Highlights Of Bhutan

Day 1: Arrive Paro Bhutan

Fly into Paro by DrukAir flight (Royal Bhutan Airline) or Bhutan Airlines. After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by the representative of Bhutan Travel Services to Thimphu.

On arrival at Thimphu, check into your hotel and after refreshment visit the following places:

Kuensel Phodrangwhere the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.

Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969.It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu – Punakha – Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.

Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal which is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”.

Depart Punakha late afternoon for your transfer westwards to the Paro Valley, once again traversing Dochu La, and arriving in Paro town on time to stroll around Paro ancient market.Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 3:A Hike to Paro TaktshangMonastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½ hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 4: Departure from Paro Bhutan

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and your tour guide from Bhutan Travel Services will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.