Bangkok, Paro & Punakha — The Art of Arrival

Bangkok

Upon arrival to Bangkok, a representative will greet you after exiting the plane and escort you through special fast track services, avoiding the potentially long queues at the immigration counter. Please note: Guests using fast track services should wear appropriate attire and avoid wearing short pants, slippers or similarly casual attire to ensure a smooth process with Thai immigration authorities.. On your arrival into Bangkok airport, make your way to Gate 4 on Level 2 at Suvarnabhumi airport for your complimentary shuttle to the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approximately 10 minutes away).

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (B) (Pool View Room)

Bangkok, Paro, Thimphu

Please speak with the hotel concierge to arrange your complimentary shuttle back to the airport for your onward flight.. Board a flight from Bangkok with direct service to Paro, Bhutan. Approximate flight time is 4 hours.. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be required to present two passport photos to the immigration official for your Bhutan visa (included), which will be stamped into your passport. Once you pass through customs your guide and driver will be waiting for you.. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be met by your escort who will be holding a signboard with your name at the arrivals hall. Your escort will assist you with immigration and collecting your luggage. Afterwards, your escort will later take you to meet your guide who will be waiting for you.. You will be met on arrival at Paro airport by a local guide. Once you have completed all airport formalities, you will begin your drive toward Thimphu. This is a scenic journey and takes roughly 1.5 hours. On arrival in Bhutan's modern capital, you will check in at your hotel.. Visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, built in the 12th century, this is the oldest temple in Thimphu. It is hovering over a ridge above Thimphu, near Motithang. Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo who hailed from Tibet chose this site to build this Lhakhang. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig, an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara. The prayer books in this Lhakhang are larger than the usual Buddhist texts. You can purchase some of the world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from the general post office, and you will also see the Bhutan National Bank. Next head to a local arts and crafts school, to visit with some local children, and then carry on to the Traditional Medicine Institute where ancient healing arts are still practiced. Finally, visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, which is a local wildlife reserve. Later, if time permits, take a stroll through the main streets to see the interesting Himalayan artifacts and textiles that make Bhutan famous.. Enjoy your Dinner at Taj Tashi Hotel

Accommodation: Pemako Thimphu (B) (Deluxe), Bangkok

Thimphu

After breakfast begin your day of sightseeing with a visit to Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery. The only nunnery in the capital that is popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang. Located few minutes’ drive from the town. It was built in 1976 by the 16th emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo, Drubthob Rikey Jadrel. You may interact with some 60 nuns or so that has devoted their life to spirituality and Buddhism. Then embark on a drive 12 km north of Thimphu where you will participate in an hour long hike to Cheri Monastery. There will be enough time for individual contemplation, journaling, meditating, etc while visiting the monastery. Later, drive back to the hotel or to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub, and have a chance to purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory. Next, visit the Handicraft Bazaar, a new project initiated by the Government that promotes locally produced handicrafts. Buy stunning kiras which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration, jewelry and much more.  Finally, visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied Stupa will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism. Finish up back at your hotel.. Enjoy your Dinner at Taj Tashi Hotel

Accommodation: Pemako Thimphu (B) (Deluxe)

Thimphu, Gangtey

After an early breakfast in Thimphu, you will drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly to take in the view and admire the chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the northeast will be revealed in all of their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Continue your drive onwards toward Gangtey, reaching Wangduephodrang in time for lunch. From here, it is a long, winding descent into the Wangduephodrang valley, which is about 1,700m below the pass. Take lunch at Wangduephodrang town and continue on the highway, following the scenic Dang Chu before climbing thru forests of bamboo and oak. Cross the Pele La pass, visit Radak Shang Temple and finally arrive at the hidden Phobjikha Valley. Take an evening stroll through the quaint village of Gangtey.

Accommodation: Gangtey Lodge (BD) (Farmhouse Suite), Thimphu

Gangtey

The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valleys are tightly enclosed. Today explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley and visit Gangtey monastery. Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains, and is also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the Monastery. You will then visit the Black Neck Crane Center and depending on the season, you may be able to view the breeding cranes. Various walks can be arranged in this magnificent valley.

Accommodation: Gangtey Lodge (BD) (Farmhouse Suite)

Gangtey, Punakha

This morning, set off for Punakha after an early breakfast and en route visit Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.. On arrival in Punakha, check-in at your hotel. After lunch, hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang (temple) which is on a small hilltop. It is a pleasant 30 minute hike through rice paddies and a small village. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi from the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as the ‘Divine madman’ in the west. He preached in an unusual way for the time and dramatized the teachings using songs and outrageous sexual humor. Bold Phallus symbols and paintings on the houses or temples are as a result of his influence. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. A popular pilgrimage spot for the Bhutanese, it is frequented by childless couples and parents who have difficulty raising children from all over the world.

Accommodation: COMO Uma (BD) (Deluxe/Valley View), Gangtey

Punakha

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter the seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. Today, you will begin with a hike up through the fields of rice along the banks of the Mo Chu to the upper end of the valley to see the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999. Following the hike you will drive towards Khuruthang, passing Punthsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family before reaching the impressive Punakha Dzong. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. It is open for visitors during the Punakha festival (early spring) and in the summer months, after the monks body has returned to Thimphu. The Dzong is placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s head and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the Punak Chu. In the evening, take a relaxing stroll around town.

Accommodation: COMO Uma (BD) (Deluxe/Valley View), Punakha

Paro

Today you will embark on an excursion to view the spectacular and famous Taktsang monastery. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest with many trees festooned with Spanish moss and the occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. The hike will take you past a small cafeteria if a break is needed.  Built in 1600’s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It is believed that, in the 8th century Guru Rimpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress to subdue a demon. Guru Rimpoche is believed to have meditated here for three months and this place is considered as a ‘Mecca’ for Buddhists. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After the hike, you will visit Dungtse Lhakhang. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is in the form of a chorten, one of the very few that exists in Bhutan. The lhakhang was built in 1421 by the famous Tibetan lama, Thongten Gyelpo (1385-1465) who was also known as Changzampa or the builder of iron bridges. It is believed that a demoness was terrorizing the Paro valley and the very hill that the temple is built on turned out to be the demoness’s head. So he built a chorten shaped temple over the demoness’s head or the hills to overpower her, as chortens most of the time play the part of a nail that immobilizes a demon. This evening, once back to your hotel, you can take a leisurely guided walk of the town of Paro.. Enjoy a traditional Bhutanese traditional hot stone bath at Uma Paro.

Accommodation: COMO Uma Paro (BD) (Valley View Room)

Paro, Bangkok

Your guide will escort you to the airport for departure from Paro.. Meet your escort at the departure hall of Paro Airport where your escort will assist you with check in, immigration and customs while you wait at the airport lounge. Once complete, your escort will accompany you through the airport security procedure and onwards to the gate. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be met by an escort who will be holding a signboard with your name at the arrivals hall. Your escort will assist you with immigration and collecting your luggage. Afterwards, your escort will later take you to meet your guide who will be waiting for you.. Enjoy your flight from Paro to Bangkok. The flight duration is approximately four hours.. On your arrival into Bangkok airport, make your way to Gate 4 on Level 2 at Suvarnabhumi airport for your complimentary shuttle to the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approximately 10 minutes away).

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (B) (Pool View Room), Paro

Bangkok

Please speak with the hotel concierge to arrange your complimentary shuttle back to the airport for your onward flight.. After checking your luggage and passing through Security, make your way to the VIP Airport Lounge in Suvarnabhumi Airport. Here you’re invited to relax and unwind, enjoying a range of amenities including food, beverages, select alcoholic drinks, Wi fi access, newspapers and magazines, among other features.