Day 1 → Arrive in Paro
Transfer to airport for flight to Paro, your introduction to our enchanting kingdom begins on a flight over the Himalayas into the lush green valley of Paro; truly one of the world’s most spectacular sights. During your flight, you will view the world’s highest peaks of the Himalayas and enjoy the view of the approaching Paro valley with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples and cozy farms nestled in splendid mountain isolation. On arrival to Paro you will be received by our representative, your English speaking tour guide, and driven to the boutique hotel. After lunch we will drive to Paro valley for sightseeing.
Activities include:
National Museum : The National Museum (Ta Dzong) overlooks the Paro Valley, and was once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into a National Museum in 1968. It has many national treasures and a visit to the Museum will provide an excellent introduction to Bhutan and its history.
Paro Dzong: This Dzong is a 17th century fortress and is today tthe seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. The Dzong was built in 1645 A. Stroll through Paro town overnight at Hotel
Day 2 → Paro to Thimpu
Drive to Thimphu, the quaint capital city of Bhutan. The beautiful drive From Paro to Thimphu takes about an hour, following the Paro River through evergreen forests its confluence. Spend the day exploring the cultural and history around Thimpu.
Activities Include:
Tamchog Lhakhang (temple) which has an iron chain bridge cast in the 14th century,
Kuenselphodrang where the world’s biggest Buddha statue is built overlooking the valley.
Thimphu Trashichhodzong, important Central Secretariat of the Government
Memorial Chorten where many locals come for Prayers.
The Arts and Craft school (Zorig Chusum)
Overnight : Boutique Hotel in Thimpu
Day 3 → Thimpu Valley Sightseeing
Hiking to Cheri Goemba monastery Drive 30 minutes to Dodena and hike about 40 minute through beautiful forest trails to Cheri Monastery built in 1620. Cheri monastery is one of the main retreat centres and a popular pilgrimage site in the country. You can see a beautiful painting of Guru on the solid rock Picnic lunch will be served near the river bank near wooden bridge
After Lunch, activities include:
Pangri Zampa Astrological college
Traditional Medicine Centre which includes thousands of years of herbal medicine
Takin Zoo (National Animal of Bhutan). Walk the trails through the Takin Zoo as you experience calm nature and some unusual wildlife.
Day 4 → Thimpu to Punakha Valley
Drive to Punakha (77 Km/3 hours). En route, stop at Dochula Pass (3,150 m.) Enjoy a spectacular view of the ranges of the eastern Himalayas if the sky is clear. We will also come across 108 stupas that lend the place an air of deep spirituality. Then drive down to Lobesa village to see the Temple of Fertility dedicated to the 15th century Buddhist master and iconoclast Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the Divine Madman. Today, the temple is visited by barren couples to receive the blessings of fertility from a 15th century wooden phallus.
After lunch, visit the historically significant Punakha Dzong, a magnificent castle-fortress that served as the old capital of Bhutan. It is considered the best specimen of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1637 on the confluence of the Pho Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river), this is the hallowed ground where the Kings of Bhutan are crowned and the head of Buddhism in Bhutan (Chief Abbot) resides in the winter.
After our Punakha Dzon visit, experience an authentic Bhutanese home stay as you chat with your gracious host to learn about simple, rural life in Bhutan. This afternoon we will learn cooking and and will partake in authentic Bhutanese cuisine that can not be experienced in restaurants or hotels. Other home stay activities include learning about sustainable farm practices, enjoying a hot-stone bath, and sleeping in rammed earth tradtional home. The hot stone bath is a great way to soak away your worries as you relax in a therapeutic bath that will complete a satisfying day in the comfort of your farmhouse stay.
Day 5 → Punakha Valley Sightseeing
After a typical Bhutanese breakfast, experience local life as we jump into in farm house activities, hot stone baths, darts, archery and sustainable agriculture.
Village hiking to Nubgang
After lunch, we drive to Nubgang village and hike down towards home to stay through villages with its quaint farming activities and the rural life in general. You can view the magnificent Punakha Dzong from this hike.
Overnight at Home stay.
Day 6 → Punakha - Phobjekha Valley
Drive to Phobjekha takes about less the 2-hour crossing over the Gangtey Pass (3140 m), and then drop into the Phobjikha Valley. The Phobjikha Valley is one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes (grus nigri collies.) Each year in winter, the birds migrate from Tibet and Siberia. Visit the 16th century Gangtey Goempa monastery overlooking the valley.
Phobjekha Nature hike
The hike starts below Gangtey Gompa near Mani wall chorten, first part of the walk is downhill F through the pine forest with the view of main Phobjekha valley where the Crane feeds in winter. Come across Khewa village located in the middle of the Potato fields and Meadow. Visit the old Khewa Lhakhang built in 14th century. Your spent some time meditating inside the temple Lunch at the lodge After lunch : Visit Crane information’s centre to see the Crane preservation Project, They have a nice display on community and RSPN working together to preserve the Crane. Overnight: Guest house
Day 7 → Pobjekha to Paro
We retrace our journey today, back to Paro via Thimphu, where we will stop for lunch. En-route to Paro visit Dobji Dzong one of oldest Dzong built in Bhutan. You can visit the holy water site, known to be medicinal.
Evening checks in the hotel for overnight.
Day 8 → Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike
Taktshang “Tiger’s Nest” Day Hike
Today, we go to a place that has become a must for every visitor to Bhutan – the hike up to the “Tiger’s Nest” or Taktshang monastery. This religious edifice, about 800 meters above the Paro valley floor, is built on a dizzying ledge of a gigantic granite cliff that hangs on a mountainside. As to how it could have been constructed in the 17th century remains a mystery; a story has it that celestial nymphs (Khandromas) aided in its construction.
It was here that Padmasambhava, an eighth century master who is considered to be the second Buddha in the Himalayan Buddhist world, mediated and concealed religious teachings for the future generations.
Afternoon on the way back from Taktsang hike, Visit Drugyal Dzong “Fortress of Victory” Dzong beautifully rebuilt after many years in ruins. From here, we can see the snow-clad Mount Jumolhari (Abode of Goddess Jumo, alt. 7,329 m), one of the most sacred and beautiful peaks in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight Hotel
Day 9 → Depart Paro
After breakfast, transfer to Airport for Departure abroad as per your schedule sector.