BREATHTAKING BHUTAN

Itinerary

• add Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu - Paro by Bhutan Airlines

  Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains and lush valleys. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), the National Museum and the Paro town. You will be greeted by our local representative at the airport & welcome you to Bhutan with traditional scarves. After completing the formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu. A mixture of rice fields, apple orchards and farm houses. After passing the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers, the road ascends and the valley turns into a narrow gorge before widening out at Namseling, and soon the quaint shrubs of Thimphu begins to appear. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is the only large settlement in Bhutan. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress, and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. Depend on time you can visit memorial Chorten built in memory of third king Jime Dorji Wangchuk by the order of her late Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in 1974. Stroll in the town, buy souvenir from Bhutan as you like, and visit weekend market ( Fri, Sat, Sun) where you have immense opportunity to take pictures of the people and the goods they displayed for sell; both produced locally and imported from neighboring India. Overnight at Lha-Yul /Phuntsho Pelri  

• add Day 02. Thimphu sightseeing. Evening, drive to Punakha. B/L/D

  Following your breakfast, enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974.  Buddha Point: This is a very popular and most attractive place in Thimphu recently because of the construction of tallest statue of Buddha Dordenma which is 51.5 m tall with commending view of the Thimphu valley below.   Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu dating back to 15^th century. Buddhist Nunnery where the nuns of all ages are practicing dharma. National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). The Royal Government of Bhutan has sponsored and established this national institute in the year 1971  mainly to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country’s economy through quality products and services. In the course of history Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts & crafts. Tashichhodzong:  The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King’s throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Time permitting, you can visit craft bazaar where you can find authentic Bhutanese craft goods which are ideal for souvenirs back home.

  Towards evening, drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it serves as winter resident of Je-Khenpo ( Chief Lama) and houses both administrative offices and monk body of Punakha district. It was here that the first king of Bhutan was crowned in 1907 and the tradition still continues to this day.

  The road to Punakha is very enjoyable and interesting with scenic natural beauty through villages, temperate forests, view of distant mountains and snow-capped Himalayas. Stop at Dochula Pass (3150m) marked by 108 stupas and thousands of colorful prayer flags hung around by people to bring good fortune to them and their family. Another new temple on top of a hill was recently built in honor of 4^th Druk Gyelpo King Jigme Singye Wangchuk by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest queen Mother. On fine weather, you would be able to enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan range from the pass. Descend down through windy road to the sub-tropical valley of Punakha & Wangdue. Overnight at the Hotel Drubchhu Resort or Similar.

   

• add Day 03. Punakha-Paro (143km, 4 hours) B/L/D

  Following breakfast, visit the most beautiful Dzong of Punakha situated in the comfluelence of two rivers built in the 16^th century. It is also an old capital  and now serves as both administrative religious functions of the Punakha District. On your return,  visit The “temple of fertility” temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley (crazy wisdom) called Chime Lhakhang.  It is situated on top of a knoll offering views of lush valleys of Punakha and Wangdue. This temple was built in the 15^th century and is a pilgrimage site for barren couple.  On your return, visit some of the farm houses and have the feeling of daily lives of the village folks.

  Continue drive back to Paro via the same road crossing over Dochula pass at an elevation of 3150m.  You have second opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas. Time permitting, visit Paro Rinpong Dzong. Evening at leisure. You can stroll in Paro town, visit local shops, buy souvenirs as you wish. Overnight at the hotel Sangayling or Similar

• add Day 04. Excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Visit of Historical places

  Following breakfast, drive 10km north through the beautiful valley of Paro and hike to Taktsang (tiger’s Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. In the 8^th century Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru Dorje Drolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17^th century, the 4^th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger’s lair in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from all over the world. It was completely burnt down in 1998 and re-built with help from Bhutan government, individual donors and financial supports from other nations.

   It takes 2 hours ascend till the closest view point and 1 hour descend to the valley. Stop at tourism café situated half way for refreshment. On your way back, you again stop at the café for lunch. After lunch, continue to walk down to the bottom of the valley where your vehicle is waiting.  Overnight at the hotel Sangayling or Similar.

• add Day 05. Fly Paro-Kathmandu or other destinations as per itinerary

  Following breakfast, drive to airport for your onward flight. Your guide will assist with your baggage, bid you farewell and wish you safe journey back home