10 Days
9 Nights
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 01: Singapore -Paro -Thimphu (L/D)
Fly into Paro by Druk Air. A flight into Bhutan is spectacular with views of Himalayas. Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa handy. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building. Later drive to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Thimphu: (2,300m) was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan’s official national capital. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights with estimated population of 70,000 people.
DAY 02: Thimphu (B/L/D)
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu.
Visit Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Buddha Dordenma/Point, Traditional School of arts & crafts, Folk Heritage Museum and Bhutanese Paper making Factory. Upon available of time, you can also visit other sights. Lunch and dinner at hotel or restaurant in town. Overnight in Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.
Zilukha Nunnery: It has been housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho Dzong can be seen from the nunnery.
Buddha Dordenma/Point:One of the largest and tallest sitting statue of Lord Buddha. Buddha Dordenma, the Buddha Indestructibility, sitting on hill top and overlooking the Capital city and blessing the every sentient beings. You can also enjoy the view of the Capital city from here.
School of Arts & Crafts: Commonly known as ‘the painting school’ is a national institute where children attend six-year course that provides instruction in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts called Zorig Chuksum – meaning 13 crafts.
Folk Heritage Museum: Heritage Museum is also a recent addition; housed in a traditional home displays the living style of the Bhutanese family in 19th century.
Paper Factory: Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods.
DAY 03: Thimphu (B/L/D)
This morning, drive north through the suburbs for about 40min to Dodena and walk up to Cheri Monastery or visit other place of sightseeing. Later, visit Tashichhodzong and free time to browse around local shops. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Cheri Gompa was first built in 1620 by shabdrung and it was here that the central monastic body (Dratsang) was first established. Many of the important priests of Drukpa Kagyul lineage passed periods here, and so it is an important pilgrim site for Bhutanese.
Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan’s spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer.
DAY 04: Thimphu -Punakha/Wangdue (B/L/D)
Drive to Punakha, en-route stop at Dochula Pass(3050m) where you can view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, Gangkhar Punsum(7550m). Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
Punakha Dzong: or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang “Palace of Great Happiness” is located on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho and Mochu.
Punakha and Wangdue: Although two separate districts, are located in one valley (20km or ½ hr drive apart) Overnight Punakha.
DAY 05: Punakha/Wangdue (B/L/D)
Morning, at leisure, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of fertility. After lunch and stroll around the makeshift vegetable market of Lobesa. Overnight at hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Chimi Lhakhang: A monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. This easy walk takes about ½ hour each way
DAY 06: Punakha -Paro (B/L/D)
Morning, drive back to Paro via Docchula Pass again. Catch on with the Sceneries, you missed on your onward journey. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Paro: Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the most popular and important sites also found within Paro district.
“Once again, you will be driving via Dochula Pass and this is your second opportunity to see the breathtaking views of the Himalayas over a cup of tea/coffee”
DAY 07: Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang and Traditional Bhutanese Farm House. Overnight at Hotel in Paro.
National Museum: Established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower. It holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, households stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan’s famous Stamps among others.
Rinpung Dzong: meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels”. Built in mid 17th century, it now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for the 200 monks of Paro. Several years ago, the colourful movie Little Buddha was filmed here.
Kyichu Lhakhang: Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples, along with Jorkhang in Lhasa. Kyichu is considered to be one of them and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Farm House or Village Home: Bhutanese farmhouses are colorful, decorative and traditionally built without any nails. Majority of the houses are with three story. A visit to farmhouse is interesting and provides you with an experience to the daily life of average Bhutanese.
DAY 08: Paro (B/L/D)
Morning, drive to the trail head, and begin the trek to famous Taktsang Monastery.
Hike to Taktsang: Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley. The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs uphill to the Cafeteria (2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. You can get a good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the temple itself
“Traditional Hot Stone bath can be arranged in Paro with prior notice of a day in advance with minimum additional charge of USD.25 per person”
You can also enjoy Traditional Bhutanese cuisine as dinner at the Farm House.
DAY 09: Paro (B/L/D)
After b/fast, take a scenic and leisure drive to Haa valley via Chele la pass (3880Mtrs, Approx). Enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful Himalayas if the weather is clear. Hot Picnic/packed lunch will be provided during the Excursions OR discuss with your Guide and eat lunch in Haa at local restaurant. In Haa visit Lhakhang Karpo. Later drive back to Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Lhakhang Karpo: Few kilometers further along the main road, Chhundu Lhakhang is located almost 11 kilometres away from main valley. It is one of the Lhakhang that is dedicated to the valley’s protractive deity. An annual sacrifices rituals is still performed every year, highlighting how deeply Bhutan’s roots run to it’s pre Buddhist past.
DAY 10: Paro –Deperture -Singapore (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the Airport for your departure, where your Guide will bid you good bye and wish you safe Journey.
Tashi Delek !
Important Notes:-
- The Places of Interest sometime are closed without prior notice but will be substituted with another place of interest.
- Itineraries are for reference and may be subject to Change
- In the event that accommodation as mentioned are not available an alternative accommodation of similar standard will be provided or a home stay will be arranged for an experience.