Mysterious Bhutan Tours

Mysterious Bhutan Tours brings you to the most mysterious places to explore and gives you an awesome Bhutan tour experiences.

Day 01: Arrive  Paro (By Druk Air flight)

Representatives or CEO from Mysterious Bhutan Tours and Adventures will receive you at the airport with drive you the short distance to the hotel. After Tea, visit watch tower of Paro Dzong which now houses the National Museum. The museum is an important center for the preservation of Bhutanese artifacts, culture and history. Then, we continue to Rinpung Dzong (or Paro Dzong), which means “the fortress of the heap of jewels.” This complex houses the religious bodies and the administrative headquarters for the Paro district. From the Dzong, enjoy a short and easy trail to the traditional cantilever (wooden covered) bridge and then after lunch, drive to Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress which is 16 km north of Paro Town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Jomolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,329 m /24,029 ft.). And on the way back visit Kichu Lhakhang which is the oldest and the most sacred shrine of Bhutan built in 8th century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. In the evening take a leisurely stroll in Paro town. And night in the hotel.

Day 02: Paro to Thimphu.
After breakfast drive to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, “The Father of Modern Bhutan”.  Built in a typical style, there are numerous religious paintings and the complex tantric statues reflecting both the peaceful and wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. This Chorten is also a center of worship for the people living in Thimphu. Then visit to Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit Changkha Monastery (This monastery was built in 15th century by the lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo) where the new born child of Thimphu valley are taken to receive 1st blessing from a High Lama. Drive to Mini Zoo where Takin, the national animal of Bhutan is preserved. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region and the head of this animal looks like that of a goat and body of a cow and before sun set drive to Sangay gang view point (2685 meters) to have bird eye view of whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that dot the hill. Dinner and Overnight in Hotel at Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu.
After breakfast, visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Zorig Chusum (Painting School) where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).We can visit in different class rooms, where students follow a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and progresses through painting, wood and slate curving, and statue making. Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Visit Handicraft Emporium for shopping Bhutanese Various Arts and Textiles.
After lunch visit we will hike to Tango Monastery. The trail Tango is a climb of 280 meters and it takes an hour to reach the monastery. Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the monastery in 12th century. The present building was built in 15th century by Drukpa Kuenley, “Divine madman”. This is one of the best places for meditation for Buddhists.
In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). In 1216 the lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa built Dohon (Blue Stone) Dzong on the hill above Thimphu Where Dechen Phodrang now stands. A few years later Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu line age to Bhutan, took over Dohon Dzong. In 1641 the Zhabdrung (The one who unified the country) acquired the dzong from the descendants of lama Phajo and renamed it as Trashi Chhoe Dzong. He then arranged to house both monks and civil officials in the same Dzong. Present it is a seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 4: Drive Thimphu –Punakha
After early breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, where you can see 108 Bhutanese Stupas. If the weather is clear you can see all Himalayas Ranges with all snow covered. Further drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is situated between the two rivers and it is one of the biggest rivers in Bhutan.  Walk through the beautiful wooden bridge to reach the Dzong. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the capital of Bhutan. In the evening short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, this was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. (This monk is popularly known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “The Temple of Fertility”.  Sterile women from far and wide come to this Temple to get blessed.  Dinner and over night in Hotel at Punakha.

Day 5: Drive Punakha –Trongsa via Phobjikha valley
Early breakfast, drive to Wangdiphodrang and visit Wangdue Dzong, which was founded by Zhabdrung in 1639.It is situated on a hill with a commanding view of the valley. It is believe that protective deity, yeshey Gonpo told Zhabdrug Rimpoche that if he builds a dzong on the ridge he would be able to bring the whole country under his power. Wangdue means to bring under one’s power. Continue your drive to Gangtey valley. It is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of the Himalayas. Visit Gangtey Gompa from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. En route stop at Chendbji Chorten built in 18th century by Lama Shida, from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot and continue drive to Trongsa. Dinner and Overnight in Hotel

Day 6: Drive Trongsa-Bumthang.
After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Drive to Bumthang via Yongtala Pass. On the way stop to see Bhutanese Carpet Factory, where they used Yak and Sheep wool and even pure silk to weave different carpets and the Bhutanese Textiles., after lunch visit Jakar Dzong, built in 1667.  Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.  In the month of October one of the most spectacular festivals, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. Visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Overnight at Bumthang.

Day 7: Day Excursion to Tang Valley
Drive to Ugyen Choling Palace built in 17th century by Deb Tsokey Dorji, a descendant of Buddhist Saint Dorje Lingpa. Ugyen Choling is a national treasure, privately owned by the same family for hundreds of years.  Its remote location makes it one of the less frequently visited historical sites in Bhutan, hosting fewer than two hundred guests per year.
The best part of the Palace is the quaint museum housing permanent exhibits on three floors in the main building and the Utse, the central tower.  Traditional living quarters are recreated to capture the realistic ambiance of the ancient lifestyles and conditions of the households.  Everyday kitchen and weaving utensils, war weapons–including petrified yak dung to make gunpowder–tools and farming implements are the main part of the exhibits. On the way back from Tang stop to see Shemjong Village and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake). Overnight in the hotel at Bumthang.

Day 8: Drive Bumthang- Wangdue.
After early breakfast, drive to Wangdiphodrang via Trongsa and today it will be the long drive and stop at Chendebji Cafeteria for lunch. En route stop in different places for the photography and have the view of beautiful valleys. Dinner and Overnight in Hotel at Wangdiphodrang.

Day 9: Wangdue – Paro.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and visit Simthokha Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. After lunch drive to Paro. Evening, stroll leisurely around the beautiful valley of Paro. Dinner and overnight in Hotel at Paro.

Day 10: Day Excursion to Haa Valley.
Start the day early for drive to Haa via Chele-la pass. After driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for 45 km, reach Chele-la pass (3822 meters). From this point one can have a superb view of Mount. Jomolhari and Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view. Drive on to Haa, descending all the way for another 22 km (under an hour’s drive), finally reaching Haa. The Haa Dzong is presently occupied by military, but the view from outside is stunning. After picnic lunch visit famous monasteries, Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) The central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to be almost identical to that of the Jowo temple in Lhasa. Legend has it that local deities assisted in the construction of Lhakhang Karpo. Local historians maintain the Black Temple and the White Temple were built at the same time as Kichu lhakang in Paro. The monk body is housed in Lhakhang Karpo .The annual Haa Tshechu is held here.  And apart for this festival, every year 11th lunar month a series of special mystical practices are performed near black temple for a week. Evening in the resort at Haa.

Day 11 Haa – Paro

After breakfast, take a leisurely drive back taking the other road around to Paro. On the way, stop at several places to take photography and take a glimpse of villages scattered by the hill side. Have a picnic lunch by the roadside and in the late afternoon reach Paro. When in Paro, walk around the town and visit Handicrafts shops and in the evening dinner at farm house at Paro village. Night back in the hotel to prepare for next day’s early morning hike to Taktsang.
Day 12: Hike to Taktsang(Tiger Nest Monastery).
Day Hike or Mule ride to Tigers Nest Monastery.  One of the most venerated places   precariously perched on the side of a cliff 800m above the Paro valley floor.  Guru Rinpoche visited this place on a back of flying tigress and meditated here in a cave for 3 months. Therefore this place is highly venerated and people from all over the world come to visit this amazing monastery. From the road point the hike up to Taktsang, takes about 2-3 hours depending on how strong walker you are. It is preferable to carry sun screen, hat, water and walking stick. Lunch at Cafeteria which offers an imposing view of the cultural landmark. (The hike can be quite strenuous and a pony ride to the monastery can be arranged at additional cost). The late afternoon is free to relax and enjoy Paro.

Day 13: Departure from Paro

Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination