Transformative Travel LLC

The Royal Himalayan Explorer, Bhutanese Luxury Travel

Transformative Travel’s Himalayan Explorer features Bhutan’s ancient towns of Paro and Punakha. Breathtaking scenery includes ancient monasteries, hiking, rafting, fly fishing as well as witnessing ancient living cultures, traditions and practices in one of the most environmentally conscious nations on our planet.

  • Duration: 7 nights, 8 days. 
  • Activities: Local sightseeing, picturesque hikes with breathtaking Himalayan vista views, visits to beautiful monasteries and temples, opportunities for world class spa services, and connecting to warm locals. 
  • Luxury Accommodations:
    • COMO Uma Paro – 4 nights. 
    • COMO Uma Punakha – 3 nights. 
  • Visa: Required.
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Itinerary

Upon arrival you will be greeted by staff from COMO Uma Paro before embarking on the 10-minute transfer to their luxurious property.

After checking in and spending some time settling into your new surroundings, explore the Himalayan kingdom with sightseeing in Paro and a temple visit. This afternoon trip allows you to acclimatize to the rarefied air at this altitude as well as the chance to get to know your guide.

  • Overnight: COMO Uma Paro

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 Trashi Chhoe 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 to 108 chortens (Buddhist shrines), forests of cluttering prayer flags and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the Himalayan range.

  • Duration of drive: 3 to 4 hours (126km)
  • Overnight: COMO Uma 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 reach Chimmi Lhakhang, a 15th-century fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint, perhaps 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.

Duration: 6 to 7 hours 

Difficulty: Easy to moderate 

Overnight: COMO Uma Punakha

After breakfast drive to Chorten Ningpo, which dates back to the 17th century. The chorten is a little-known spot with a magnificent statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha) and images of the great lamas of the Drukpa lineage.  The great oak tree outside the monastery is said to have grown out of the blazing log that the ‘Divine Madman’ threw (the tree’s bark is still black from where it was burnt). In 2005 the monastery began to house orphans from the nearby village, and founded a small Buddhist educational institution where the children can study traditional Buddhist scriptures and texts as well as Western subjects. The hike back to COMO Uma Punakha is around 45 minutes, going past Thodrup Lhakhang.

  • Duration: 3 to 4 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  • Overnight: COMO Uma Punakha
  • After lunch there is the option to Talo Nobgang village, try white water rafting (must be aged over seven). Alternatively, enjoy a COMO Shambhala wellness therapy.

Retrace your steps back over the Dochu La pass for a second chance to view the Himalayan mountain range. Returning to the Chuzom (the confluence of the rivers Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu), you can glimpse the 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 back to our mountain home, where you can spend the rest of the day in this calming setting. One popular option is to try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport.

  • Duration of drive: 3 to 4 hours (126km)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Overnight: COMO Uma Paro

Walk to Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro Town, Kyichu Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong

Wind through pine forests high above COMO Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zurig Dzong. We traverse across to Ta Dzong, home to Bhutan’s National Museum, with magnificent views over Paro, and on down to Rinpung Dzong (also known as ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’). The trail then leads across Paro Chhu river via the traditional covered bridge Nyamai Zam, and then 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. This is 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 (depending on time spent in National Museum and Paro)
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  • Overnight: COMO Uma Paro

The historical Paro Valley is the focus of today’s activities, culminating in a visit to the Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, which is 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 passing a waterfall and end 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.

  • Duration: 6 to 8 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard
  • Overnight: COMO Uma Paro

Your 10-minute transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule.

Accommodation

Private Villas or Luxury rooms

Accommodation on this journey ranges from private villas to luxury rooms that blend traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship and contemporary design with award-winning cuisine and an incredible spa. 

What's included

  • Arrival meet & greet at Paro International Airport. 
  • Escorted transfers, meals & accommodation as listed. 
  • No hassles with all logistics planned, special activities, reservations, and excursions as listed in your itinerary. 
  • Connections to the best local travel tribe guides of the area. 
  • Detailed packing checklist. 
  • Maps of destination. 
  • Quick access Google shared folder for your convenience, anywhere. 
  • Guidance on travel policies, do’s and don’ts. 
  • A consciously designed itinerary using transformational travel best industry practices.
  • Our Process that includes: 
    • Pre journey interview (1-hr). 
    • During journey practices & support. 
    • Post journey reflection (1-hr). 
  • Complimentary Travel with H.E.A.R.T. gift packages before departure (includes over $50 worth of travel goodies and printed essentials for your journey!)
  • Applicable taxes & credit card processing fee are included. 
  • Departure services. 

The place

Bhutan

Bhutan has four distinct seasons. The spring season (late March, April & May) and autumn season (late September, October & November) are the most popular times to visit with generally clear, mild weather, excellent scenery, lower rainfall and a range of festivals, including Tshechus and Dromchoes.

Other experiences in the area

Custom Tailor

Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan nation where religion and nature have come together offering adventure travelers opportunities for multi-day trekking, fly fishing, white-water rafting and even wildlife. Call us for a FREE 30-minute complimentary consultation via video or phone. 

Why this journey?

  • Experience the humble people and rich Bhutanese culture.
  • Enjoy the luxurious and sleek comforts of COMO’s ideally set, Uma Resorts. 
  • Experience bliss with COMO’s on-site wellness spa, leisure spaces, and diverse activities suitable to a range of interests. 
  • Enjoy one-on-one guidance by seasoned local guides during your Himalayan explorations. 
  • Spend quality time in a gorgeous setting with loved ones while immersing yourself in rich Bhutanese culture. Learn from their inspirational history, the warm people, impressive bird diversity, and awe-inspiring natural beauty.
  • Trek to the infamous Tiger’s Nest, a marvel of architecture. Perched on a sheer rock face and an altitude over 10,000 ft., it is an epic way to end your adventure to Bhutan.

PRICING

Please note that all booking are subject to availably during the time of deposit. 

Festival

$ 7,450
Per Person
  • Season: April 2 - 10, 2022
  • Pricing based on Double Occupancy.
  • Valley View Rooms

Season 1

$ 6,950
Per Person
  • Season: March, April (except festival dates), May, September, October & November.
  • Pricing based on Double Occupancy.
  • Valley View Rooms

Season 2

$ 6,695
Per Person
  • Season: January, February, June, July & August.
  • Pricing based on Double Occupancy.
  • Valley View Rooms

Schedule your virtual complimentary consultation.

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?

Our Process

Bring more meaning to your journey locally, nationally or internationally with our 4-part process. 

GIFT CARDS

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CUSTOM TAILOR

Your Journey

What journey is calling you, or inspires you and what most matters to you during your journey?

Contact us to learn more.