Pilgrimage Tour

During the flight into Bhutan, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your Cypress Himalaya Tours representative. After completion of arrival formalities, including the processing of your visa (please bring your copy) we will drive to Thimphu. After lunch explore Thimphu city.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

We will drive to Kuensel Phodrang and see the second-largest seated Buddha; locals call it “Buddha Point”. Then, we will take a trip to The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Traditional Arts School of Bhutan) where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts & craft of Bhutan. We’ll visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced. Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in the memory of our third king, a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism. In the evening we will have a leisure time in the city.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

Today, we will drive to the North of Thimphu valley which will take us to the end of the road to the entrance to Jigme Dorji National Park, one of Bhutan’s revered wildlife sanctuaries and from there we will hike approximately an hour up to the Cheri Goemba (Meditation Centre), the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. We will visit Pangri Zampa Temple, which is now the seat of the monastic school of astrology. We can get an astrology reading at the School.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

On the way to Punakha is the Dochu la pass (10,004ft) from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen, especially on clear winter days. The beauty of this place will capture your heart by the sight of The Druk Wangyel Chorten, a 108 stupas built for the well being of all sentient beings by the eldest queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Punakha has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River) rivers. We’ll visit the Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the unifier of Bhutan) in 1637. It stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers, Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River).

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

This day we will hike to Chimmi Lhakhang, most popularly known as the temple of fertility. The temple was built in the 15th century as a dedication to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the divine mad man and considered one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. The hike to this temple will take us through a village surrounded by beautiful rice fields and it will take us only 50 minutes (round trip). We’ll visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, consecrated on 14th October 2010. The nunnery comprises a double storied temple, a chorten resembling Nepal’s Boudhanath Stupa and a nunnery complex. Evening explore Punakha town.

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

Today, we will drive to Trongsa and it is about 6 hours drive approximately from Punakha. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. For about 3 hour drive from Punakha valley is the Pele la pass (3,300 m/10,989ft.) and from there during the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314m/24,355ft.). From here we will decent about 3 hour drive to Trongsa valley. Upon arrival, we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647; this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan.

Overnight- Trongsa (7150ft)

Today, before driving towards Bumthang we will visit the Trongsa Tower Museum built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong. We’ll than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass (3,424m/11,234ft.) and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey where we will make a stop to observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. From the Chhume valley it will take 40 minutes drive to Chhoekor valley where we are going to halt our night. In the evening we will explore Bumthang town.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Today, we’ll spend the day visiting the Jampa Lhakhang (temple), one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to 7th century. We’ll visit Kurjey Lhakhang (the body imprint temple). It is believed that the body imprint was left on the rock where the Guru Rinpoche (precious master) had meditated. We will hike (approx 30 min) to Tamshing Lhakhang, the temple that was built by the treasure discoverer in the 16th century. Visit Mebartso, “Burning Lake” where Terton Pemalingpa, a treasure revealer is believed to have taken out a hidden treasure from the lake. These treasures were believed to have been hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century to be revealed by special persons at a propitious time.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Today, we will hike to one of the four holy cliffs which every Buddhist should visit during the course of their lifetime. The hike up to the temple is easy and the view from the top is beautiful beyond words. The drive to the starting point for the Shugdrak hike takes us along the river down Choekhor Valley. Initially, we will ascend through flower meadows before catching a small trail which leads towards a handful of farmhouses. It continues past an old water mill and then straight up to Shugdrak, beautifully situated on a cliff overlooking the surrounding valleys. The temple is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche and it is said to have been blessed by the Saint in the 8th century. The temple is built on a rock face and resembles the Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in Paro. We’ll visit a farm house and later enjoy the authentic Bhutanese Dinner.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

This morning, after the breakfast we will drive towards Tharpaling Monastery situated above Chummey valley at 3600m/11,811ft. Tharpaling, which means Land of Liberation, is the sacred site and retreat cave of the great master Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363). Longchenpa established the monastery at the base of Chodrak Cliff, one of four cliffs which had been blessed by Guru Rinpoche.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

This morning after our breakfast, we will fly back to Paro from Bumthang Valley. Upon arrival, we’ll visit one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 AD by King Songtsen Goenpo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. Visit Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House (Kyichu Museum) which was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s primary residence in Bhutan and it was inaugurated as a museum and opened to the public in 2010 to celebrate his centennial. It has been preserved almost exactly as it was when he lived here. Visit the Rimpung Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzongs are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts. Later in the evening we will explore Paro town.

Overnight Paro (7478ft)

After an early breakfast, we will hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The trip is an uphill walk of about three hours and an hour and half hike to the café where there is also clear vantage view where you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. The legend of Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest/Lair) evolves form Tantric mythology when, in 747 AD, Guru Rimpochhe (Padma Sambhava) chose a cave on this sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming his wrathful form, Guru Dorji Droloe, he subdued the local deity, converting into spiritual protector of Taktshang. Some people living in the valley saw the tigress lying by the cave and thought to be tiger’s lair. Thus, the name tak (tiger) tshang (lair) came into existence and became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist world. For Bhutanese; we have to visit this monastery once in a life time.

Overnight-Paro (7478ft)