The Sacred Takila Tour

DAY 1: PARO/THIMPHU

As you land at one of the scariest airports in the world, you will be greeted by a spectacular view of high mountain peaks and lush green paddy fields. Our guide and driver will receive you at the airport in the traditional Bhutanese way and transfer you to Thimphu.
En route, you will get to visit a monastery called Tachog Lhakhang which we believe was built more than 500 years ago by a famous Buddhist master who was known for building iron bridges in Bhutan.
If time permits, we will visit Thimphu town in the evening and have a stroll. This will give you a gist of the Bhutanese lifestyle. By the way, Thimphu is situated at 2300 meters above sea level.

Accommodations: Hotel Tara Phendeyling (or similar)

DAY 2: THIMPHU

Today, we will begin our day by hiking to Tango Monastery. This monastery is the only tertiary education center for all the Buddhist monks in the country. The monastery is particularly important for all the Bhutanese because it is the seat of the famous and revered HH Gyalsey Tulku. After offering our prayers, we will return to Thimphu and visit the majestic Tashichhodzong which houses the office of His Majesty the King and other high-ranking government officials. The dzong also shares its space with the abbot of the central monastic body, HH Je Khenpo.
Our next visit will be to Buddha Dodernma Statue. This statue is considered as the tallest statue of Buddha Dodernma in the world. Then we will visit National Memorial Hospital and Takin Park to see the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin which looks like sheep.

Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling (or similar).

DAY 3: THIMPHU -PUNAKHA

Today, we will begin our journey toward Punakha.
On the way, we will stop at Dochula pass to visit the 108 Victory Stupas—Druk Wangyel Chorten. The stupas were built to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese over the Indian militants in 2003.
Our next stop will be at Sobsokha. There, we will be visiting a temple called Chimi Lhakhang. The temple was built in the 17^th century by a Buddhist master who rather was known as the Divine Madman. The temple is famous among childless couples. It was believed and proven, that a couple without a child will be blessed if they ask and pray to the Divine Madman with utmost faith and belief. This is why it is called the temple of fertility.
This afternoon, after having lunch in your hotel, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong which was once the capital fortress of Bhutan. The dzong is scary as well as spectacular as it stands tall right at the confluence of two rivers. From there, we will walk for a few minutes to have an unusual walk along the longest suspension bridge. If time permits, we will visit the house of Golem. Galem is the Bhutanese version of Juliet (from Romeo and Juliet) and her love story is as legendary as Romeo and Juliet or Layla and Majnu in other parts of the world.

Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort (or similar)

DAY 4: PUNAKHA – BUMTHANG 

Today, we have a long journey ahead. We will have an early breakfast and depart for Bumthang.
En route, we will stop at the reconstruction site of Wangduepodrang dzong for a while. At Trongsa, we will break for lunch. Then, we shall resume our journey.
Our highest driving point will be a mountain pass- Pelela at 3140 meters and Yotongla pass (3100M). From Yotongla, we gradually take a descent to the floor of Bumthang valley which is often filled with dense fog.

Accommodation: Hotel Bumthang 

DAY 5:BUMTHANG  

Bumthang is known for two things. One is its landscape—many people call it the Switzerland of Bhutan. Two, it is the holiest district known for having many holy sites and temples.
Thus, our day will be by visiting Tamzhing Monastery. We will offer our prayers there and then begin walking to the sacred Kurjey Lhakhang. The trail is not too long and it meanders through the forest which is in an abundance of rhododendrons, blue alpine, and juniper trees.
Kurjey Lhakhang is the holiest site for pilgrims. It is here at Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon and constructed a small temple. After seeking blessings, we will continue walking toward Jambay Lhakhang. This temple is one of the oldest temples in the Buddhist community. It was built in the 7^th century, even before Buddhism came to Bhutan.
In the evening, we will ramble through the small Chamkhar town.

Overnight stay at Bumthang.

DAY 6: BUMTHANG – TANGMACHU

We will have an early breakfast and leave for Lhunetse. First, we will be climbing up the Thrumshingla pass, winding through the alpine forest. From there, it will be a long gradual descent to Lingmithang.
We will stop there and visit the ruins of Druk Zhongkhar Dzong. There abound stories about the king and how misfortune struck him and his family after he had cut off the hands of the architect or the head carpenter who built the dzong. He feared that the architect would replicate his dzong elsewhere in the future.
Lhuentse is almost four hours from there.

Overnight stay in Takila 

DAY 7: LHUNTSE 

Today, we will leave for Takila early in the morning. We will be visiting the famous and sacred statue of Guru Nangsa Zelnen. This is the most happening pilgrimage site in eastern Bhutan. The construction of this massive structure, about 155 feet tall, began in 2008 and was completed in 2015.  The popular festival of the Kurtoe region called “Chha” also takes place here. The statue is nestled on a hill overlooking the valley that originates from the feet of Lhuentse Dzong.
If time permits, we will visit other tourist sites before traveling back to our hotel.

Overnight stay in Lhuentse

DAY 8: LHUNTSE- MONGAR 

We will be departing for Mongar today.
Mongar is not the biggest dzongkhag in the country but it has the highest number of gewogs (sub-districts) in the country with 17. Today, it is one of the fastest-developing districts in eastern Bhutan. Mongar is known for producing lemon grass, a plant that can be used to produce essential oil.
After lunch, we will be visiting the majestic Mongar Dzong.
In the evening, go for a walk along the street of Mongar town.

Overnight stay at Wangchuk Hotel

DAY 9: MONGAR- TRONGSA  

Because we have a very long journey ahead, we will leave for Trongsa very early. We will be traveling through the same route, via Bumthang.
In the evening, you may have an orientation walk in Trongsa town.

Overnight stay in Trongsa

DAY 10: TRONGSA- PHOBJIKHA 

Today, we will rise early and visit the biggest fortress in Bhutan, the Trongsa Dzong. In the olden days, this dzong served as the capital of eastern Bhutan, and during the time of civil wars, Trongsa was considered as the powerhouse of the eastern bloc. The father of the first king rose to his fame in this dzong. Even the first king served as the chieftain in this dzong before becoming the first hereditary king of this dragon kingdom.
After visiting the dzong, we will head towards the Ta Dzong which today is a museum.
Then only, we will begin our journey towards Phobjikha.
As soon as we reach Phobjkha, we will visit the scared Gangtey Monastery to offer our prayers. Then we shall have a short walk along the Nature Trail.

Overnight stay at home-stay

DAY 11: PHOBJIKHA – PARO 

In the morning, visit the Black-necked crane center at Phobjikha
Then we will depart for Paro. On the way, we will stop at Semtokha and visit the oldest fortress in the country.
In the evening, we will visit Paro town to buy gifts and souvenirs for your families and friends back home.

DAY 12: DEPARTURE

Today, you will have to depart for your respective country from Paro International Airport. We hope you had a good trip and that you will come back.

• Bhutan Royalties, tourist fees, Visa fees, and taxes.
• Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
• All meals, including evening tea/coffee, etc throughout the trip.
• All land transfers, and sightseeing with entrance fees.
• Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp services.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights in and out of Bhutan.
• Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry