Bumthang Cultural Discovery Expeditions

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Trogon Travels tour representative in the traditional Bhutanese way, complete with a white khadar (scarf) — symbolizing peace and good fortune. After transferring to your hotel and settling in, enjoy a welcome lunch featuring a selection of authentic Bhutanese cuisine.

In the afternoon, begin your cultural journey with a visit to the National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong), housed in a historic watchtower above Paro Dzong. The museum offers an excellent overview of Bhutan’s rich history, art, and traditions. Then, descend to explore the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese fortress architecture and a key religious and administrative center. Walk along its wooden bridge and take in views of the Paro River before returning to your hotel for dinner and rest.

This morning, take a 25-minute scenic mountain flight to Bumthang, offering stunning aerial views of the Himalayas and Bhutan’s dramatic valleys. Upon arrival at Bumthang Airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to the serene Tang Valley, one of Bhutan’s most culturally rich and remote regions.

En route, stop to visit the legendary Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), a sacred site where the great saint Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered hidden treasures from the depths of the river. The site is revered by locals and holds great spiritual significance.

Continue to Ta Rimochen Temple, nestled beneath a cliff where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated. Surrounded by quiet forests and scattered rock inscriptions, this sacred site offers a glimpse into Bhutan's mystical heritage.

Later in the afternoon, check into a beautifully restored traditional heritage home in Tang Valley, where you will spend the next two nights. Enjoy the charm of rustic Bhutanese hospitality, complete with local cuisine and a warm, homely atmosphere.

After a hearty breakfast at your heritage home, drive further into the tranquil north of Tang Valley, where you’ll embark on a spiritually enriching hike to Thowadrak Monastery. Your car will drop you at the nearest road point, and from there you'll begin a 50-minute uphill trek to a sacred cliffsite historically blessed by Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have left a wooden garuda here — symbolizing divine protection.

Thowadrak, one of the famed "four sacred cliffs" of Guru Rinpoche in Bumthang, was founded in 1238 and draws pilgrims and nature lovers alike with its dramatic setting and spiritual weight. At the monastery, enjoy lunch while absorbing the mystical ambiance and mountain views — a moment of serene respite.

In the afternoon, return to your heritage home and head to the Ogyen Choling Museum, situated within a beautifully preserved ancestral manor in Tang Valley. This historic home, once occupied by revered Buddhist masters such as Longchen Rabjam and Dorji Lingpa, now houses a richly curated museum displaying artifacts that illuminate the lives of Bhutanese aristocracy — including traditional living spaces, granaries, kitchens, religious costumes, implements, and more

After breakfast, you’ll travel along the old highland road, climbing toward the lofty Shethangla Pass at around 3,600 m. If the weather is clear, the breathtaking silhouette of Mount Gangkar Puensum will greet you. From the pass, you begin a gentle descent into the Ura Valley, a high plateau nestled at about 3,100 m. Ura greets you with medieval charm—a cluster of traditional homes, stone-paved lanes, and the peaceful rhythm of rural life. At its center stands the modest yet striking Ura Lhakhang, with its towering statue of Guru Rinpoche and rich wall paintings. A walk through the village reveals a tapestry of Bhutanese life: communal courtyards, yak herders, fields of buckwheat, and warm villagers inviting you in for butter tea.

Begin your day with a scenic drive into the heart of Jakar Valley, where centuries of spirituality and tradition await. Your first stop is Jampa (Jambay) Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century—one of only two such structures still standing in Bhutan—dedicated to Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, and reputedly visited by Guru Rinpoche himself.

From there, enjoy a short, gentle hike across beautiful grassy plains, leading you to the sacred Kujey Lhakhang. This revered complex is the site where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left a body imprint on a rock, now enshrined within a temple built in the 17th century.

Continue on by foot along an ancestral trail through peaceful countryside, arriving at a welcoming local farmhouse for lunch—where you may even lend a hand preparing traditional dishes and savor dishes made from buckwheat and regional ingredients.

After lunch, cross a quaint bridge and carry on to Tamshing Monastery, founded in 1501 by the spiritual master Pema Lingpa. Nestled across the valley, this monastery is famed for its ancient murals, unique masked dances, and its timeless spiritual ambiance.

In the late afternoon, visit the region’s famed Cheese Factory and Red Panda Brewery, housed together near Jakar. Here you can sample freshly made Swiss-style cheese and locally brewed Red Panda wheat beer—perhaps even taking a brief tour to watch the artisanal process, where both cheese and unfiltered Weiss beer are produced using traditional methods 

As evening descends, transfer to your hotel in Jakar for dinner and overnight—reflecting on a day rich in heritage and local flavor.

After breakfast, drive toward Chumey Valley and visit Tharpaling Monastery, perched at 3,600 m with sweeping views of the valley if the skies are clear. The monastery, founded by Longchen Rabjam in the 14th century, houses exquisite shrines, frescoes, and the aligned Eight Chortens below. Have a hot packed lunch in the serene valley.

Later, journey to Trongsa and ascend to the restored Ta Dzong, now the Royal Heritage Museum, showcasing royal regalia such as the Raven Crown, sacred objects, and temple galleries honoring Bhutanese spiritual leaders. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of the massive Trongsa Dzong, the Mangde Chhu Valley, and the town beyond, providing both historical context and visual splendor. 

Begin your day with a scenic drive from Trongsa across high mountain passes — such as Lawa La or Pele La — through curved roads and misty peaks. As you descend, the verdant Phobjikha Valley unfolds like a hidden gem, its peaceful wetlands encircled by rugged hills.

Upon arrival at the valley’s heart, visit the Gangtey Monastery, where the landscape’s silent beauty spreads out below, offering a moment of contemplative awe. A short walk or guided stop at the nearby Black-Necked Crane Information Centre invites reflection on the valley’s ecological significance — especially if you catch a glimpse of the elegant cranes that winter here.

For those inclined toward gentle exploration, the Gangtey Nature Trail offers a walking passage through fragrant pines and silver streams, bathed in alpine tranquility. And if your timing is right, the valley's own Crane Festival will treat you to cultural pageantry, weaving together tradition, conservation, and community.

Start your day in tranquil Phobjikha Valley, bidding farewell to its glacial wetlands, rolling hills, and serene ambiance. As you depart, your vehicle will trace the winding road through dense forests, past rugged ridgelines, and over the dramatic Lawa La Pass—poised at 3,250 m—where views of alpine expanses await if skies are clear.

Begin your descent into the lush Punakha Valley, arriving after approximately 2 hours of travel. Your first stop is the architectural marvel of Punakha Dzong, famously known as Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang, or “The Palace of Great Bliss.” Built in 1637–38 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it stands as Bhutan’s second-oldest and second-largest dzong, and continues to house revered religious relics of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage—such as the Rangjung Kharsapani and the remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Venture through the Dzong’s layered courtyards, marvel at its embellished woodwork, and sense the living history of Bhutan’s monastic and political life etched into its walls. Set against the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the setting itself is nothing short of poetic.

begin the morning with a scenic hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning hilltop shrine that offers panoramic views of the Punakha Valley. After the hike, return to town and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive to Thimphu via the picturesque Dochula Pass, where you can stop briefly to admire the 108 chortens and, if the weather is clear, catch breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas. Upon arrival in Thimphu, check in to your hotel and relax. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll around the town to explore local shops, cafés, and the unique charm of Bhutan’s capital.

After breakfast, begin your day with a cultural exploration of Thimphu. Your first stop is the Memorial Chorten, a prominent landmark dedicated to world peace and the memory of Bhutan’s third king. It’s a vibrant place where locals gather to spin prayer wheels and offer their respects. Next, visit the Buddha Dordenma, an enormous gilded statue overlooking the valley, offering panoramic views and a serene atmosphere. Continue on to the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal—the takin—an odd yet fascinating creature found only in this region. Afterwards, stop by a traditional paper-making factory where you’ll see how Bhutanese handmade paper is crafted from natural materials using age-old techniques.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town, where you can sample Bhutanese delicacies. After lunch, explore the vibrant Weekend Market or Kaja Throm, where locals sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and textiles. It’s a perfect place to interact with Bhutanese vendors and pick up souvenirs. In the late afternoon or early evening, you’ll drive to Paro, a scenic journey that winds through mountain roads and offers beautiful landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and unwind for the evening.

After an early breakfast, set out on a memorable hike to Taktsang Monastery, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest, perched dramatically on a cliffside 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The hike takes approximately 4 to 5 hours round trip, depending on your pace, and offers stunning views, peaceful forest trails, and occasional sightings of prayer flags fluttering in the mountain breeze. Along the way, stop at the cafeteria viewpoint for a short rest and tea while enjoying a spectacular view of the monastery. Upon reaching the top, explore the sacred site, which is one of Bhutan’s most revered pilgrimage destinations and steeped in legends of Guru Rinpoche.

After descending, return to Paro and enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon can be spent at leisure—either resting at the hotel or exploring more of Paro town. In the evening, consider a traditional hot stone bath to relax your muscles after the hike, followed by a farewell dinner to reflect on your journey through Bhutan.

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your departure. Your guide and driver will see you off, offering final farewells as you leave the Land of the Thunder Dragon with cherished memories and unforgettable experiences. As your journey comes to an end, take a moment to reflect on the serene landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality that made your time in Bhutan truly special. We wish you a safe flight and hope to welcome you back again in the future. Tashi Delek and goodbye!