FSR

Arrive at Paro Airport, Your guide will meet you as you exit the airport after passing through immigration and luggage collection and will be holding a Six Senses wooden signboard. *It is a 70-minute transfer by road from the airport to Six Senses Thimphu*

Relax and settle in after your early morning flight with a complimentary early check in to “The Palace in the Sky”. Enjoy lunch on the sunken terrace with a menu inspired by our Eat with Six Senses philosophy.

After lunch depart the lodge for Changangkha Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site overlooking Thimphu Valley. Visited by new parents who bring their children here to be named and seek to obtain blessings from the protective deity of the temple, Genyen Domtsangpa, who is considered the birth deity and protector of children; this is always an active place of worship. Founded in the 13th or 14th centuries, it may be the oldest surviving temple in Thimphu, predating the unification of Bhutan in the 17th century.From here hike 90 minutes or drive towards the 52-meter-tall Buddha Dordenma.

The Buddha Dordenma, situated at the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, holds great significance for the country and its people. Conceived by the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in the 1990s, the Buddha is an embodiment of peace, prosperity and happiness. Step inside and discover the 125,000 smaller Buddhas within.

Tea and snacks will be served amidst fluttering prayer flags.

Afterwards join Thimphu residents for koras, or circumambulations, at the Memorial Chorten. The stupa, built in 1974, is a prominent landmark in the city with its gold spires and tinkling bells and attracts pilgrims from al l corners of the Kingdom who come to pray here.

Wellness Tip: Later this afternoon go for a swim in the heated swimming pool or try the sauna or steam rooms at the Six Senses Spa for a relaxing Jet Lag, Holistic or Deep Tissue Massage. 60/90 minutes sessions available by appointment.

Dinner this evening at Namhkha, the lodge’s signature restaurant.

Overnight at Six Senses Thimphu.

Begin the day with one of the daily scheduled wellness classes with our compliments.

After breakfast head out for a day of sightseeing in the valley. Choose from several Thimphu sites to visit including the Folk Heritage Museum and Zorig Chusum, (The National Institute for 13 Arts & Crafts). The National Textile Museum is a highlight for any visitor interested in the rich weaving culture of Bhutan with an extensive collection of textiles from around the country on display. You can also visit one of several Bhutanese textile centers to view or even purchase some of the Kingdom’s distinctive fabrics.

Local paper making: Visit Thimphu's paper workshop, where distinctive sheets of traditional Bhutanese paper are made, often incorporating flowers or plants into their fiber. The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8th century, although its usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today this craft is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan's cultural heritage. The tiny factory allows guests to view the whole papermaking process and purchase samples and gift items from their shop. For those interested in art, VAST offers changing contemporary art exhibits and is the country’s only art studio. Discover the fresh market selling seasonal organic produce next door.

Lunch today in town.

Back at the lodge take a hike customized to your fitness and energy level. Try the 45-minute lodge loop hike or climb further to Talakha Goemba situated on a ridge uphill from the lodge at 3,050 m. Rarely visited, this monastery boasts some of the best views of Thimphu Valley far below. *2 hrs up and back*.

Suggested Activity: On the way down from your hike stop at Lungsigang, a charming picnic spot for late afternoon tea and some energy boosting Bhutanese sweets and snacks.

Wellness Tip: Dotsho (Hot Stone) Bath. Mineral-rich stones from riverbeds are heated for several hours and added to the bath in this healing therapy. The addition of Khempa, a medicinal herb, works with the heat to release muscle pain and joint stiffness. 3-hour advance reservation required.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at Six Senses Thimphu.

Depart Thimphu this morning and drive 60 minutes to Paro for your 35-minute domestic flight to Bumthang.

Land in the forest clad Chamkar Valley, home to Six Senses Bumthang at an elevation of 8,575 feet (2,615 meters). Transfer to the lodge (15 minutes by road) and settle into the serene atmosphere at the ‘Forest in a Forest’ surrounded by blue pine trees and adjacent to the rushing Chamkhar Chhu river.

Bumthang is full of history and sites of religious importance and the deep faith of its people is apparent when passing by any of its holy sites. Pay a visit to Jakar Dzong, is the district’s main fortress next to Jakar Town and enjoy the views of the surrounding valley. Constructed in 1549 by the Tibetan lama Ngahi Wangchuk, the dzong played an important role of defense for the entire valley. Called “The Fortress of the White Bird” after a local legend according to which a mythical bird signaled the auspicious spot to establish the monastery.

Afterwards, embark on a Bumthang pilgrimage by car or by bike. First visit Jambay Lhakhang, where you can circumambulate the temple with locals. This temple is one of the Kingdom’s oldest, dating back to the 7th century when it is said that the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built 108 temples in a single day, each of which pinned down an enormous ogress that was causing harm to residents and preventing the spread of Buddhism throughout the region. Continue to Kurjey Lhakhang to drink holy spring water to cleanse your body, speech and mind. Your last stop of the pilgrim’s route will be at Tamzhing Lhakhang, built by Terton Pema Lingpa, the great treasure discoverer.

Return to the lodge for lunch or try our Upper Valley Riverside Grill. The beauty and magic of Bumthang is in its connection to the rivers and forests that line the valley. A short drive from town transports you to a secret riverside location that leaves civilization behind. Dine on a selection of grilled items cooked just for you on river stones heated to high temperatures by our team of chefs while the sound of the river torrents add a touch of adventure and charm to this secluded setting.

If energy allows drive to the base of Zhugdra Lhakhang, also known as ‘Mini Tiger’s Nest. Take a short hike (40 minutes) to the temple to visit the altar room and its enchanting surroundings.

Dinner this evening at Tongtshang, the lodge’s signature restaurant inspired by the lodge’s pristine setting.

Overnight at Six Senses Bumthang.

Start the day with a visit to the 5th King’s Temple to pay your respects before heading to Membertsho (the Burning Lake), where it is said,Terton Pema Lingpa dove into the river carrying a burning lamp in his hands and returned with treasures and relics, with the lamp still burning.

Stop en route for tea and to light a butter lamp with the inspiring nuns of Pemachhoeling.

Continue towards the remote but strikingly beautiful Tang Valley *(1.5 hrs by road) through picturesque scenery to the Ogyen Choling Manor. Enjoy a home-cooked meal before visiting the inspiring 4 storey museum to discover the history of the manor and traditional Bhutanese culture.

Suggested Activity: Saddle up for a horseback ride at Wobthang Horse Ranch and experience how Bhutanese aristocrats traveled in the past before roads arrived in Bhutan with a 3-hour ride to the manor.

Ogyen Choling Manor is the familial home of Ashi Kuenzang Choden, a member of an old aristocratic Bumthap family who has devoted her life to the preservation of traditional Bhutanese culture. The manor, which was built in 1898 can trace its origins back to the 14th century and was converted to be the first private museum in Bhutan in 2001. Discover Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage over several floors with objects ranging from textiles and baskets to farm tools and ritual objects. Don’t miss the multi-story altar room in an adjacent building with its beautifully preserved religious murals.

Ashi Kuenzang has written books on Bhutanese folk tales to memorialize the rich oral tradition of her childhood experiences.

Before returning to the lodge, visit Ta Rimochen Lhakhang, known for its foot, hand and body prints of Guru Rinpoche.

Afterwards visit the neighboring town for a stroll and a chance to interact with the locals.

Stop by the Red Panda Brewery to sample the local beer and cheese.ff time allows enjoy a leisurely stroll at nearby Jakar Village with its central bazaar and lined street of wooden houses.

Dinner this evening at the lodge.

Overnight at Six Senses Bumthang.

Depart Bumthang this morning towards Gangtey traveling along the East West highway amongst striking landscapes of natural beauty. Along the way, stop in Trongsa, the original seat of Royal power with the first two kings of the Wangchuck dynasty ruling from here. The commanding Trongsa Dzong, which sits high above the roaring Mangde Chhu, is perhaps the most spectacularly sited dzong in Bhutan, with a sheer drop to the south that often just disappears into cloud and mist.

The rambling assortment of buildings that comprises the dzong trails down the ridge and is connected by a succession of alley-like corridors, wide stone stairs, and beautiful paved courtyards. The dzong’s strategic location gave it power over this part of the country and tradition still dictates that the crown prince serves as Trongsa penlop (governor) before acceding the throne. Visit the small museum situation in the dzong before continuing through the charming town. *Transfer by road today 4.5-5 hrs.* Enjoy a light and healthy picnic in a scenic spot along the way.

Arrive to Phobjikha Valley. This quiet, remote valley is the chosen winter home of the rare, black-necked cranes, which migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau.

Check in at Six Senses Gangtey at 9,395 ft. (2,865 m.) and settle into the serene atmosphere of this intimate lodge with its panoramic views over this glacial valley. Phobjikha is a high-altitude valley dotted with small villages and ancient temples and home to yak herders and the rare, Black-necked cranes. Revel in the views from the cantilevered ‘Birdwatching Bridge’, drawing the eye across the wetlands sprinkled with tiny monasteries and temples.

This afternoon visit the Black-necked Crane Visitor Center dedicated to protecting Thrung Trung Karmo, located directly below our lodge. The valley is the winter residence for approximately 400 of these rare cranes who migrate in each year from Tibet.

Take the lodge’s bikes out for a ride along the nature trail or hike its small paths which crisscross the valley floor. Stop along the way at Khewang Lhakhang on the valley floor to see the temple’s unique Buddha statues and original painted walls. Join the young monks for light conversation. Take a break with hot chocolate or hot toddies surrounded by the valley’s expansive beauty.

Dinner this evening at Bazaam, the lodge’s signature restaurant located in the Traditional Bird Watching Bridge.

Overnight at Six Senses Gangtey.

This morning head out for one of the Kingdom’s classic hikes, the Loma Longtey Trail, which begins at Pele La Pass and winds through a small village where yak herders put up their camps during winter. The trail carries you up to Kayche La Pass at 12,140 ft. (3,700 m.) where stunning views of Phobjikha Valley and Gangtey Village await.

If you opt to skip the hike today, you can visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery instead. Situated on a hillock offering expansive views of the valley with its magnificent temple housing a 14ft (4.2m) tall statue of the Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara. Built and sponsored by the Royal Grandmother, there are 120 nuns in residence here. There is a school and a meditation center which can be visited. Observe morning classes before taking in the richly colored murals of the prayer hall. Join the head of the nunnery for tea here and learn more about their daily lives over snacks and conversation

Enjoy a picnic lunch or return to the lodge for your mid-day meal.

Pay a visit to Gangtey Village to explore the quaint shops of this one street town and visit the 16th century golden-topped Gangtey Goemba at the head of the valley. Phobjikha Valley's landmark structure was built as a center for Buddhist philosophy and spiritual teaching. The monastery encompasses a school, meditation facilities and living quarters for its resident monks and is also home to the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the region’s most mportant “treasure discoverers.”

You can also pay a visit to the Shreyda, an active monastery and Buddhist university where the resident monks teach meditation to willing visitors.

Later this afternoon take the bikes out along the valley’s quiet roads before returning to the lodge.

Dinner at Bazaam this evening back at the lodge.

Overnight at Six Senses Gangtey.

After breakfast, once again rejoin the East West Highway as you travel towards Punakha. *2.5 hrs by road*

Descend into the lush, subtropical valley with its charming farmhouses and terraced rice fields. Stop as you enter the valley for a stroll across the rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple, to learn about Drukpa Kinley, the revered ‘Divine Madman’ and Buddhist ‘crazy wisdom’.

The prayer hall inside the monastery has a display of tantric objects ranging from drums, bells, and horns. The statue of Drukpa Kinley dressed in monastic robes is situated at the main altar alongside a statue of his dog Sachi. Women come from all over the Kingdom seeking blessings and are tapped on the head by the presiding lama with wood or bone phalluses or are asked to circumambulate the shrine with them. The adjacent village has some surprisingly graphic phallus paintings in honor of the saint on its homes and shops.

From the temple it’s a pleasant 35-minute journey along the scenic valley before arriving at the lodge. Check in at Senses Punakha’s cozy ‘Flying Farmhouse’, a cantilevered wooden structure that serves as the lodge lounge and reception and offers gorgeous views over the pool and surrounding rice fields. Our lowest lodge sits at 5,140 ft. (1,565 m.).

Late lunch poolside with stunning views across the valley.

This afternoon hike alongside the river climbing up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, a temple built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon to bring peace to the world. Just a short drive from Punakha Dzong, it takes about 50 minutes to climb from the road through beautiful, terraced rice paddies to reach the chorten which was completed in 1999 after eight years of construction. The visitor is rewarded with stunning views of the valley below.

Dinner at Ari, the lodge’s signature restaurant.

Overnight at Six Senses Punakha.

Rise early in the morning for a hike across the valley’s terraced rice fields towards a 16th century hilltop monastery to join the young novices for a traditional monastic breakfast. Afterwards, spend some time engaging with them and the chief abbot, Lama Nado to gain insight into their daily lives. Breakfast time is 8:30am.

Suggested Active Offering: Take advantage of Punakha’s subtropical climate with some time spent out on the river rafting later this morning. Choose between the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and the Po Chhu (Father River) (depending on the time of the year) for an active and adventurous ride. The total rafting time is approximately 90 minutes. This is a fun and exciting way to see Punakha from another angle. *24 hr. advance booking required*

Lunch back at the lodge.

This afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the Kingdom’s most impressive and thought by many to be its most beautiful. Located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the dzong’s majestic structure stands six stories high. The dzong is the winter residence of Bhutan’s central monastic body led by its leader, the Je Khenpo. Take your time to explore this architectural wonder’s courtyards, murals, and its prayer rooms which contain many of the Kingdom’s most sacred relics.

As light softens over the valley’s rolling hills, walk a short distance behind the dzong towards the country’s longest suspension bridge. Tied with colorful fluttering prayer flags, you can join the locals as they cross on foot on their way home from school and work at the end of the day.

Suggested Experience: Afterwards watch the sun set over the dzong with our “Pomegranate Martini” experience. Enjoy some late afternoon refreshments served courtesy of the Six Senses Team amidst a rice field with the rushing river as your backdrop. By advance appointment.

Dine this evening at the cozy signature restaurant Ari.

Overnight at Six Senses Punakha

This morning depart Thimphu towards Paro Valley, the second stop on your journey. *70 minute transfer by road* The impressive Rinpung Dzong greets you on your arrival into Paro town. Enter the dzong via Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilevered bridge.

The Paro National Musuem which is located next to the dzong displays a fascinating collection of Bhutanese relics offering insights into Bhutanese life in the past.

Suggested Cultural Activity: Prayer Flag Making & a Farmhouse Lunch. Drive to the home of a local family who have been making prayer flags by hand for generations. Situated in the center of expansive paddy fields, a visit to this three - story earthen farmhouse offers insight into rural Bhutanese life. Learn the secrets of their craft as you make your own prayer flags before enjoying a hearty lunch of local favourites.

Depart the farmhouse for Kyichu Lhakhang, a 7th century sanctuary located nearby and one of the oldest religious structures in the Kingdom. An absolute gem for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike, it is said to have two magical orange trees that bear fruit throughout the year.

From the town it’s a 20-minute drive up a high mountain road past stunning views of the valley below to the lodge.

Check into Six Senses Paro. Situated at an elevation of 9,415 ft (2,870 m.) next to the remnants of a 15th century fortress, the stone ruins and breathtaking views across the valley provide a dramatic backdrop to your stay.

This afternoon challenge your guide and driver to a game of archery, Bhutan’s national sport. Don’t forget to adopt the habit of singing and dancing to distract your opponent. A shot of ara (local moonshine) is said to greatly improve one’s hand-eye coordination.

Enjoy a sauna or a swim at the spa or set out on the lodge loop hike along trails that crisscross their way through the surrounding pine forests.

Dinner this evening at Jangkho, the lodge’s signature restaurant.

Overnight at Six Senses Paro.

Set out early this morning, after an energy boosting breakfast, on a challenging full day hike to Taktsang Goemba, more famously knowns as “Tiger’s Nest “. The hike begins at the base camp 40 minutes’ drive from the lodge by a forested ridge where you will climb to an elevation of 2,950 meters. One of the most significant cultural icons of the Kingdom, the highly revered monastery of Taktsang was built on a sheer cliff face above Paro where the revered saint, Guru Rimpoche arrived on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to the Kingdom in the 8th century. The temple complex is visible from the valley floor and during cooler weather clouds can shroud the monastery, highlighting its sanctity and remoteness.

Your guide will share stories of the monastery’s history along the way. Pine forests decorated with moss and prayer flags surround you as you make your way along the paths of this sacred trail. Hang prayer flags and let your wishes be carried out on the wind to all sentient beings.

A picnic lunch will be arranged in a scenic spot en route. The hike will take approximately 4-5 hours. *Tiger’s Nest hike is a moderate to strenuous hike but do-able for most and well worth the effort*. Ponies are available for hire for the first part of the ascent if required. They cannot be taken for the descent.

Wellness Tip: Visit the Six Senses Spa to relax after your strenuous hike with a Deep Tissue Massage. *60- and 90-minute* sessions available by pre-appointment.

Suggested Experience: Visit the tiny 16th century Samtenling Monastery, just a ten-minute walk from the lodge. Light 108 butter lamps to dispel darkness in the universe followed by a blessing led by the resident monks.

Dine at Janghko this evening or on the terrace, weather permitting. Reflect on the amazing adventures of these past days as you prepare for your onward journey.

Overnight at Six Senses Paro.

After an early breakfast, finalize your packing and say goodbye to your Bhutanese hosts before departing the lodge. From here it is a 30-minute transfer to the airport. Your GEM will accompany you and assist with your departure arrangements.

Say goodbye and board your flight back home with beautiful memories of your experience in Bhutan.