An Introduction

Take this off the beaten path tour to discover serene monasteries, spectacular dzongs (fortresses) and awesome valleys and experience the traditional way of life of this mystic land.

Journey Highlights

• Marvel at the spectacular natural beauty of Dochula offering 360 degree view of eastern Himalayas
• Experience Bhutanese culture at Punakha Dzong
• Hike to Bhutan’s holiest monastery – The Tigers Nest

  Arrive Paro – Thimphu (Approx. 65 kms / 2 hours)

Arrive at Paro International Airport.

After arrival, proceed to the immigration counter. Complete immigration formalities and you will meet your chauffeur/ guide outside the airport terminal.

You will proceed to Thimphu.

Thimphu - is the capital and the largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Thimphu is the political and economic hub of Bhutan. The city is located on the bank of River Wang Chuu. Thimphu contains most of the important political buildings in Bhutan, including the National Assembly of the newly formed parliamentary democracy and the residence of the King. Thimphu holds a fascinating four-day festival, held every year during autumn (September/ October).

Arrive at Thimphu and check-in to your hotel.

Later proceed for a short sightseeing of Thimphu.
(Sightseeing on this day won’t be possible if the flight arrival time is after 2 pm)

Memorial Chorten - On the western side of Thimphu's Memorial Chorten, a row of wooden platforms are placed in the long grass. Each has been polished smooth by the prostrations of faithful worshippers who gather here in the sun, rain and snow, to pay their respects to His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), the third King of Bhutan. The Chorten, with its elaborate golden peak representing the crescent moon and sun, is one of Thimphu's most striking religious landmarks. Constructed in 1974, the Tibetan-style chorten's whitewashed exterior boasts richly decorated chapels - one facing each of the cardinal directions.

  Thimphu

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Thimphu.

Kuensel Phodrang – The statue was cast in bronze in China and transported by sea and road to this site which was once occupied by the palace of Druk Desi, a secular ruler of Bhutan in the eighteenth-century. At its completion, the statue will contain 125,000 gilded Buddha statues and a wealth of other statuary.

Takin Reserve & Mini Zoo - Hidden in a fold of the forest-draped hills high above Thimphu, a herd of takin make their home in the Mothithang Takin Preserve. Formerly a small zoo, the king decreed that the animals should be freed rather than kept in captivity. However, instead of wandering deeper into the hills, the tame takin took to the streets of Thimphu, where they became a traffic hazard as they foraged for food.

AnimDratshang (Nunnery) - On a hillside above Thimphu's Tashichho Dzong, just off Gaden Lam, stands Thangtong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery. Home to around 60 nuns, the modest structure was built in 1976 by the 16th incarnation of ThangtongGyelpo, the famed fifteenth-century "Iron Bridge Monk" who forged chain-link bridges that still span several of Bhutan's fast-flowing rivers. The road to the nunnery offers magnificent views of Tashichho Dzong, while the small complex houses a covered chorten and an unusual pillar topped with two carved deer (symbolic of the Deer Park at Sarnath, where Buddha first taught after his enlightenment) and a wheel of law.

Folk Heritage Museum - The Folk Heritage Museum, located on the outskirts of Thimphu, recreates a traditional Bhutanese family home inside a beautiful 19th century rammed earth and timber building. Here, the family's prized possessions are on display: shiny wooden bowls line the kitchen shelves, richly patterned fabrics hang alongside aged leopard fur bags in the room next door, and gold glints from thangkas hung in the family's altar room.

Royal Textile Academy & Museum - Intricately patterned wild silk kiras from Lhuentse hang alongside rough nettle fibrer cloth from Zhemgang in Bhutan's excellent Royal Textile Academy. The museum, housed in an impressive modern building, celebrates the country's vibrant and varied tradition of hand weaving. From the towering applique thangka that overlooks the entrance hall and the sumptuous garments on display in the Royal Gallery to mannequins dressed in simple herders' clothing from Laya, the museum offers an unparalleled chance to learn about and appreciate this unique aspect of Bhutanese culture.

Handicrafts Market – is an interesting market with local items and handicraft goods at bargain prices.

Tashichho Dzong - Standing proudly on the western bank of the Wang Chhu a few kilometrers north of central Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong looks every inch the seat of government. While the National Assembly no longer convenes inside the fortress's whitewashed walls, today the dzong still houses the throne room and the king's offices as well as the ministries of home affairs and finance.

  Thimphu – Punakha (Approx.120 kms / 4 hours with en-route stop)

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to Punakha.

En-route visit Dochu La - A mountain pass leading further into the Punakha Valley. It offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquillity of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Enjoy lunch at newly open restaurant Druk Wangyel Cafe.

Arrive at Punakha and check-in to the hotel.

  Punakha

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Punakha.

Chimi Lhakhang - Built in 1499, Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kunley, a sage revered in Bhutan for his unorthodox teachings and his use of a "flaming thunderbolt" to fight evil. While Chimi Lhakhang marks the spot where Drukpa Kunley defeated and buried a much-feared demoness, today the hilltop lhakhang is visited by expectant mothers and families with newborn babies to pray for their children's health. Kindly note that a walk of about 45 minutes has to be undertaken to reach this.

Suspension Bridge - Behind Punakha Dzong stretches the Punakha Suspension Bridge, the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages on the other bank of the Po Chhu river -- Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha -- where traces of the Divine Madman Drukpa Kuenley can still be found, in the form of local stories, monasteries and markings on rocks.

Punakha Dzong - Visitors approach the dzong over a long cantilever bridge that spans the Mo Chhu and up a steep flight of wooden steps. The first dochey or courtyard houses Punakha dzongkhag's government offices, with darkened passages leading south around the six-story utse to the monastic quarters that line the second courtyard. The utse contains Bhutan's holiest relic, an image of Chenrezig (the bodhisattva of compassion) that the Zhabdrung brought to Bhutan from Tibet — although this is not on public display.

Return back to the hotel.

  Punakha – Paro (Approx. 150 kms / 4.5 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will travel to Paro.

Arrive at Paro by the afternoon and proceed for a brief sightseeing trip of Paro.

Paro – The valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom upto Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border in the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered with fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering through the valley.

Drukgyel Dzong – The smoke-smudged walls of Drukgyel Dzong's four-story utse (central tower) still stand intact among the surrounding ruins. Located at the head of the Paro Valley, the once-magnificent Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1649 and stood along a major route into Tibet for three centuries until it burned to the ground in 1951. The dzong's name, which translates as “Bhutan's Victory,” commemorates a 1644 defeat of Tibetan forces in this region. Today, a narrow path spirals up towards the dzong past the collapsed remains of a walled passage that once secured the dzong's water supply. Go through the gate to access a courtyard paved with flagstones, once used for festivals. Beyond this lies the main body of the dzong, where wild strawberries and herbs sprout among the rubble.

Kyichu Lakhang – When it was divined that a demoness was preventing the spread of Buddhism, the great seventh-century Tibetan king SongtsenGampo pinned her in place with 108 magically constructed temples -- allowing Buddhism to flourish above her restrained body. One of Bhutan's two ancient demoness-pinning temples, Paro's Kyichu Lhakhang is believed to hold the demoness's left foot in place. With its tiered roof and luminous white walls, the lhakhang's age is not immediately apparent. It is only inside the monastery's ancient shrine, the Jowo Lhakhang, that the sanctuary's long history is palpable. Golden murals shine faintly from smoke-darkened walls, and the floor has been polished smooth by the feet of countless faithful practitioners. The holiest part of the chapel surrounds the revered seventh-century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, visible through a gilded door.

Ta Dzong – National Museum of Bhutan

  Paro

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to visit the famous Tiger Nest.

Tiger Nest - From a distance, Bhutan's most iconic building seems to float, weightless, halfway up a sheer cliff-face, 900 meters (3,000 feet) above the floor of the Paro Valley. As you wind your way breathlessly up the long, steep path towards Taktsang Lhakhang, the monastery periodically reveals itself, rising out of the forest, closer and more solid with each re-appearance.

  Paro

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to visit Chele La Pass.

Chele La Pass: the highest point on Bhutan’s Dantak roads, crests at 3988 meters (roughly 13,000 feet) above sea level. The bright yellow sign marking its location stands next to a traditional stone fireplace and stove, a Buddhist prayer wheel marked with a quote advocating kindness, and a small hut and seating area.

Return back to the hotel.

  Depart Paro

Breakfast at the hotel.

(For early flights, there will be no breakfast)

After breakfast, proceed to the airport to board your flight back to home.