Welcome to Bhutan !

• The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers
  fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh and virgin mountain air.
• After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative outside the exit gate, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. An estimated 2-2.5 hour drive. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern
  development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
• Later in the day, take a leisurely stroll around the Thimphu Craft Bazaar,
  just a few minutes' walk from downtown hotels. This market features authentic Bhutanese arts and crafts, playing a vital role in promoting, protecting, and preserving traditional arts.

Experiences:

• Evening walk through the Thimphu Craft Bazaar

Travel Information:

• Flight from Delhi to Paro
• Transfer from Paro to Thimphu (approx. 2 to 2.5 hours)

Overnight: Bhutan Peaceful Residency & Spa or Similar

• After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Thimphu, city’s main attractions that includes: Royal Textile Museum (open between 09:00 am – 04:30 pm during summer and till 03:30 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving.
• National Library (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
• Institute for Zorig Chusum (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters, closed on weekends and govt. holidays): Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. (Zorig Chusum is an art school and is periodically closed for exams, summer and winter holidays, if it is closed on your scheduled sightseeing day, we shall replace it with visit to Zangthopelri Lhakhang)
• Simply Bhutan Museum: (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm) This privately owned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. The uniqueness of the structure is in its composition of the materials used. The structure is built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional and old demolished houses. The best
  part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people.
  Lunch followed by city tour that includes:

- Memorial Chorten (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm during summer and till 04:00 hrs. during winters): The stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly
regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the
monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

- Buddha Point or Kuensel Phodrang (open between 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
during summer and 09:00- 04:00 hrs. during winters): Located at a short drive
from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu
valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance
and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then
walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

- Changangkha Lhakhang: is one of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu
valley (open between 09:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm during
winters and 5:00 pm during summers). It was built in the 15th century by a
descendant of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, the man who spread the Sect
Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.

• Conclude the tour of the day with a visit of Trashichhoedzong (open on
  weekdays after 05:30 pm during summer and after 04:30 pm during winter and during weekends between 09:00 am - 05:00 pm during summer and 09:00 am - 04:00 pm during winter) , “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of
  Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of
  Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Experiences:

• Visit the Royal Textile Museum
• Visit the National Library
• Visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum
• Visit the Simply Bhutan Museum
• Visit the Memorial Chorten
• Visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang)
• Visit Changangkha Lhakhang
• Visit Trashichhoedzong

Travel Information:

• Full-day guided sightseeing in Thimphu

Optional Experience:

• Traditional Bhutanese Attire Experience (Gho & Kira)

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Bhutanese is their traditional dress.
Men wear the "Gho", a knee-length robe that is tied at the waist by a traditional belt known as a "Kera". Women wear the "Kira", a long, ankle-
length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket known as a "Tego", with an inner layer known as a "Wonju".

Overnight: Bhutan Peaceful Residency & Spa or Similar

• After breakfast, check-out from the hotel & drive to Punakha an estimated 3 – 3. 5 hours approx en route visit Dochula Pass (3150m) where on a clear day we can see views of the Himalayas
• Lunch can be packed from the hotel in Paro or can be eaten at the Dochula cafeteria.
• Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the magnificent dzong is situated on an island in the middle of the river. It is also the winter residence of the. Central monastic body. It is a climatically a warmer valley than Paro and Thimphu.
• This afternoon, we will visit the Punakha dzong and Short hike to Chimi Lhakhang where many go to pray for progeny.
• Punakha Dzong or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang "Palace of Great
  Happiness" is located on the confluence of two rivers (Phochu and Mochu). It was built in 1637 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal and following the ancient traditions, it serves as winter residence for chief abbot (Je-khenpo) and the monks of Central Monastic Body, who returns to Thimphu in the summer. The
  building was damaged and rebuilt several times, due to flooding, fire and earth quake. It is one exemplary masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture.
• Chimi Lhakhang: was built by lama Drukpa Kunley in 1499. He subdued the demoness of the Dochu la with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom.’ A wooden effigy of the Lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint. It’s a 20-minute walk across the rice fields from the road at Sopsokha to the
  temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana. There are very few monks at the temple, which is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and some very beautiful slate carvings. Overnight at hotel, Punakha.

Experience:

• Visit Dochula Pass
• Visit Punakha Dzong
• Short walk to Chimi Lhakhang

Travel Information:

• Drive from Thimphu to Punakha (approx. 3 to 3.5 hours)

Overnight: Zhingkham Resort or Similar

• After breakfast, continue your exploration of the beautiful Punakha Valley, known for its peaceful countryside, traditional villages, and spiritual landmarks.
• Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to the serene Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, beautifully perched on a ridge overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. Surrounded by pine forests and sweeping mountain views, the nunnery also serves as a learning and meditation centre for nuns, while preserving traditional Bhutanese arts such as embroidery, tailoring, statue making, and thangka painting.
• Continue onward to Talo Monastery, an important religious site set amid picturesque surroundings and closely associated with Bhutanese spiritual history and monastic traditions.
• Later, visit the elegant Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, one of the valley’s most scenic and spiritually significant landmarks. Set atop a ridge overlooking rice fields and the surrounding countryside, this beautifully constructed chorten was commissioned by the Queen Mother for the well-being and protection of Bhutan and its people.
• Reaching the chorten involves a rewarding uphill walk through the countryside, offering lovely views of the valley and a closer connection to Bhutan’s rural landscape.
• For those interested, there is also the possibility of visiting a traditional Bhutanese village or enjoying additional countryside walks and village trails, depending on time and interest.

Experiences:

• Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
• Visit Talo Monastery
• Visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Travel Information:

• Full-day guided sightseeing in Punakha

Overnight: Zhingkham Resort or Similar

• After breakfast, check-out and drive from Punakha to Paro an estimated 4-5 hours. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
• PARO lies at an altitude of 2280m above sea level. Before the construction of roads most of Bhutan's trade came through Paro either from Tibet via Tremo la or from the south via Haa. Paro valley extends from Jumolhari on the Tibetan border to Chuzom which is the confluence of the Thimphu and Punakha rivers.
• Start the tour with a visit the Paro Dzong: The correct name of the Dzong is Rinchen Pung Dzong which means fortress on a heap of jewels. The Dzong was built in 1646 by Shabdung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly.
• Later visit the National museum, is located above the Paro Dzong in the ancient circular watchtower. The museum consists of six floors dealing with different aspects of Bhutanese culture. The museum also houses a great collection of Thangkhas (embroidered or painted religious hangings). The Tshogshing Lhakhang (the temple of the tree of wisdom) is also located in the museum. You can then walk down to the Paro Dzong for a visit, the correct name of the Dzong is Rinchen Pung Dzong which means fortress on a heap of jewels.
• Lunch will be at a local guest house in the Paro town market as per guests discretion.
• In the afternoon you will visit the Choeten Lhakhang, a monastery situated in the centre of the town and is built in the traditional Bhutanese style. Dumtse Lhakhang is a temple believed to have flown from Tibet and is hence held by chains to the ground.
• In the early evening you can take a stroll with your guide around Paro town to see the local life in Bhutan. The town is situated right below the Dzong. Near the bridge are chortens (or prayer shrines) situated alongside the Ugyen Pelri palace.
• You can either have dinner at a local restaurant or drive back to the hotel for the dinner.

Experiences:

• Visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong)
• Visit the National Museum of Bhutan
• Visit Choeten Lhakhang
• Visit Dumtse Lhakhang

Travel Information:
• Drive from Punakha to Paro (approx. 4 to 5 hours)

Overnight: Tashi Namgay Resort Or Similar

• Today you will be taken on the excursion/hike to Tiger’s Nest.
• The Tiger's Nest Monastery is built on the site where Guru Padmasambhava is reputed to have flown to on the back of a Tiger. The monastery is a revered site for the Bhutanese. The walk up to the viewpoint takes roughly two hours and is an uphill climb through alpine forests. Lunch can be eaten on the trail or at the cafeteria, which provides a good view of the monastery. The monastery was partially destroyed in a forest, though restoration works are almost complete. The local people have provided the labour for restoration. Bhutanese believe that participating in the restoration of holy places helps in the accumulation of good merit.
• Your guide will also take you to the lesser know sites - Dumtse Lhakhang; this unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth, heaven and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang: It is one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism.
• Drive back to the hotel after the hike and relax for the rest of the day.
• Dinner in the hotel

Experience:

• Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang)
• Visit Dumtse Lhakhang
• Visit Kyichu Lhakhang

Optional Experience:

• Pony ride from the parking area to the first viewpoint

Travel Information:
• Excursion and hike in Paro

Overnight: Tashi Namgay Resort Or Similar

After breakfast the guests will be escorted to the Paro airport to board the flight for their onward journey.