Day 01: Arrival at Paro international airport
We will promptly be receiving, after you land at Paro international airport. You will be smoothly driven to the capital city of Bhutan (Thimphu), which takes one hour through chunzom (confluence of Pachu-the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu-the river flowing through Thimphu valley). You can also visit Tachog Lhakhang(Temple) on the way. Since it is located on the base of a mountain across the Pa chu on the Paro-Thimphu highway, one must actually walk over the iron chains that spans over the Pachu. Tachog Lhakhang was built on 14th century by the great Master architect Thangtong Gyalpo (Also known as Iron Chain Bridge Builder). After having beautiful experience on the way, you will reach in Thimphu city and you will be guided to Memorable chorten(Built in the memory of our Late 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk) and Tashi chodzong fortress which is the office of our king.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
After Breakfast you will be taken to the following places:
Buddha Point: One of the largest Buddhas (51.5m, 169ft) in the world in a sitting post surrounded by some beautiful and unique statues of goddesses. You will also see the bird’s eye view of Thimphu city from Buddha point. Buddha point (51.5m, 169ft) has a unique great Buddha statue of Dordenma (gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha) build on the mountain. The throne that the Buddha sits upon is a large meditation hall.
Changangkha Lhakhang: Changangkha temple is an old fortress like temple and monastic school ridge above Thimphu, southeast of Motithang. It’s Very popular for the newly born babies and children who are born in Thimphu and are believed to be protected by the local deities. It is one of the oldest temples built in 12 century and people take their newly born babies to get blessings and their names.
Takin Zoo: the takin is the national animal of Bhutan and, to be honest, it is the strange, unique and rare animal to be found in Bhutan. It is believed that The animal (Takin) was created by great divine madman Drukpa Kuenley, who took the head of the goat, attach it to the skeleton of a cow, clapped his hands and, to the surprise the skeleton magically grew a body and ran to into the meadow. Its because of its unique and rare look, it was chosen as the national animal of Bhutan.
Royal Textile Museum Bhutan: The Royal Textile has a very unique and invaluable collection of Bhutanese antique textiles which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Bhutanese textile. The royal textile museum has been established by Azhi Sangay Choden Wangchuk(Queen Mother) in 2001. And over a year it has attracted national and international countries to admire and appreciate the authentic textile of Bhutan.
Later lunch will be done at a local restaurant and then again resume with sightseeing.
Painting school of traditional arts and crafts: a life painting can be seen, where students undertake a six years course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Archery games: you can check out the national game of Bhutan at the National stadium.
Then if time permits you can have a leisurely walk around Thimphu town.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 03: The beautiful Punakha fortress
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Punakha ( 71km, driving time 2 and half an hour). In between the drive, there will be a brief stopover at Dochula Pass(3100m) where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. . In Dochula Pass there is 108 memorial Chorten or stupas known as Druk Wangyel making a place delighted to stay for a while. It was built by her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (queen mother of Bhutan) for the well-being of his majesty, king of Bhutan. The place becomes more pretty for the tourist when the eye catches one of the beautiful sights of the eastern Himalayan snow-capped ranges (6000m-7554m).
En-route to punakha, we will visit to Chimi lhakhang. It’s a hike (half an hour) from the road point. the Chimi Lhakhang was built in the 15th century by a famous Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as Divine Madmonk. This temple is famously known as a fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 4: Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Temple
After breakfast, we will drive to Punakha, which has been the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Punakha fortress was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637, amazingly build at the confluence of two rivers (po-chu (male river) and mo-chu (female river). It serves as the main administration office and the monk body.
Have Lunch nearby town.
Hike towards Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Temple. The hike is for an hour long and will take you through the beautiful terrace fields. It will be a great adventure for you all.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 5
Early morning drive to Gangtey (65Km). The drive is for 3 hours and the road condition is very bad as the road widening construction is carrying on. The journey will be driving through different vegetation and having Lunch en route. For the day visit the Crane information centre and explore the auspicious bird called Black necked crane.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 6
After breakfast, take a gentle Gangtey Natural trail hiking. The trail gives you a splendid view of beautiful Phobjikha valley. The valley of Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. It is a flat valley, giving an impression of vast space, an extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valleys are tightly enclosed with thick forest.
After a hike for an hour, visit Gangtey Goenpa Temple where you can see many monks studying in that Monastic Institution. Lunch enroute and then drive back to Paro.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 07: The Great Paro Fortress
After breakfast, it will be a drive of 4 hours back to Paro. After reaching Paro the first sight will be a very historical place, the Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress on a heap of jewels), followed by the Ta Dzong (a watch tower) and today it’s the country national museum. Later the visit will be Kyichu temple, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gempo.
The lunch will be at a local restaurant in Paro town. After lunch, we will have a leisurely walk around the town and you will get enough time to see around town and do some shopping if time permits.
Overnight in 3 star rated Hotel
Day 8: Chella Pass
Morning after Breakfast, drive towards Chella Pass which is the highest motorable road in Bhutan at an elevation of (4000mtrs). Then come down for lunch downtown.
After Lunch, visit Dobjey Dzong.
Overnight Paro: ( 3 star rated Hotel)
Day 09: Taksang (tigress nest)
Taksang is one of the highlights of our country and believes as a very sacred/holy place. The most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries is spectacularly perched on the side of the cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Taksang is a pilgrimage that the Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place in 746AD and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence it’s named as tigress Nest.
After an early breakfast, we will start our journey, where the drive will be for half an hour to reach the tigress nest base point. From the base, the start point to reach up and to get back to the base point will take 5 hours. It’s believed that any person who has visited Taksang is fascinated by the amazing architectural design and unique sight to see. When you reach the base, it’s optional to experience the hot stone bath.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Departure from Paro International Airport
- Package is inclusive of following:
- Airport Transfers
- Stay in hotels as indicated in the itinerary
- All three meals, tea and coffee
- Dedicated SUV vehicle with a driver
- English Speaking Guide throughout the Trip
- Short hikes, Packed lunches and snacks wherever required
- Monumental Fees
- Bhutan Tourism Development Fee
- VISA processing Fee
- Package is exclusive of following:
- International Air fare
- Alcohol
- Tips/gratuities
- Cost arising out of Flight Cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond our control
- Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost