BHUTAN TOUR

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Thimpu, city’s main attractions that includes:

National Library (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
Institute for Zorig Chusum (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
(Zorig Chusum is an art school and is periodically closed for exams, summer and winter holidays, if it is closed on your scheduled sightseeing day, we shall replace it with visit to Zangthopelri Lhakhang)

Folk Heritage Museum – The museum gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households; it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment.

Bhutan Postal Museum – The postal museum narrates the story of evolution of communication, transportation and postal services in Bhutan through different phases of the changing time. The story is told through the collection of various anecdotes, artifacts and the rich assortment of stamps the country has produced over the years. You can get your personalized postal stamps made here.

Memorial Chorten (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters): The stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Buddha Dordenma or Kuensel Phodrang (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and 09:00- 04:00 hrs. during winters): Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). 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. Optional: Here, you will have an opportunity to do self-meditation inside the temple.

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Optional: Here, you will indulge into self-meditation for a while in one of the caves above Dochula and shall also hoist prayer flags.

After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong (open between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), 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 been fully restored by the present King. The Dzong is open for visitors during Punakha festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu.

Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lakhang (open between 09:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm), situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, 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 glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. After motorable road one has to walk hrough paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1.1/2 hours walk, both ways.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast 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 (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and 09:00- 04:00 hrs. during winters), the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.

Optional: Today, we shall have a Royal Indian Thali lunch at Le Meridien Riverfront.

Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm, closed on govt. holidays), originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Ta Dzong visit shortly followed by a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): 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.

Optional: Tonight, you will have dinner with a local family while interacting with the family members and to understand their way of life.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5 hrs hike, open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm): 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. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor.

On the way back to town stop at a Farm House and enjoy Butter Tea (Optional), one can also opt for Hot Stone Bath here on direct payment basis.

Along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters): is 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. Optional: Here, you will be lightening up 108 butter lamps.
OR – Chele la driving excursion

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Chele la (mountain pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters, considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive along a thickly-forested road, is this botanical paradise located. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Here, visitors can see cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor. The top of the pass bloom with rhododendrons in a variety of colours-pale pink, deep pink, burnt orange, mauve, white and scarlet.

Later in the day drive back to town. Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After early or packed breakfast, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will see you off and then bid you farewell.

As a few monuments in Thimpu remain closed on weekends and holidays, the left-over monuments shall be covered while returning from Punakha or on the day of arrival as per the flight