The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our tour representatives will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After the arrival you will travel towards Thimphu.

Distance: 54 Km | Driving Time: 1 hour

On the way to Thimphu, You will cross The iron chain bridge might look frightening at first, but once you start crossing it, it becomes very fun-This will be just be a small break to familiarize you with the weather outside.

Thimphu’s Weekend market

After your arrival to Thimphu, you will check into the hotel and rest for few hours. Owards the evening you will explore the weekend market which is highly recommended to travelers who want to experience the local Bhutanese way of life. The weekend market is located in a set of stall of both side of the Wang Chhu River. The market essentially is a farmers market, where every week vendors from throughout the region start arriving by Thursday evening and stay at the market till Sunday.  It is interesting to see the well-heeled and well to do residents of the city jostle with the common folk for the freshest produce of the region.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

After breakfast you will visit TashiChoe Dzong to withness the festival (Tsechu).

After having lunch you will visit:

Kuensel Phodrang

The Kuensel Phodrang or the Buddha point is the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, the statue is 167 feet high. The statue is situated on top of a hill overlooking the city of Timphu, it can be accessed by road and is about 15 minutes away from the city’s center.

The statue is constructed out of bronze and is studded with many semi-precious stones. Since they are no factories in country that can make such a large bronze cast structure, statute is being manufactured in China and the pieces are brought to Bhutan and are assembled here. On the drive to the statue the steep winding hill road offers an unparalleled view of the city of Thimphu and is an excellent place to capture a view of the city.

National memorial chorten

The National Memorial was built by Bhutan’s third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is

also known as the “father of modern Bhutan.” He wanted to erect a monument carrying the

message of world peace and prosperity. However, he was unable to give shape to his idea in his

lifetime due to pressures of state and other regal responsibilities. After his untimely demise in

1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that

would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to eternal peace, harmony and

tranquility.

The National Memorial Chorten was gifted to the nation on 28 July, 1974. The exquisite wall paintings and the delicately carved statues reflect deep insights into Buddhist spirituality and a rich tradition of prayer and learning.

The National Memorial Chorten is known as the „most visible religious landmark in Bhutan‟.

The Chorten was consecrated by His Holiness, the Late Dudjorn Rinpoche. Unlike other Stupas the Chorten is not a shrine for the mortal of the late King. The Chorten on contains a photograph of the King in full ceremonial attire. The King had intend for the Choten to be “a Chorten that represents the mind of Bhuddha”

• Overnight stay in hotel.

After breakfast you will visit TashiChoe Dzong to withness the festival (Tsechu).

After having lunch you will visit:

National institute of zorig chusum

The art and crafts currently taught in Bhutan, were introduced to the country in the 15th century by Trenton Pema Lingpa. Trenton Pema Lingpa also known as the Great Treasure National Institute for Zorig Chusum – Discoverer is credited to have introduced these art forms to the people of Bhutan. These traditional crafts are a representation of the centuries of knowledge and ability that was been handed down to master craftsmen and artisan through each generation. Bhutan’s unique artistic tradition has played a vital role in shaping the countries distinct culture and heritage.

Zilukha Nunnery

Drubthob Gonpa/Zilukha Nunnery once belonged to the Drubthob (Realized one) Thang Thong Gyalpo often referred to as The King of the open field. In the early 15th century with his multiple talents he popularly became the Leonardo da Vinci of the Great Himalayas. The place also has a great view of the majestic, Tashi Chhoe Dzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion) and government cottages nearby. A golf course spans much of the district flanking the lower eastern part.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

Dochula Pass:

We will do a stopover at Dochula pass (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. The Dochu La Pass is probably the best known mountain pass in Bhutan. Located at an altitude of 3150 meter above sea level, the Dochu La Pass is about 30 kilometer away from the capital city Thimphu and the road to Punakha.

On a clear day the pass offers visitors a spectacular view of the majestic eastern Himalayan Ranges. A cup of hot coffee or tea at the pass has almost become part of tradition for people travelling to and fro from Punakha to the capital city.

Another striking feature at the pass are the 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens that were built for the well-being of all sentiment beings on earth. The 108 Chorten were built as a tribute to the Kings of Bhutan for their selfless service and leadership they offer to the people of Bhutan.

Chimi Lhakhang temple

The Chimi Lhakang or the Chimel Lhakang is a Bhuddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. The monastery stands on a small hill close to the village of Lobesa and was constructed in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14thDrukpaheirarch.

The Temple is very deeply connected to the legends of Saint Drukpa Kinley also known as the Devine Madman. It has been said that the demon of Dochu-La with a magic thunderbolt of wisdom in imprisoned him in a rock close to the temple. Drukpa Kuenley is called the Divine Madman due to his unorthodox methods of teaching via songs, humor and sometimes bizarre and shocking behavior with deep sexual overtones. You might be shocked to see that the temple houses a number of wooden phalluses that the Lama had brought with him from Tibet. Pilgrims who visit the monastery receive the blessing by being struck on the head with a ten inch wooden Phallus (erect penis). The symbol of an erect penis is said to ward off evil.

Punakha Dzong

The Punakha Dzong or the Pungtang Dechen Phortang Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu which in turn is a tributary of the   mighty Brahmaputra River. The Dzong was constructed by Sahbdrung Ngwang Namgyal Wangchuck in 1638 on the exact spot as prophesized by the Guru Rinpoche some 800 years ago. According to the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche “a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. And lo behold! Shabdung Ngawang Namgyal found that the peak of the hill was in the shape of an elephant’s trunk and built the Dzong at that very spot. Another legend associated with the Dzong is that of Zowe Palep, the architect of the Dzong received vision of the Dzong in his sleep. This vision got imprinted in the architects mind and enabled him to construct the Dzong without putting his plans to paper.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

After having breakfast and before staring the journey towards Paro, you will do a short hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgyel Chhorten.

The Yulley Namgyal Chorten, lies approximate 7 kilometer north of Punakha. The Chorten is situated along a hill up the valley and can be reached after a leisurely hike through the woods and rice paddies. The Yuelley Namgyal Chorten was constructed by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, in the 1990’s, built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-storey temple. The temple is dedicated to the well-being of all beings that reside in the Kingdom. The temple is considered one of the finest examples of the use of traditional Bhutanese architectural style in modern times. If you can convince the temple keeper to let you inside with you camera and promise you will not click pictures of the sides of the temple them you will be able to see an awesome view of the Punakha Valley.

After the hike you will drive towards Paro and after reaching Paro we will visit:

Kyichu Lhakhang

The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The temple was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th Century AD. The Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples constructed by him to subdue a demon that was terrorizing the people of the

Himalayas. The temple is believed to have been visited by the Guru Rinpoche in the 8th Century during his visit to the Paro Valley. Other important personalities to have visited the temple in antiquity include Lam Kha Nga and the Phajo Dugom Zhigpo.

Drukgyal Dzong,

Also known as Drukgyel, was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro District, Bhutan. The dzong was built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. Drukdra was the son of a consort of Tenpia Nyima. While ruling as the second Paro Penlop, he named the fortress Drukgyal Dzong, derived from ‘The fortress of the victorious Drukpas’, Drukpa meaning person of Bhutan. Nearby can be seen the local temple of the people of phangdo, which contains an image of Tara as the main object of worship.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

Today early morning after breakfast we will go for day excursion to Haa Valley.

On the way to Haa, we will do a stopover at Chelela Pass which fall between Haa and Paro valley.

The pristine and picturesque Haa valley is located about 3 hours west of Paro. The Drive from Paro to Haa valley take you up to the Chele-La pass which is located at a height of about 3800 meters. Make sure you ask you drive to stop the car here so you can enjoy a beautiful view of Bhutan’s 2 highest and best known peaks the Jichu Drake and Mount Jumolhari, some times of a clear day you might be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Kunchenchunga the 3rd highest mountain in the world from this view point. From there we will descend down into the Haa Valley down to the town of Haa.

The Haa valley till recently was closed off for tourists and even today people of the valley live in a manner not very dissimilar from a time long ago. The Haa valley is one of the most isolated and least populous districts of the country.   After spending the day in the valley we will return back to Paro for the night since there are no hotels of note in the valley.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

After early morning breakfast,

We will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world. It is a sight to behold. Taktshang or the Tigers lair as the monastery is called, it is widely regarded is one of the most important monuments of spiritual significance in Bhutan. Its history is deeply associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, the revered Indian saint who came to Bhutan in the 8th century AD.

The cave was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew into the cave from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan while riding on a tigress. When he landed in the cave, he took the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Drolo who is regarded as one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche to decimate the demons. Several saints have chosen this sanctuary to pray and meditate in solitude. The monastery was built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgaye who is said to be one of the reincarnations of Guru Rinpoche. The Monastery consists of four main temples along with their residences that are constructed along the rock ledge. There 8 caves in total out of which 4 are relatively easy to access.

• Overnight stay in hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.