Royal Manas National Park Tour

The flight into Paro is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's highest peaks like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese guide and driver will warmly welcome you on arrival. Then we will drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit Memorial Chhorten – built in 1974 in memory of the third king, and the Big Buddha Statue – one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Evening stroll around Thimphu town.

After breakfast, visit the Post Office to make your own stamp, the Traditional Bhutanese Paper factory (Deh-sho), and the Weaving Center. After lunch, visit Drupthop Dewachen Nunnery (founded in 1976), the Takin Zoo to see the national animal, and Tashichhoe Dzong – an architectural delight housing the throne room and ministries. Evening stroll and shopping in Thimphu town.

Drive over the Dochula Pass (3,100 meters), offering incredible views of Himalayan peaks. Descend into Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total). After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness" built in 1637. Drive 12 km and walk across rice fields to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Visit Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk to Chime Lhakhang, the fertility temple.

After breakfast, drive to Gelephu, the southernmost district of Bhutan bordering India. Seven hours journey leads through subtropical forests, villages, and small townships of Tsirang and Sarbhang. Walk around the town in the evening.

Take the 150km drive from Gelephu to Gongphu and enjoy the ascent from 280m-1450m. Pass through Surey village where mandarin and cardamom farming is the main cultivation. Gongphu is the northernmost tip of the Royal Manas Park. This thriving sub-tropical ecosystem is a haven for wildlife such as langur, tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, samber, and a large number of bird species. Overnight in Eco-camp at Gongphu.

After breakfast, drive to Panbang through forests of mixed broad-leaved forests and thick undergrowth with numerous birds such as barbets, hornbills, bulbuls, doves, woodpeckers, and cuckoos. The camp is on the way to a village and provides a good view of the area due to its higher elevation. Overnight in Eco-camp Panbang.

After breakfast, drive to Royal Manas Park. Cross the river using a boat and do the Elephant Safari. This safari allows for the perfect tour to appreciate the wealth and beauty of the park. Towards evening, drive back to Panbang for dinner and overnight stay at the Panbang Eco Camp.

Morning explores the villages nearby the Eco camp. After lunch, enjoy the River Rafting adventure. Overnight at Eco-camp at Panbang.

Stay one more day here and explore other activities at Royal Manas National Park. Additional wildlife viewing, nature walks, or birding opportunities are available to make the most of your time in this biodiversity hotspot.

After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. As you drive, notice that the vegetation changes from sub-tropical to broad-leaved evergreen forests. This route has one of the richest forests with many varieties of trees, orchids, and other botanical plants. Check into your hotel on arrival.

Visit Trongsa Dzong in the morning. Then drive to Gangtey, stopping at Chendebji Chorten for lunch. Continue through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons. Visit Gangtey Goenpa (the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan) and the Black Necked Crane Information Center to see the endangered cranes. After lunch, drive to Punakha.

Set out for Paro. In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse and enjoy a hot-stone bath and typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro. The next morning, drive up to Satsam Chorten and hike up to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 3000 ft. The round trip hike takes about 4 hours. After early breakfast the following day, drive to Paro Airport for departure.