DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO, DRIVE TO THIMPHU (1hr)
If you are lucky, you’ll have glorious views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro (Try and get the left hand seat for better view of the Himalayas). The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring beginning to your adventure.
Take a drive to Thimphu following Pa Chhu downstream. Drive on to the Buddha point to have an outlook of the city and for a stunning view of the valley. This is one of the largest Buddha statue in world measuring about 51.5m.later take a visit to Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose!
Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before visiting the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Brush shoulders with the everyday Bhutanese grocery shopping for local produce at the Market and also see the new authentic craft bazaar (Close on Tue) of 80 stalls showcasing works by artisans from rural areas will showcase.
Take a fascinating tour of the training facility of the Institute of Traditional Arts and crafts where they train students in thirteen different arts and crafts. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. (Both open Mon-Fri).
Overnight Thimphu (Alt; 2320m).
DAY 02: THIMPHU-PUNAKHA
After breakfast, we will drive about 3 hours to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3140m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. The pass is adorned with 108 stupas which adds up to the beauty of the place!
From the pass, we begin descending through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favourite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Enjoy some tea and snacks at the end of hike while overlooking the fields.
In the afternoon, we visit Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), the Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country.
Overnight Punakha/Wangdue (Alt; 1300m).
DAY 03: PUNAKHA-PARO
Today you head back to Paro, it’s about 4hrs drive form Punakha re-crossing Dochu La. Arrive Paro for lunch. After lunch visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress built on the heap of jewels) in 17th century by the great spiritual leader Zhabdrung. Also visit national museum which show cases different masks and wall hangings (thangka). Later visit Kyichu lhakhang built in 7th century by the Tibetan Buddhist king. This temple is one of the oldest in the country. Evening leisurely walk around Paro town.
Overnight Paro (Alt; 2280m).
DAY 04: MYSTICAL QUEST TO TIGER’S NEST (3050m)
After a wholesome breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten and spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley, and from your closest vantage point on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will still need 200-300 mm lenses and a steady tripod to get tight photographs.
This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places. But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations started pouring in from Buddhist centres all over the world, and today, the magnificently rebuilt exterior is complete. Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, “Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Picnic lunch on the hillside cafeteria. (The hike demands a certain level of fitness and a pony ride till the cafeteria can be arranged at additional cost).
Evening, visit a typical village home for a traditional Bhutanese style dinner accompanied by the local liquor called “Ara” (tastes somewhat like the Japanese Sake). Then luxuriate in the Bhutanese equivalent of a Jacuzzi called a “dho Tso.” River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub with herbs but be mindful the facilities are quite basic. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing. Overnight Paro (Alt; 2280m)
DAY 05: DEPART PARO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Tour package cost is inclusive of the following:
- Royalty and taxes of the government
- Entrance fees to various museums
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis ( 3 star hotel approved by TCB )
- Meals ( breakfast, lunch & dinner )
- Licensed English speaking tour guide
- Ground transportation within Bhutan
- Camping equipment and gears for the trekking
- Ponies and pack animals on trek
Tour package does NOT include the following:
- One time US$ 40 (visa fee for single entry)
- Flight fare
- Refreshment, any alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and any other personal expenses
- Travel Insurance (Must for Trekking)
- US$ 30/Night, single room supplement charge for 2 Pax and above
- Luxury star hotels and resorts available at an additional cost
- Luxury camping/trekking can be arranged at an additional cost
- Gratuities to guide, driver, trekking staff, etc.
- Specialized guides (Foreign Language, Photography, Bird Watching, Buddhism, Flora and Fauna) available at an additional cost
