FOUR NIGHTS COMO UMA PARO | TWO NIGHTS COMO UMA PUNAKHA Our six-night trip to Bhutan is the ultimate in luxury adventure travel, immersing you in the country’s Buddhist culture. The exploration comprises four days of guided walks around the Paro Valley region, including visits to Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery and the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakhang. You will also pass two days at COMO Uma Punakha in the Punakha Valley, with a chance to visit the magnificent 300-year-old Dzong. The itinerary includes time to enjoy the bustle of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, and road journeys taking in the exceptional Himalayan vistas. Returning to your comfortable COMO base in the mountains each evening, there will be plenty of time to relax. At COMO Uma Paro, you can enjoy the swimming pool, steam room and daily yoga classes, as well as a 60-minute COMO Shambhala body treatment.
Day 01: Paro
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our guide who will assist with the 10-minute transfer to the property. After checking in and spending some time settling into your new surroundings, we will take you on your first foray into the Himalayan Kingdom, with sightseeing in Paro town and a temple visit. This afternoon trip allows you to acclimatise to the rarefied air at this altitude and to get to know your guide.
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Paro
Day 02: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha
The capital Thimphu, sprawled across the wooded western hillside of the Wang Chhu river, is Bhutan’s centre of government, religion and commerce. During the journey from COMO Uma Paro to COMO Uma Punakha, you can stop off in the nation’s largest city, with an immersive tour taking in some of the major attractions, including the Buddha Dordenma statue, the National Memorial Chorten, a view of Tashichhoe Dzong and the Folk Heritage Museum (exact tour itinerary varies). After leaving Thimphu, the drive to Punakha is spectacular, winding snake-like up the 3,000m-high mountain pass of Dochu La, offering views of 108 ‘chortens’ (Buddhist shrines), forests of cluttering prayer flags and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the Himalayan range.
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Punakha.
Day 03: Tour of Punakha
This is a full day of exploration through the lush Punakha Valley, which at 1,200m is low enough for bananas and oranges to grow. The morning starts with a short walk across farmhouses and rice paddies to Chimmi Lhakhang, a 15th-century fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint, better known as the ‘Divine Madman’. This site has long been a pilgrimage for couples hoping to start a family. Heading further down the valley, the 300-year-old Punakha Dzong comes into view. 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 home of Je Khenpo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of 1,000 monks. After lunch, the tour takes you on a walk through homesteads and farmland to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a shrine recently built by the royal family.
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha – Thimphu – Paro
Punakha Valley to Paro, Chuzom and Tamchog Lhakhang Retrace your steps back over the Dochu La Pass for another chance to view the Himalayan mountain range. Returning to the Chuzom (the confluence of the rivers Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu), you can glimpse three nearby shrines, built to ward off evil spirits – each with a different style of architecture: Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese. Time-permitting, there will be a visit to Tamchog Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, a pioneering engineer who introduced the construction of suspension bridges into Bhutan and Tibet (several of which are still in use today). The final part of the drive to COMO Uma Paro is through apple orchards and rice paddies. You can see out the day here trying something from our activities menu such as archery, Bhutan’s national sport.
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Paro
Day 05: Tour of Paro
Wind through pine forests high above COMO Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress -like monastery of Zurig Dzong. Traverse across to Ta Dzong, home to Bhutan’s National Museum, with magnificent views over Paro, then on down to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels). The trail then leads across the Paro Chhu river via the traditional covered bridge Nyamai Zam, past the main archery ground, Ugyen Pelri Palace, and into Paro town. Driving a few kilometres north of Paro, we pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magical orange tree that bears fruit all year round. Time permitting, we drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1648 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the northern route to Tibet. Duration: 5 to 7 hours (subject to time spent in National Museum and Paro).
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Paro
Day 06: Hike to Paro Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
The historical Paro Valley is the focus of today’s activities, culminating in a visit to the Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most important pieces of architecture. According to legend, this cliffside is where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. The trip starts early in order to avoid the hot sun during the two-hour climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. We have a steep hike past a waterfall and ending among beautiful murals at the monastery’s main entrance. If time allows, there is the possibility of heading further up to visit remote temples. After lunch – either a prepared picnic or from the charming Taktsang cafeteria – you return to COMO Uma Paro, where you can recharge on your final night, enjoying the steam rooms, gym and swimming pool or indulging in one of our COMO Shambhala treatments.
Overnight stay in COMO Uma Paro
Day 07: Departure
Your 10-minute transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule.
Day 01: Paro – Thimphu
As your Drukair flight weaves through the valley, arrival in Bhutan is like no other. As you touch down, keep your camera at the ready, as we have noticed how passengers slowly disembark and then stand on the tarmac totally bewildered. Then move through to immigration where you will present your Visa Approval letter and Passport for the official stamp. As you clear the Immigration check, please make your way to the baggage delivery area and here you will meet your Guide for the first time. The transfer to Thimphu is approximately 1 ½ hours and upon arrival and after settling in; you will have the choice of the National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library to visit, and perhaps time to stroll the Main Street for some interesting Himalayan artifacts or textiles.
Overnight stay in Amankora Thimphu.
Day 02: Tour of Thimphu
This morning you will head to the north end of the valley to view Tashichhoe Dzong, the seat of Bhutan’s government and Royal offices, and pay a visit to Pangri Zampa, two 16th century buildings that now house a monastic training school for astrologers. At the head of the valley, should you wish to stretch your legs, a short hike will take you to Cheri Goemba, the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. Back in town you should be able to visit a few of the capital’s cottage industries ranging from traditional paper making to hand rolled incense.
Overnight stay in Amankora Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu – Paro
Today you will be transfer to Paro. Here you could visit the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower), where an intriguing collection of artefacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lays the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge, and guests are then driven to the town temple, built in 1525, to view ancient wall paintings.
Overnight stay in Amankora Paro.
Day 04: Tour of Paro
This morning there will be choice of excursions with those wanting a further immersion into the culture and religion, visits to the Kyichu Lhakhang, Dumtse Lhakhang and the Drukgyel Dzong alter room can be organized. For the hikers, a beautiful trail can be taken up behind the lodge carrying on past Drukgyel Dzong, along the Paro Chhu, then across a suspension bridge and up thru terraced farmland and forests before looping back down the river to a second bridge and across the river, returning to the lodge.
Day 05: Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest)
Today will be an auspicious pilgrimage up to one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four to five hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. Accommodating mules and donkeys will be on hand to lessen the exertion for the climb up, and along the way a rewarding picnic will be served. The balance of the day will be at leisure to enjoy the spa and ease those blessed aches from the morning’s pilgrimage.
Day 06: Departure
A car will be ready to take you to Paro Airport. Transfer time is approximately 30 minutes and you are advised to arrive at the airport an hour before your international flight departure.
