Overview
Special tour covering culture, history and natural legacy of Bhutan.
This tour will take you to the wonderful Himalayan scenery and you will
experience the Bhutan with dramatic land architecture and medieval
fortress/monastery.
Day 01 Arrive Paro ( by Druk Air) / Thimpu
Druk Air flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights.
Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills,
each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers exciting descent into the Kingdom.
On arrival at the airport, received by our representative and then transfer to
Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.
Day 02 Thimpu
After breakfast Thimphu sightseeing. Visit Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful
medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's office and
King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief
Abbot. Then visit National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist
texts and manuscripts.
After that drive to Arts & Crafts School, famous for traditional thangkha
paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate design on
cloth.
After lunch visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of
beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the
stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King who is popularly regarded as
Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside this monument provide
a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy
Day 03 Thimpu - Punakha (75 km/ 3 hrs) - Wangduephodrang
After breakfast drive to Punakha with a short stop at Dochula pass (3,080m)
stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire 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.
Later visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and
Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious
and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important
role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake,
the Dzong has now been fully restored.
After that drive to Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The
district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and
stone carvings.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Day 04 Punakha - Paro ( 125 km/ 4 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong,
the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for
religious studies.
Afternoon in Paro visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally
built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is serving as the National Museum of the
country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings
and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.
Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan,
the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district
administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05 Paro
After breakfast drive north of Paro valley to ruins of
Drukgyel Dozng. From this fort Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetan
armies.
Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into
lifestyle of local people.
Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese
monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress
and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion
to monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip.
While return to Paro town visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and
most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 06 Paro - Fly out
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward
destination.
End of Services
TOUR LODGING INFO:
05 Nights Hotels
