Lhalam Tours & Travels

Thimphu-Punakha-Haa-Paro

The tour includes a visit to the Bhutanese capital – Thimphu, the old capital – Punakha, a day at the green valley of Haa, and finally, Paro – home of the international airport. The tour extends to the Haa valley which, until 2002, was closed to the outside world. Less than 10% of visitors to Bhutan make it to this picturesque valley. The strong-boned and resilient people of Haa inhabit the high valleys above 3000m. 

Detailed Itinerary

When you arrive at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your tour guide just outside the arrival hall. At 7,333 ft. above sea level, you will likely notice the effect of the high altitude, so we will give you time to acclimatise as we take a short drive to Thimphu and check into your hotel. In Thimphu, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Thimphu Dzong, the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan, the Motithang Takin Reserve, home to the national animal of Bhutan. Thereafter, you will visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue which is the largest sitting statue of Buddha in the world. You can also enjoy the night walking around Thimphu Town after dinner.

You will travel to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan until 1955 and drive through Dochula Pass, a popular tourist spot that provides stunning views of the Himalayas. There are 108 chortens, that were built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India. In Punakha, you will visit the Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. You will also visit the Pho Chhu suspension bridge, which is 160 metres long and gives breath-taking views of the Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu valley.

 

Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Choten–  This temple was built by the Queen Mother of the King, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, to bring universal peace in the world. The best of the spiritual art works ae painted on the inner walls.

Chimmi Lhakhang: A 20 minutes’ walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ’divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.

Drive to Haa through Chele La (3,988 m). From the pass, you can see Paro valley on one side and then Haa valley on the other. You can also have a picnic at Chele La if you like to. In Haa, some sightseeing and then going to katsho village and visiting the Katso Lhakhang. The valley of Haa was only opened to Tourist in 2002 and Haa is the least visited valley in Bhutan due to the lack of Tourist infrastructure. This has helped in keeping Haa the way it has always been, with Bhutanese families living their traditional and simple life. There are no tourist standard hotels in Haa valley, so we return to Paro for the night.

Paro Valley – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro. Paro Dzong – Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Taktsang Monastery– A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Payer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.

Kyichu Lhakhang– After lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan.

Paro Valley – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro. Paro Dzong – Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

PACKAGE COST

On top of the SDF of USD 100 per person per night, there will be additional cost to cover hotel rooms, meals, entrance fees, guide and private tour vehicle. Send us a booking enquiry and we will customise a package for you, as per your budget and interests.