Day
01. ARRIVE PARO AND PROCEED TO THIMPHU During this flight, one will
experience breathtaking views of
Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other
Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari and
Mt. Jichu Drake
in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro our representative will meet you outside the
arrival hall and escort you till Thimphu. The drive to Thimphu from Paro is
approx. 1 hour and covers a distance of nearly 41 miles. Check in at the
hotel and proceed for lunch
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Day 02. IN THIMPHU.
This morning after the
breakfast, proceed for the tour of Thimphu city. Start the tour with
Memorial
Chorten built in memory of the late King; Visit the
handicrafts
Centre School of Fine Arts (Thangka painting and other traditional arts)
where the traditional arts are being revived by the government, also visit
the
Indigenous Medicine Hospital, where herbal medicine, acupuncture
and the ancient art of healing that was passed down from Tibet is still
being practised today. Enjoy your lunch either at the hotel or at the famous
Pizzeria or at the oldest Swiss Bakery.After the lunch proceed to visit
Changgangkha
temples; Drubthrob nunnery; Folk and Textile museums; and then visit the
Tashichhodzong, seat of the Royal Government and Central Monastic Body,
it was rebuilt in the early 1960's after a fire destroyed most of the
building. The amazing thing about this building is that it was built without
a single drawing or a single nail!. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Day 03. THIMPHU - PUNAKHAAfter an early breakfast take
a scenic
drive on the mountain route towards the former capital of Bhutan,
passing through
Dochula pass (Alt: 10,000ft). Soon you reach Dochula
Pass at 10,000 feet where a large
Chorten and a forest of
prayer
flags greet you. On a clear day you can view an endless chain of
Himalayan Peaks such as Gangar Punsum (24,000 ft), the highest unclimbed
peak in the world, Ganchenta, Teri gang, table mountain among other all
above 20,000 ft. On the way down you will see the magnificent
Punakha
Dzong, the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and the monks of
Tashichhodzong. Upon arrival check in at the hotel and proceed for hot
lunch. Later visit the
Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je
Khenpo and the monks of Tashichhodzong.
The Dzong is situated at the
confluence of two mighty glacial rivers,
the Mo Chu and Pa Chu,
which descend from the lofty heights of the Himalayas, and was the capital
of the kingdom in olden times. Later
hike on to
Chhimi Lhakhang
situated near the river on a small plateau. It was built by the famous "divine
madman" Drukpa Kuenley; a famous pilgrim site for infertile women who
wish to bear children.Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Stay
overnight in Phunakha.
Day 04. PUNAKHA
-WANGDUE - THIMPHU - PARO After an early breakfast drive down for
another 30 odd minutes and visit the beautiful
Wangdiphodran Dzong and
its local market. Thereafter drive back to Paro, enroute stopping at
Thimphu for lunch. After the lunch, drive down for an hour and reach the
Paro valley. Check-in at hotel of your stay and relax or just walk around.
Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Day
05. IN PAROBreakfast at the hotel. The highlight of this day will
be a hike to Taktsang retreat at
Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest).
This is about 3 hrs walk uphill and can also be done on horseback. Lunch
will be served enroute. Return downhill on foot. Afternoon sightseeing in
Paro includes a visit to the northern part of the valley to
Drukgyel
Dzong ruins (Monastery Fortress) that once was a strategic post to
withhold invading Tibetan forces from the north; visit the famous
Kyichu
Lhakhang - one of 108 sacred Lhakhangs built by the Buddhist
King
Srongtsen Gompa of Tibet. Visit the district Dzong called
Rinpung
Dzong - Fortress of a Mountain of Jewels, which is now the seat of
administration and an institute to the monks.
Stay overnight in
Paro.
Day 06. LEAVE PARO
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in time to connect to the
flight for onward destination
