Bhutan, Ecoluxury with Como Hotels

Arrival in Delhi, border formalities, meeting with the guide, and transfer to the hotel.  The room is booked from the evening in case of late arrival.

Breakfast. Free morning to relax. Lunch on your own. Afternoon dedicated to visiting the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun (1565), the 13th-century archaeological area with the Qutb Minar, the Victory Tower symbol of Delhi, the Friday Mosque (1650) where 25,000 people can pray; from the outside, the Raj Ghat and India Gate. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

Breakfast. Private transfer to the airport and flight to Paro, Bhutan's only airport, at 2,200 meters above sea level.

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. The journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan's first gift when you disembark from the plane will be the fresh, clean mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage claim, you will be welcomed by our representative and then taken to your hotel. Lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower to supervise Paro Dzong, now home to the Kingdom's National Museum and boasting ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household items, and a rich assortment of natural and historical artifacts. Walk along the path to visit Rinpung Dzong, which means “Fortress of the Jewel Pile,” which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries that line the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong are beautiful murals illustrating Buddhist tradition. Evening visit to the Paro market and walk along the main street of the city. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Full board. Transfer to the airport and flight to Bumthang. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Lunch.

In the afternoon, visit to Ogyen Choling Palace and Museum, built in 1898 but dating back to the 14th century with the visit of the great Tibetan Buddhist master Longchen Rabjam (1308-63), one of the most famous writers and philosophers of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Ogyen Choling Palace is the most important site in the Tang Valley. Restored in the 19th century, the historically significant Ogyen Choling Palace now houses the Family Museum, a place that transports visitors to another world and time. Here you will find one of the largest collections of artifacts and exhibits in the country, including ancient Bhutanese art, textiles, weapons and armor, masks, musical instruments, tools, household items, and more. 

The journey continues to Membartsho (The Burning Lake). Located about 12.5 km by car from the heart of Bumthang town, Membartsho in the Tang Valley is a large area on the Tang Chhu (chhu - water/river) and is considered one of the largest pilgrimage sites in Bhutan. Pema Linga, the famous Buddhist saint, found many of Guru Rinpoche's hidden treasures here. The importance of this site is indicated by the wide range of prayer flags and small clay offerings called Tse Tsa in the rock niches. A five-minute walk from a parking lot on a bend in the road leads to a picturesque pool in a shady ravine of the Tang Chhu, known as Membartsho (Fiery Lake). The 27-year-old Pema Lingpa found many of Guru Rinpoche's terma here. It is an enchanting, if slightly eerie, place where nature, religion, and mythology merge into one. A wooden bridge crosses the gorge strewn with prayer flags and offers a good vantage point over the “lake.” Only the enlightened will spot the temple hidden in the depths of the ink. The sanctity of the site is made evident by the numerous small clay offerings called tsha-tsha piled up in various rock niches. Beneath a rock sanctuary with an engraving of Guru Rinpoche flanked by Sakyamuni and Pema Lingpa is a cave through which virtuous people can crawl, no matter how large they are.

Please note: it is quite small and very dusty. It is also recommended not to get too close to the edges of the ravine. Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution when visiting Membartsho (Fiery Lake).

Full board. The day begins with a visit to Jambey Lhakhang, the ancient temple built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659 AD as part of a chain of 108 temples built simultaneously to subdue an evil demon that lay upon the Himalayan region.

A short distance from Jambey Lhakhang is the site of the sacred Kurje Lhakhang, consisting of three temples surrounded by 108 chorten walls. The first and oldest of the three structures was built on the rock where Guru Rinpoche meditated. The second building is also called Sampa Lhundrup Temple and houses a colossal statue of Guru Rinpoche. The third building is known as Ka Gon Phur sum lhakhang, dedicated to the happiness of all living beings in the kingdom.

The tour continues with a visit to the picturesque Jakar Dzong, overlooking the Choekhor valley. According to legend, when the lamas gathered around 1549 to choose a site for a monastery, a large white bird suddenly rose into the air and landed on a hill spur. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as the site for the monastery and for Jakar Dzong, which translates as “white bird castle.” After lunch, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the temple founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padsambhava. The monastery has very ancient religious paintings such as 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (the female form of Buddha). The temple was restored at the end of the 19th century.

Full board. Departure for Punakha via the Yutong-La Pass at 3,400 meters. En route, stop at Trongsa to visit Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648, which was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat of power.

Next, visit Ta Dzong. Ta means “to watch” in Dzongkha, and this dzong was built in 1652 to guard the imposing Trongsa Dzong. After more than 350 years, Ta Dzong has been resurrected as a classy museum, representing a refined blend of tradition and modernity.

Before checking in at the hotel, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, a monastery perched on a ridge overlooking the Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys. The lhakhang comprises a two-story temple, a chorten reminiscent of Nepal's Boudhanath stupa, and a convent complex. Upon arrival in Punakha, check in at the hotel.

Full board. Visit Punakha Dzong (the “Palace of Great Happiness”), an imposing structure built at the confluence of two rivers. Built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (who founded the Kingdom of Bhutan), the fortress once housed the country's government. It is now the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of 1,000 monks.

Next, a short walk-through farms and rice paddies takes you to Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint, popularly known as the “Divine Madman.” This site has long been a place of pilgrimage for couples hoping to start a family. Depart for Paro with a short stop in Thimphu to visit the Traditional Arts School, commonly known as the “Painting Schools.” The institute offers a six-year course on 13 traditional arts and crafts where centuries-old traditions are still practiced. During a visit, you can see students learning the various skills taught at the school and interact with the students and their instructors.

We continue with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, a shrine built to commemorate Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the monarch who opened Bhutan's doors to the outside world. The late “third dragon king” remains highly revered in Bhutan, and both locals and pilgrims come here every day to pray and spin the red prayer wheels. We continue to Paro. Along the way, weather permitting, stop to visit Tachog Lhakhang, a 14th-century temple located at the base of a mountain across the Pa Chu River on the Paro-Thimphu highway. Built by the great master architect Thangtong Gyalpo, the temple houses some unique statues. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and overnight stay.

Full board. Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (about 5 hours round trip on foot). It is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tiger and meditated in this monastery, which is why it is called “Tiger's Nest.” This site was recognized as a sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. Nowadays, all Bhutanese visit it at least once in their lifetime.

Tiger's Nest Monastery is a highlight, and no one would think of leaving Bhutan without visiting the sacred temple, which is typically a very crowded monastery with numerous visitors (both locals and tourists). Along the way, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The construction of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight to Delhi. Arrival and hotel accommodation. Lunch at leisure.

Afternoon free for relaxation or individual activities. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and return flight. End of services.