Day 1: August 31st Arrival in Paro
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of Thunder Dragon. After landing at Paro international Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver when you exit the airport. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize to the altitude since most of the guests won’t feel comfortable with the climate in our country.
After that, you will slowly drive to Thimphu (Capital City) which will take around 1 hour approximately. On the way, you will start with a short sightseeing at Tamchog Lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint from Tibet called Thangtong Gyalpo in 13th century.) Then you will drive to Thimphu. Check in your hotel and lets have your first taste of our Bhutanese traditional cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu.
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles museum)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Day 2: October 1st Thimphu
After having breakfast, you will go for a hike at Dodeydrak Buddhist Institution (The place is called Dodeydrak, literally meaning ‘the cave of sutra’ as the trace of the extraction of the sutra can be seen at the entrance of the Tsuglakhang. The Tsuglakhang was established by H.H the 13th Je Khenpo Kyabje Yonten Thaye in 1779 and was later extended by the 18th Druk Desi Jigme Singye.)
Lunch will be at a local restaurant in the city.
After that, you will be visiting the Memorial Chorten (Built in the year 1974).
The Changangkha Lhakhang (built in 12 century).
Centenary Farmers’ Market Farmers from the nearby village come here to sell agricultural products and handmade crafts to the locals. (Weekend market)
Rest at the hotel or stroll around the city.
Day 3: October 2nd Punakha
After breakfast, you will first visit After that you will go visit 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.)
Then you will start moving to Punakha. While going to Punakha, you will need to go across the Dochula Pass (3100m). Over there you will stop for a short sightseeing and tea break, while having tea, you can also see the beautiful Himalayas across.
After that, you will then descend down towards Punakha at the elevation of 1242 m.
Before Punakha, you will first enter lobesa where you will visit Chimi Lhakhang (Madman’s temple) and also you can enjoy a short hike through the village and enjoy your lunch there at a local Bhutanese restaurant.
After that, you will then visit Punakha Dzong (fortress of glorious religion. It’s 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)
At the end, visit the long suspension bridge in Punakha. (Approximately 160m wide)
Check-in hotel and rest.
Day 4: October 3rd Paro
Today you will first go for a short 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.
Then there is an option for you guys after the hike, you can do rafting from the bridge towards the Punakha Dzong.
Lunch will be at a local tourist restaurant.
After that, you will then travel to Paro. It will take 3hours to reach Paro.
Get checked in after you reach Paro and then you can stroll around the town and buy souvenirs.
Day 5: October 4th Paro
Today you will do the Bumdra trek.
Day 6: October 5th Paro
Bumdra Trek.
Day 7: October 6th Tiger’s Nest Paro
Today you will be visiting the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro, the 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. Later the monastery was constructed in the year 1692.
Day 8: October 7th Paro
Today 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.)
Lunch will be at a local restaurant to experience the traditional style of Bhutanese cuisine.
Then visit Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. There are three temples built by a very renowned person with different dates. The first temple was built by a 1st Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. He has built a 108 structure in a Himalayan region to ogress the evil spirits and out of those two temples was now in Bhutan and they are Kichu lhakhang in Paro and Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.)
Drukgyel Dzong, Drukgyel meaning “the fortress of the victorious Drukpas” is located in Phondey village in Paro.
History has it that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built the dzong to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces in 1649. However, some people say it might have been built by Tenzin Drukdra, the second Desi at the behest of Zhabdru
Day 9: October 8th 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!