longtey Hike
Duration: 30-minute drive to the starting point, 3 – 5-hour walk back towards the Lodge.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Overnight: Amankora Gangtey
Lunch: Picnic / Amankora Gangtey
If you are looking for a picturesque hike through some of the most beautiful parts of Gangtey, this is the one! The starting point is Longtey Village on the East-West Highway, where a gradual ascending path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully colored rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley during spring months, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area.
The path continues straight through the village and upwards until you reach the start of enchanting old-growth rhododendron forest. For the next two hours or so, you might feel like you are in the set of The Lord of the Rings with tall old trees, which appear to be living creatures, surrounding you. The last part through the trail is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass, which offers impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley. This is a nice place for lunch before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu Village. It is possible to get picked up from here or you may continue down to the Shedra.
In the evening, treat yourself to a traditional hot stone bath. The bath is situated in a candle-lit stone hut in Tokha village, a fifteen-minute walk from the lodge. The sliding bamboo doors allow full privacy yet open views of magnificent Phobjikha Valley.
Day 6- Journey to Bumthang (Central Bhutan)
Distance: 188kms / 116 miles
Drive Time: 6 hours approx.
Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Bumthang
Lunch: Picnic
After breakfast, you can either choose to bike all the way from the lodge or start biking from the junction. You can mix your journey with bike and car ride till you reach the lodge.
In the evening, you can rest at the lodge or stroll your way through the beautiful cozy town of Bumthang.
HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and entourage will also arrive on the same day.
Day 7- Short Bike Ride and Audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck
Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Bumthang
Lunch: Amankora Bumthang
At 09:00 am, you will have to gather at Chamkhar bus parking where you will meet all the participants of the “Tour of the Dragon”. From there you will make a short excursion to Jambay Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang, followed by a short ride to Mebar Tsho and back.
Jambay Lhakhang is believed to have been built in the year 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, on the same day as Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, in order to subdue a Tibetan demoness.
Kurjey Lhakhang is named after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche who was invited to meditate here in 746 AD to subdue evil spirits and demons.
Membartsho (The Burning Lake): The story has it that Pema Lingpa had a dream that he would find a treasure where a wooden bridge spans across the trapped river-water pool. He later ventured into the river pool carrying a burning butter lamp in his hand saying if he were an apparition of evil the lamp would be snuffed out and if not it would continue to burn on his resurfacing from the water. He dove into the pool and returned with the treasures and the lamp still burning. Since then the lake has been known as Membartsho.
In the late afternoon, there will be a briefing and an audience with HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.
Day 8- Registration and Blessing
Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Bumthang
Lunch: Amankora Bumthang
Registration validation and race packet pick up in Bumthang. Followed by a blessing ceremony by the Lam at the lodge to keep you safe from all obstacles.
Day 9- Race Day “Tour of the Dragon”
Ride Time: 13 hours
Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Thimphu
Lunch: AID station located approx. 20kms apart
Today is your big day, you will get your wakeup call at 12:00 am and breakfast at 12:30 am. At 01:00 am you will have to report at the start area for bike inspection. Sharp at 02:00 am the race will start with flag off by Dasho Dzongda (Governor).
Your guide and car will follow you throughout the race at a distance.
The final cut-off at Dochula Pass is at 06:00 pm. At 07:00 pm, there will be an award ceremony at the Clock Tower Square, Thimphu.
Day 10- Drive to Paro
Distance: 69.6kms /43.2 miles
Drive: 1.5 hours approx.
Altitude: 2200m / 7218 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Paro
Lunch: Amankora Thimphu
After a good rest and lunch, we will depart to Paro valley. If time permits you can do some local sightseeing or shopping in Paro valley.
Day 11- Hike to the Mighty Tiger’s Nest
Altitude: 2350m / 7218 ft.
Overnight: Amankora Paro
Lunch: Farmhouse
Today we will hike to Taktsang Monastery and later visit Drukgyel Dzong after lunch. Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude, north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery, also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest”, is the most famous, unofficial symbol of Bhutan.
After lunch, a visit to Drukgyel Dzong is a wonderful way to spend a late afternoon/early evening. A thirty-minute walk across open fields and village houses takes you to this historically significant structure where you can stroll around and gain insight into the history of the Kingdom. Before the sun sets, sit down by the big prayer wheel below the ruins, and relax whilst admiring the rural scenery and changing sky. Make your way back to the lodge by following the car road before the day turns to night…
Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1649 to celebrate a decisive victory over Tibetan forces and to curtail further invasions.
Day 12- International Departure
This morning you bid farewell to Bhutan.
TASHI DELEK- May all good things come to you!
The Luxury Stay includes:
Package Cost:
TOD Journey cost per Person: USD $22721
TOD Journey cost for two People: USD $28076
TOD Journey cost for three People: USD $35860
Rates and government tax are subject to change without notice