Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Welcome to the land of happiness, also known as Druk Yul (country of the Drukpa Lineage,
the Dragon People, or the Land of the Thunder Dragon.) Upon arrival at the Paro
International Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver,
who will be accompany you throughout the tour.
You will drive to Thimphu (capital city, 1hr drive). On the way, we will stop for a short
sightseeing at Tamchog lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint from Tibet called
Thangtong Gyalpo in 13 th century.)
After reaching Thimphu, check in, rest for awhile and then go try your first Bhutanese
cuisine at Folk Heritage.
Then visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum; (Commonly known as ‘the painting
school’, operates four to six years courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13
traditional arts.)
After that, visit Memorial Chorten (built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated
to World Peace.)
Buddha Point (one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 54 meters/177ft)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952.
Day 2: Thimphu
Today we will be visiting the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress to ever build in the
country by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal) Legend says that it was built to imprison a
demon that was terrorizing the junction of the eastern and western path. The first fortress
of its kind, it features beautiful Buddhist paintings and carvings.)
Changangkha Lhakhang (It was first built by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo(12-13
century) the founder of Drukpa Kagyu school in Bhutan.)
Takin Preservation Centre (located in the Mothitang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a
wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan.)
Lunch will be at Simply Bhutan (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
After that you will go visit Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles
museum)
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory; You will witness the art of Bhutanese papermaking.
Centenary Farmers’ Market Farmers from the nearby village come here to sell
agricultural products and handmade crafts to the locals.
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Today you will be driving to Punakha district (the old capital of Bhutan till 1985). In the
morning you will be driving pass the Dochula Pass (Elevation 3100m) there you will stop
for a short sightseeing for about 30minutes. Then you will drive down at the elevation of
1300m and reach Punakha.
Before Punakha, you will first visit the Chimi lhakhang (Temple of the famous saint mad
man Drukpa Kinley)
Then have a lunch at a local traditional restaurant.
Punakha Dzong (also known as Punthang Dechenphodrang, Legend says that
Zhabdrung made the carpenter trulpizow balep made to sleep in chamber and he had been
taken to paradise /zangtopelri of Guru Rinpoche and he got at the sketch and the model of
the dzong.)
Visit to the long suspension bridge in Punakha.
Day 4: Punakha – Gangtey/Phobjikha
Today you will drive to Gangtey. (It’s a beautiful vast U-shape valley which is a winter
residence of the famous endangered bird called “The Black Necked Crane”. They come
down from the Tibetan Plateau to Phobjikha valley during winter season and fly back
during summer season.)
Before that, you will first do a small hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Built by
the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. This beautifully designed
chorten took nine years to complete, using only religious scriptures to construct the four-
story temple. Have to hike for 40minutes through the paddy fields and vegetable fields, into
the chir pine forest.)
Lunch will be at Nobding village. (Right next to Gangtey)
After reaching Gangtey, you will directly go towards the Nature Trail, walk around the
Phobjikha valley. Later you can check in and enjoy the beautiful valley of Phobjikha.
Day 5: Gangtey- Paro
Today, you will be traveling to Paro for half a day. (Approximately it will take
around 5 hours)
Before that, get up early and start visiting the two sights.
Gangtey Goenpo. (Generally known as Gangtey Monastery, is an important
monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism built in 17 th century.)
Visit the Black Necked Crane center after that.
Then start off with your journey towards Paro.
Later you can enjoy walking around the town and also you can go see the village
side of Paro, how the typical Bhutanese people live in a traditional lifestyle.
Day 6: Paro
Today you will travel back to Paro. It will approximately take 3 hours 30 minutes.
After reaching there, you will check in your hotel, get freshen up and do a small sightseeing
around Paro. You will first visit;
National museum / Ta Dzong / Watch tower. (Ta Dzong actually means a watch tower to
look after the province of Paro valley and served as a regional administrator as well as a
store house which would ensure supplies in the event of warfare.)
Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (It was built by Gyalchog (brother of Gyalzom) the family of
lama Pha Dung Dung in 15 centuries. He surrendered himself to the local deity Jawang Nep
and built a 5 storied building and named as Hungrel Gampo.)
Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. The first temple was built by
a 1 st Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7 th century.)
Farmhouse to see how the authentic Bhutanese culture is during the old days.
Later you can stroll around the village side and experience the authentic culture of Bhutan.
Lunch will be at a local tourist restaurant.
Day 7: Tiger’s Nest Paro
This is optional for you since it’s one of the short hikes but a tough one since you need to
hike up for 2 hours with almost steep slopes. Usually all tour ends by doing this hike since
it’s the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro,” Tiger’s Nest”. The cave on the rock was
there before 750 million years ago during the formation of the earth. It was only known
after the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in 746 A.D.
You can also visit Drukgyel Dzong which is located a bit feather from the tiger’s nest. This
one you don’t have to hike but a walking distance from the roadside.
Drukgyel Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the
upper part of the Paro District, Bhutan. The dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in
1649 at the behest of Ngawang Namgyal, Zhabdrung Rinpoche, to commemorate victory
over an invasion from Tibet.
Day 8: Departure from Bhutan
Our guide and driver will bid farewell to you all and have a pleasant flight back home. We
will be looking forward to seeing you again in future for another place to tour around.
Thank You & Tashi Delek!