Bhutan - Private tour with homestay

After breakfast, continue to the Buddha Dordenma. This gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue is filled with over 100,000 smaller Buddha statues, all of which are made of bronze and gilded with gold, just like the Buddha Dordenma itself. At a height of 51.5 metres (169 feet), it is one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy from the 8th century AD, which was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa, the religious treasure finder of the time. It is said to bring peace and happiness to the whole world.
From here, you hike along a path that leads you through a beautiful forest to Changangkha Lhakhang. The hike offers great views of the Thimphu valley. This path is often used by His Majesty the Fourth King as a mountain bike trail.
After lunch, drive to Motithang Takin Preserve, a protected area where Bhutan's national animal, the takin, is conserved. A half-hour walk here will reveal to you many exotic birds and animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. The wildlife here is filled with overwhelming tranquillity and should be seen once.
You will then visit the Jungshina paper factory. The Jungshi paper factory is located high on a hill overlooking the Thimphu Valley, about one kilometre from the town of Thimphu. The factory produces high quality handmade paper from the bark of the Daphne and Dhekap trees. Different styles with beautiful textures and prints are produced using pressed flowers and leaves. The process requires very little chemicals, in fact the word "Jungshi" means natural. Their shop sells beautiful products made from paper, and you can even make your own and take home a unique souvenir. This type of paper, called Deh-sho, was originally used in monasteries for manuscripts and prayer books.
End the day's tour with a visit to the Kaja Throm (farmers' market), where you will find vendors and farmers from the surrounding regions selling their agricultural produce.
Overnight stay at Hotel Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha (2-hour drive) over the Dochu La Pass (3,080 m). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags. On a clear day, the Dochu La Pass offers the most spectacular view of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Visit Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, the temple built in honour of the Wangchuk dynasty and the 60th birthday of the fourth king of Bhutan.
Before reaching Punakha, stop en route and hike to Chimi Lhakhang. Situated on a hill in the centre of the valley, Chimi Lhakhang is a temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Also known as the 'Divine Madman', he used humour, chanting and dramatic re-enactments to spread his teachings in the 15th century. Chimi Lhakhang is widely known as a temple of fertility; locals come here to receive the lama's blessings. They pray and ask for the blessing of being blessed with a child. Locals also bring their newborn babies here to be blessed. The Lhakhang is about a 30-minute walk through fields from the main road.
You will then be driven to your hotel to check in and have lunch.
Later in the afternoon, drive to visit the Punakha Dzong. Built in 1637, this was the second dzong to be built in Bhutan and served as the seat of government for many years. Widely recognised as the most beautiful dzong in the country, the high white walls contrast beautifully with the surrounding shades of green and blue. It is the winter residence of the central body of monks and houses a very important relic over which many wars were fought with the Tibetans. All kings of Bhutan are crowned here before they can ascend to their throne in Thimphu. The splendour of the dzong is particularly impressive in spring, when the purple jacaranda trees are in full bloom.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Punakha.

1 overnight stay at the Dhensa Boutique Resort, Suite Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Gangtey. The Gangtey Valley is a U-shaped glacial valley. It serves as a winter home for a group of globally endangered black-necked cranes that migrate here every winter from the Tibetan Plateau. This valley of beauty lies on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and borders the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Some people refer to the entire region as Gangtey, which is known for its marvellous nature trails. Gangtey also has its own monastery perched at the head of the valley.
On arrival in Gangtey, check into the hotel. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Gangtey Valley and relax over lunch.
After lunch, visit Gangtey Goemba (monastery), which is located on a forested hill overlooking the green expanse of the entire Phobjikha Valley. In 1613, the grandson and reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, Pema Thinley, founded the Nyingma temple here, which has evolved into today's Gangtey Goemba. It serves as the seat of the ninth reincarnation of the body of Tertön (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa.
You will then hike along the Gangtey nature trail; the hike is a beautiful nature walk along the resting place of the black-necked cranes with a view of the lower Phobjikha valley. It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The hike begins at the Mani stone wall stupa north of Gangtey Gompa and ends at Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour through the pine forest and small bamboo bushes. You can spot some of the early arriving cranes on their resting places from this walk.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Gangtey.

2 nights at the Dewachen Hotel, Standard Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

After breakfast, you will go on the Longteng hike. The morning begins with a 30-minute drive from Gangtey to the starting point of your hike near Longteng village on the east-west motorway. Begin by following the path to the right of the road downhill. The path leads through bamboo bushes to a small cluster of village houses. There are vibrant rhododendron forests on both sides of the path, and yaks graze in the area during the winter months. The last part of the trail through the forest is steeper until you reach the pass at 3,586 metres (11,766 feet), with impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, the Shedra and the valley below. After the pass, the trail continues downhill towards the idyllic village of Kumbu. It is possible to be picked up from here, or you can continue to the Shedra. The entire hike takes about four hours and you will be back at the hotel in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre. Located on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of the Phobjikha Valley, the centre has an observation room equipped with a powerful telescope and binoculars to provide the best views of the cranes. The centre also displays information outlining the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop that sells handicrafts made by the locals.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Gangtey.

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang via the Yotongla Pass between Trongsa and Bumthang. In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags. There will be some picturesque photo stops along the way.
In Trongsa, visit the Trongsa Dzong and continue to Bumthang.
On the way, you will stop to visit the yathra weaving centre. The Yathra Weaving Centre in Chumey is the main selling point for the over 240 households of the 13 villages in Bumthang who depend on the sale of traditional yathra for their livelihood. A craft passed down from mother to daughter, the weavers use yak and sheep wool to create a thick fabric that is ideal for the cold weather in Bumthang. Traditionally, every house in the Chumey Valley has its own loom and the girls learn to weave at a young age.
On arrival in Bumthang, check in and have a rest.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Bumthang.

3 nights in the Mountain Lodge, Deluxe Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang for a full-day excursion:
Jambay Lhakhang: Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery that dates back to the introduction of Buddhism in the country. Jambay Lhakhang is considered one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan and is also the site of a number of festivals. It is located between Khurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong and is a 10-minute drive from the town of Jakar. Built in the 7th century by King Songsten Gampo, it is one of the 108 he built and contains relics and statues of deities.
Kurje Lhakhang: Walk to Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bumthang. Khurje Lhakhang is a temple complex consisting of three beautiful temples. The oldest temple contains the rock that bears the imprint of Guru Rinpoche's body and is therefore considered the holiest. Another temple was built on the spot where Guru Rinpoche had meditated. The Queen Mother Ashi Kesang built the third. A 108 chorten wall also surrounds the three temples.
Tamshing Lhakhang: Cross the suspension bridge through the village of Tamshing and visit Tamshing Lhakhang. For art and painting enthusiasts, this place is a must visit. With a number of ancient paintings such as that of 1000 Buddha and 21 Taras, the monastery was built in 1501 by the famous saint Pema Lingpa. It is a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings.
The Jakar Dzong or "the dzong of the white bird" is perched on a hill overlooking the town of Chamkhar and the surrounding villages. The interesting thing about the dzong is that there is a water tower behind the dzong, which leads down four flights of stairs to a water reservoir that was used in ancient times to fetch water during battles. The three-day festival features several sacred mask dances. The festival also features various types of folk songs and dances. People attend the festival in their finest attire and the festival is also popular with tourists.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Bumthang.

After breakfast, drive to the Tang Valley and explore the Ogyencholing Museum. The site was occupied in the middle of the 14th century by the Nyingmapa master Longchen Rabjam, who established a small retreat there. At the end of the 14th century, Saint Dorje Lingpa followed his example and settled there. The structure was badly damaged in the earthquake of 1897 and Tshokye Dorje's grandson, the Jakar Dzongpon Ugyen Dorje, had to rebuild a large part of it at the beginning of the 20th century. The central tower Utse serves as a museum for the history and life of Ogyen Choling. The entire visit gives the intimate feeling of immersing oneself in a bygone way of life and touching the social, religious and economic facets of a mansion.
After lunch, you will visit Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake). In early 1475, the saint discovered sacred relics here that had been hidden by Guru Rinpoche and thus received his holy mission to spread the religion. To reassure sceptical minds, he dived into the river with a lighted lamp and declared: "If I am a demon, I will die! If not, and I am the true spiritual son of Guru Rinpoche, this lamp will continue to burn and I will recover hidden treasures!" This happened and the place was named Burning Lake. Devout Bhutanese always leave a small lamp floating on the water and make a wish. It is still believed today that people with fewer sins and spiritual minds are able to recognise an extraordinary sight in the lake when they look down from a rock above it. At the entrance to the lake, the image of Pema Lingpa together with his two sons is carved into a rock.
Then drive back to Bumthang.
You can end the day with a walk through the town of Bumthang.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Bumthang.

This morning drive to Punakha.
In the afternoon, if time permits, optional visit to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (nunnery). Situated on a ridge among pine trees and overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (temple) shine. The temple houses a 14 feet high bronze main statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzigchagtongchentong). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the largest in the country, was made entirely by local Bhutanese craftsmen. Here you will interact with the nuns who live in the Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Lhakhang Nunnery.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Punakha.

1 overnight stay at the Dhensa Boutique Resort, Suite Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

OPTIONAL: After breakfast, take a beautiful hike (about 2 hours round trip in total) to the majestic Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan to eliminate negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with impressive views across the Mo Chhu River and up to the mountain peaks of Gasa and beyond. It also boasts one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan.
Then you start your return journey to Paro.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour, household items and a rich selection of natural and historical artefacts.
You will then visit Rinpung Dzong, which means "Fortress of the Jewelled Heap" and has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries that line the courtyard are fine murals depicting Buddhist lore such as the Four Friends, the Old Man of Long Life, the Wheel of Life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and another cosmic mandala.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.

3 nights in the Naksel Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

After breakfast, excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5-hour hike) (3150 metres): It is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, located 900 metres above the valley floor of Paro on the side of a cliff. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated in this monastery, hence it is called the "Tiger's Nest". This place was recognised as the holiest place and was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of the building, but this Bhutanese jewel has since been restored to its original splendour.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, excursion to the Chele La Pass. The 2-hour drive from Paro to the Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. The pass connects Paro with the lesser-known valley of Bhutan, the Haa Valley.
Later return journey to Paro.
After lunch, you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the Himalayas. The construction of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Afterwards, visit the Ugyen Farm House, where you can either take a hot stone bath or try your hand at archery.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for the flight to your next destination. Your tour guide will explain the departure formalities to you and then bid you farewell.