Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning in time transfer to airport to board the flight for Paro - The flight to Paro is
one
of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. The journey offers fascinating views and an
exciting
descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be
cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will
be
met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. On
arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of
government,
religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development
alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the
world’s
only capital city without a traffic light. Later in the day take a short drive towards northern
end of town to visit Changangkha Lhakhang: It is a fortress like temple and monastic school
perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century
on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is
Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads. From temple courtyard, there is fascinating view of
Thimphu valley. Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and market area. Dinner
and
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of city’s main attractions that includes:
Textile Museum (Closed on Sunday and Government Holiday): is worth a visit to get
to
know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques,
styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men.
National Library (Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Government Holiday): 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 (Closed on Sunday and Government Holiday): 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.
Simply Bhutan Museum (Closed on Sunday and Government Holiday): The newly
commissioned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to
modernization. The uniqueness of the structure is in its composition of the materials used. The
structure is built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional
and
old demolished houses. The best part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the
Bhutanese
people.
Lunch followed by city tour that includes:
Memorial Chorten: 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 Point (Kuensel Phodrang). 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. Conclude the tour of the day with a visit of
Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and
religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by
the
political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in
1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Dinner and
Overnight
at the hotel in Thimphu
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning 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. After checking into hotel, proceed to visit
Punakha Dzong, 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 (from hotel it is about 15 minutes drive till motorable
road
and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1.1/2 hour walk,
including both way) The Chimi Lhakhang, 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 Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of river.
Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery: Perched on a ridge amid pine
trees
and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of
Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang(Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of
Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru
Padmasambawa,
Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of
longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of
entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning
and
meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill
training
such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.
Lunch at the hotel
Afternoon hike up through fields of chilies, cabbages to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten,
which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the
changing
world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu
and
up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning 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, the place of profound tantric teaching,
this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.
After checking into hotel. Lunch at the hotel
Later proceed to Paro festival venue to witness Paro Tshechu
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike): 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 recognised 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 splendour. On the way back to town stop at
Drukgyel Dzong (visit from outside), a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan
invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen
in
all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. Along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu
Lhakhang, 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.
Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.
Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Early Breakfast at the hotel
Morning in time transfer to airport to board the flight for Delhi, meeting and assistance
on
arrival at Delhi airport and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon half day sightseeing of Delhi visiting Qutub Minar and Gurudwara (The Sikh
Temple)
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi
You can cancel your trip 24 hours before the trip, without any cancellation charges!
Yes, you can book your tour in advance. You will get instant confirmation of your booking whether you pre-pay or if you opt for payment on arrival as a payment method.
Yes, we accept last-minute bookings.
You can Pay via PayPal, Credit Card & also in Cash on Arrival.
Pick-up timings are from 07:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Pick-up and drop-off are available from your hotel or airport anywhere in New Delhi/Noida/Gurugram as per your convenience.
In a Private Tour, no other guest will join your Private Air Conditioned Car.