Day 1: Arrive at Paro
Flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Airport is an exciting experience as the descent into Paro Valley brings you closer to the mountain tops than most other flights in the world. In fine weather, from a window seat, you can experience a spectacular view of the Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival, you will be greeted and received by our representative.
Visits to the following local places of interest will be made after checking in at the hotel:
Rinpung Dzong: Paro Rinpung Dzong which is also known as “fortress of the heaps of jewels” was built in 1646. It now houses the administrative offices of Paro District. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called the Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge to the Dzong, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also venue of the Paro Tshechu (religious dance festival), held once a year in spring.
Ta Dzong:The fortress was built in 1951 was one time watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. It was re-established as the National Museum in 1967 and has been rated among the best natural history museums in Asia. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors.
Kyichu Lhakhang:The temple is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to the 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang). Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples, the first temple was built by Buddhist Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, by Ashi Kesang Choden, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same style
Drukgyal Dzong: victorious fortress was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage into Paro valley, the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century from this location. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day, one can see the commanding view of Mount Jumolhari from the village, below the Dzong.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Visits to the following local places of interest will be made after checking in at the hotel:
Rinpung Dzong: Paro Rinpung Dzong which is also known as “fortress of the heaps of jewels” was built in 1646. It now houses the administrative offices of Paro District. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called the Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge to the Dzong, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also venue of the Paro Tshechu (religious dance festival), held once a year in spring.
Ta Dzong:The fortress was built in 1951 was one time watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. It was re-established as the National Museum in 1967 and has been rated among the best natural history museums in Asia. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors.
Kyichu Lhakhang:The temple is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to the 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang). Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples, the first temple was built by Buddhist Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, by Ashi Kesang Choden, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same style
Drukgyal Dzong: victorious fortress was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage into Paro valley, the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century from this location. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day, one can see the commanding view of Mount Jumolhari from the village, below the Dzong.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2:Travel to Thimphu
Travel to Thimphu--the capital of Bhutan. The drive from Paro to Thimphu will take approximately an hour. Upon arrival in Thimphu, you will visit local places of interest as follows:
Memorial Chorten (stupa): The great stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is a monument for world peace and prosperity.
Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park: A massive statue of Buddha Dordenma with a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world, is located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue.
Folk Heritage Museum: The exhibit in the museum is a restored three-storied traditional building rammed with mud and timber, which dates back to mid 19th century. In order to present a typical Bhutanese rural setting and flavour, paddy, wheat and millet fields; a traditional watermill (with mill stones that date back more than 150 years), traditional style kitchen gardens with vegetables that were grown and consumed over hundred years, and the famous traditional hot stone bath complement the museum building and the exhibitions within. It provides insights into traditional Bhutanese way of life reflecting Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
Textile Museum: The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes: warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibres and the royal collection. The Crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, namzas (clothes), the first version of the Raven Crown and other accessories used by members of the royal family can be found in the museum.
Takin Reserves: Visit the Taken Reserves to see the rare national animal of Bhutan. Takin is a vulnerable species with the sum of the subspecies on the engendered list. It is a rare animal found only in Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and China. This animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology.
Tashichho Dzong: Tashichho Dzong is Bhutan’s administrative and religious centre and houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Government Ministries, the nation’s largest monastery and headquarters of His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Head of the Monastic Body) and the monk body.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten (stupa): The great stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is a monument for world peace and prosperity.
Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park: A massive statue of Buddha Dordenma with a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world, is located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue.
Folk Heritage Museum: The exhibit in the museum is a restored three-storied traditional building rammed with mud and timber, which dates back to mid 19th century. In order to present a typical Bhutanese rural setting and flavour, paddy, wheat and millet fields; a traditional watermill (with mill stones that date back more than 150 years), traditional style kitchen gardens with vegetables that were grown and consumed over hundred years, and the famous traditional hot stone bath complement the museum building and the exhibitions within. It provides insights into traditional Bhutanese way of life reflecting Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
Textile Museum: The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes: warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibres and the royal collection. The Crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, namzas (clothes), the first version of the Raven Crown and other accessories used by members of the royal family can be found in the museum.
Takin Reserves: Visit the Taken Reserves to see the rare national animal of Bhutan. Takin is a vulnerable species with the sum of the subspecies on the engendered list. It is a rare animal found only in Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and China. This animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology.
Tashichho Dzong: Tashichho Dzong is Bhutan’s administrative and religious centre and houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Government Ministries, the nation’s largest monastery and headquarters of His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Head of the Monastic Body) and the monk body.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu-Punakha-Thimphu
Depart for Punakha early. The drive from Thimphu to Punakha is approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival in Punakha, the following places of interests will be visited:
Dochula Pass: is one hour drive from Thimphu and on a clear day, one can get a good view of the Eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m and the following peaks (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Chimi Lhakhang: A temple situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatize his teachings and due to this also known as ‘Divine Madman’. This temple 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.
Punakha Dzong: The fortress is the most beautiful in the country. The valley and Dzong of Punakha was the seat of power and politics in medieval Bhutan.It was in Punakha, the first hereditary Monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned on 17 December 1907. Punakha served as the winter capital till 1955 and Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.
Suspension Bridge: One of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals to get to the Dzong.
Drive back to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Dochula Pass: is one hour drive from Thimphu and on a clear day, one can get a good view of the Eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m and the following peaks (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Chimi Lhakhang: A temple situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatize his teachings and due to this also known as ‘Divine Madman’. This temple 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.
Punakha Dzong: The fortress is the most beautiful in the country. The valley and Dzong of Punakha was the seat of power and politics in medieval Bhutan.It was in Punakha, the first hereditary Monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned on 17 December 1907. Punakha served as the winter capital till 1955 and Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.
Suspension Bridge: One of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals to get to the Dzong.
Drive back to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: Travel to Paro
Check out from hotel and drive from Thimphu to Paro, which will approximately take an hour. Upon arrival in Paro, you will have an option to choose between the following:
Taktsang (Hiking): popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest temple is the Bhutan’s most famous monastery perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. According to legend, Guru Padsambhava is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands and hence it’s called the ‘Tigers Nest’.
OR
Chelela Pass: Located at 3810m (13,000ft), between the valley of Paro and Haa is Chele La, the highest road pass in the country. The drive to Chelela from Paro valley is approximately 2 hours. Depending on season you will encounter various sights such as frozen river, waterfall, rhododendron forest and yaks grazing peacefully. On a clear day, you can view Mt. Jumolhari(Bhutan's most sacred peak at over 22,000 ft) along with Jichu Drake and adjoining peaks to the North West, as well as the view of both the valley (Paro and Haa).
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Taktsang (Hiking): popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest temple is the Bhutan’s most famous monastery perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. According to legend, Guru Padsambhava is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands and hence it’s called the ‘Tigers Nest’.
OR
Chelela Pass: Located at 3810m (13,000ft), between the valley of Paro and Haa is Chele La, the highest road pass in the country. The drive to Chelela from Paro valley is approximately 2 hours. Depending on season you will encounter various sights such as frozen river, waterfall, rhododendron forest and yaks grazing peacefully. On a clear day, you can view Mt. Jumolhari(Bhutan's most sacred peak at over 22,000 ft) along with Jichu Drake and adjoining peaks to the North West, as well as the view of both the valley (Paro and Haa).
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 5: Depart from Paro, Bhutan
Our representative will accompany you to the airport to bid farewell as you depart with HAPPINESS!