Day 01: Weaving through the valley, landing at the Paro Airport is like no other landings anywhere in the world. On arrival in Paro one of our professional guides will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch visit the National Museum, housed in an ancient watch tower. Later a tour of the beautiful Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century will introduce us to the unique aspects of the Bhutanese Buddhism. A short downhill walk from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful first day in this magical Kingdom.. Overnight in Paro / Altitude: 2200m
Day0 2: Hike up to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest as it is popularly known. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m above the valley. It is believed that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochee, a tantric master flew here on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will occupy most of our morning. In the afternoon we will host a special prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 year old Kichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of our journey.
Overnight in Paro
Day 03: Paro to Thimphu (Capital). 1 hour drive. We will check you into your hotel. After lunch we will visit the National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museum, Traditional Painting School, the Takin Zoo, National Library, Thimphu Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum and the weekend market etc.
Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m
Day 04: Thimphu to Punakha. 3 hours drive to Punakha over the Dochula pass at 3000m. If we are lucky we may catch glimpses of the Himalayas. Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. Today, the Central Monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets cold in Thimphu. With the climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with abundance of fruits and rice. After lunch we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which showcases the perfect example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. After touring the Dzong we will take a short drive in the lush upper Punakha valley and hike for 45 minutes to the Beautiful Khamsum Yuley temple on a hill.
Overnight in Punakha / Altitude: 1250m
Day 5: Todayafter breakfast we will drive back to Thimphu. In the afternoon we will take a short drive to north of Thimphu and visit the Cheri Monastery. This monastery serves as the center for Buddhist studies. You will meet a lot of young Bhutanese monks.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 6: We will drive you to the Paro International Airport and see you off.
Overview
Glimpses of Bhutan: (5 nights)
Day 01: Weaving through the valley, landing at the Paro Airport is like no other landings anywhere in the world. On arrival in Paro one of our professional guides will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch visit the National Museum, housed in an ancient watch tower. Later a tour of the beautiful Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century will introduce us to the unique aspects of the Bhutanese Buddhism. A short downhill walk from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful first day in this magical Kingdom.. Overnight in Paro / Altitude: 2200m
Day0 2: Hike up to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest as it is popularly known. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m above the valley. It is believed that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochee, a tantric master flew here on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will occupy most of our morning. In the afternoon we will host a special prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 year old Kichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of our journey.
Overnight in Paro
Day 03: Paro to Thimphu (Capital). 1 hour drive. We will check you into your hotel. After lunch we will visit the National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museum, Traditional Painting School, the Takin Zoo, National Library, Thimphu Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum and the weekend market etc.
Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m
Day 04: Thimphu to Punakha. 3 hours drive to Punakha over the Dochula pass at 3000m. If we are lucky we may catch glimpses of the Himalayas. Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. Today, the Central Monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets cold in Thimphu. With the climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with abundance of fruits and rice. After lunch we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which showcases the perfect example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. After touring the Dzong we will take a short drive in the lush upper Punakha valley and hike for 45 minutes to the Beautiful Khamsum Yuley temple on a hill.
Overnight in Punakha / Altitude: 1250m
Day 5: Today after breakfast we will drive back to Thimphu. In the afternoon we will take a short drive to north of Thimphu and visit the Cheri Monastery. This monastery serves as the center for Buddhist studies. You will meet a lot of young Bhutanese monks.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 6: We will drive you to the Paro International Airport and see you off.