The cold snow capped Himalayan Mountain, the untouched pristine nature, and white water rafting? It’s true, although it may seem out of place whitewater rafting, is without a doubt a fun excursion for friends and family to go on. In fact, the scenic landscape only acts as a backdrop as the two main rivers in Punakha the old capital of Bhutan.
The first river Pho Chu meaning “His river” or “Male river” is 16km long with 15 rapids whose classes are 2-4.
The second river Mo Chu meaning “Her river” or “Female river” is 10km long with 10 rapids whose classes are 2 and 2+.
With experienced rafters at the helm little to no experience is needed as the rafters will expertly guide you through a fun day of rafting through the scenic views that only Bhutan has but through an entirely different point of view as rare birds and animals can be seen or heard. Birds like the White Belled Heron and Kingfishers are often seen or heard in their natural untouched habitat that is the lush green forests that only Bhutan has.
The old capital Dzong (Which is explained in another article) provides a backdrop for a portion of the trip making it even more special. Families in Bhutan and tourists can often be seen rafting as even for Bhutanese who lived their entire lives in Bhutan it provides an experience only seen through the lens of a rafter.
Bhutanese see the chance to safely explore the famed rivers safely and with an experienced guide as a good weekend trip with family and friends. The cold water and screams from other rafters make the experience even more memorable especially when you can tell your friends about how their faces looked when they hit the white water rapids.
Safety is a priority in this so all rafters will be briefed, securely equipped and safely guided throughout the whole trip. The only thing needed is a willingness to paddle and perhaps even get a bit wet!
Tour Highlights
- Visit Farm house in Paro valley
- Visit Kyichu Monastery
- Visit Rinpung Dzong
- Visit Tachog Lhakhang
- Visit Taditional Bhutanse paper making factory
- Visit Simply Bhutan museum
- Visit Tango Monastery
- Visit Craft Bazaar
- Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang
- Visit Chhimi Lhakhang
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Experience river rafting in Pho chu (river)
- Experience river rafting in Mo chu (river)
- Visit Taking Preserve
- Witness Archery game
- Visit Kuensel Phodrang
- Visit Centenary Market
- Visit Tashichhoe Dzong
- Visit Natinal Memorial Chorten
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Fly into Paro by Drukair flight (Royal Bhutan Airline) or Bhutan Airlines. After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by our representative and drive to your hotel in Paro.
After checking into your hotel and refreshment visit the following:
Farm houses in Paro Valley and a visit to a farm house offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer and where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese lunch.
Kyichu Monastery, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.
Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks.Then walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditonal Bridge), oldest bridge in Bhutan.
In the evening stroll around Paro town and you may visit local handicraft stores.
Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 02 : Paro – Thimphu and Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast, you will travel to Thimphu valley which will take you through Chunzom (confluence of Pachu- the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu, the river flowing through Thimphu valley). On the way, visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple) , this 14th century temple located on the base of a mountain across the Pa chu on the Paro-Thimphu highway, is a must visit temple in the Paro valley. Built by the great master architect Thangtong Gyalpo, the temple houses some unique statues. To get to the temple one may actually walk over the iron chains that spans over the Pa chu ( Paro river).
After crossing Chunzom which is the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers, the drive will take you along the Wangchu ( Thimphu river) to Thimphu valley.
After checking into your hotel, you will visit the following:
Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.
National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Simply Bhutan, A living museum of rural life which provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
After lunch at Simply Bhutan enjoying the traditional Bhutanese lunch drive for about 30 minutes to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees which will be in full bloom during April month. Tango Monastery is the center for higher studies for monks. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtakingly beautiful. You will experience complete peace and serenity in this area. After visiting the monastery, walk back to the road and then drive back to Thimphu .
In the evening visit Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu
Day-03 :Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue
After breakfast, travel to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass 3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan. This is a unique feature of this monastery that no other monastery in Bhutan has.
Then drive onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907 and the 1st National Assembly was held there. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.
On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the person who unified Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork.
Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day-04: Punakha Rafting Tours Day 1 along the Pho Chu ( Male river) in Punakha Valley
After breakfast, an exciting rafting tour awaits you. Following a short drive you arrive at the river and, after a fully safety briefing, you take to your raft for a soft rafting experience down the Pho-Chu (Male River). You will need to do a little paddling and you may get a little we but it will all be worthwhile as this journey takes you through a wonderland of secluded scenic beauty. You drift along to Punakha Dzong, located on an island in the middle of the rivers. Built in 1637 the Punakha Dzong served as a religious and administrative centre for the region. Currently the Dzong is the winter residence of the Holy Monk Body of Bhutan. This rafting tour is expected to last 3-4 hours.
After a picnic lunch on the river side, you drive through the upper Punakha Valley passing through traditional villages and farmlands you will take a short hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day-05: Punakha Rafting tour Day 2 along the Mochu (Female River) in Punakha Valley
After breakfast,yet another exciting day awaits you. This good stretch is for those who are apprehensive about going on a whitewater trip. Start your day by taking an hour or so hiking up to the temple at Nyezengong and then floating down the scenic Mo Chhu past the Punahka Dzong and to the take out at the high school. It is recommended to finish by mid afternoon, as an upstream wind is common most afternoons.
In the evening you may visit Rinchengang village in Wangduephodrang where you will take a short hike through the village and have free interaction with the villagers. Round trip hike will take about 1 hr. At the same time you can view the ruins of Wangdue Dzong (the Dzong was razed to the ground by fire in 2012).
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day-06: Punakha – Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu and after lunch at Thimphu visit the following:
After breakfast , drive to Thimphu and after lunch visit the following:
Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
Witness Archery game which is National sport of Bhutan.
Kuensel Phodrang and take a short leisure hike to the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
Centenary Farmers Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs.
Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
National Memorial Chorten, chorten literally means ‘seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly local in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day-07: Thimphu – Paro and A Hike to Paro Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast drive to Paro for about 1 hour and hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest". The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½ hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.
In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot-stone bath.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day-08: Fly Out
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and our representative will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.