DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO

To Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the mountain range from Kathmandu, the journey offers facinating views and an exciting into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will breath clean mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of the country.

On arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90000 it is perhaps still the worlds only capital city without a traffic light.

Later in the day take an exploratory walk around Thimphu Craft Bazaar located a few minutes walk from hotels. Recently established under patronge of Department of cottage and small industry and in collaboration with the department of culture, tourism council and the department of agriculture marketing and cooperatives, this market offers genuine Bhutanese arts and crafts thus contributing in promotion and preservation of traditional arts.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 02: PARO TO THIMPHU - THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of city’s main attractions that includes:

• Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu City centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from Buddha point. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.
• School for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as Arts and Crafts school or painting school, the school offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, you can see students learning the various skills at the school. (Zoring Chusum is an art school and are periodically closed for exams, summer and winter holidays, if closed replace visit with Zangthopelri Lhakhang )
• Simply Bhutan Museum: The newly commissioned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. The uniqueness of the structure is in its composition of materials used. The structure is built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional and old demolished houses. The best part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people.

Lunch followed by city tour that includes;

• Textile mesum: is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men.
• Tashichhoedzong after 5: 30, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel

DAY 03: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - WANGDUE PHODRANG (75 km, 3 hrs approx)

After breakfast drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochula pass (3050m) heralds the most enchanting views of the Chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

At Dochula Pass,108 Chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty five chortens, the second has thirty six and the top layer has twenty seven, built around the main chorten.

Then explore some part of Royal Botanical Park : It is the first botanical park in Bhutan and forms the backdrop of the Dochula pass.

Afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong or (‘Palace of Great Happiness’), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.

Then embark on an interesting excursion to Chimi Lhakhang. This Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpse into the daily life of the village folks. Evening explore newly developed Wangduephodrang town and its local market. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangduephodrnag. (Altitude 1300m)

DAY 04: PUNAKHA - THIMPHU - PARO (125km, approx 4.1/2 hours drive)

After breakfast, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams this impressive structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangkha painting.

Then drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley.

En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching. This oldest dzong of the country built in 1627, now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.

Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as watch tower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.Evening take a stroll around Paro main street, exploring its local shops and market area.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 05: PARO

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery(approx. 5 hours round trip walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Later in the afternoon, drive to the base of Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. Nearby visit a traditional farm house, which offers deep insight into lifestyle of local people especially the village folks.

While returning to the hotel, along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

DAY 06: DEPART AT PARO AIRPORT

After breakfast at hotel, drive to the airport for departure.

Accommodation

The standard hotels in Bhutan are almost 2 or 3 starred in the country. The standard hotels provides the basics and are maintained well. The luxury hotels are in the 4 & 5 star level and are most commonly located in Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang and Punakha.
Accommodation establishments are more modest with fewer amenities in the more remote areas of central (Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang) and eastern Bhutan (Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Samdrup Jongkhar). Sometimes the best accommodation can be a very modest one, especially in the central and eastern regions.
While your travel with us, we can assure you your accommodation can vary from lodges, guest houses, smaller hotels and tented camps.

Guides

All our tours are escorted by well trained and knowledgeable local English Speaking Guides. Our guides are all certified and trained by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There will be extra charges for German/French/Japanese guides. Since there are not many language speaking guides in Bhutan, advance booking will increase the confirmation of the language speaking guides.

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