4N 5D - Signature Amazing Bhutan Tour

After breakfast, we will drive for about 2 hours to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3100m. 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. Punakha is the former Capital of the kingdom and at present day hosts the administrative seat of the district. Also, the winter residence of the central monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and Female River. It was built in 1637 AD It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan's first king was crowned.

Overnight Punakha (Alt;1300m)

Today you head back to Paro, it’s about 4hrs drive from Punakha re-crossing Dochu La. Arrive Paro for lunch. Afterlunch 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)

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)

Druk Air normally departs in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged depending on the flight schedule.