5 Days
4 Nights
Detailed Itinerary
Day- 01 : Arrival – Paro -Thimphu (L/D )
Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa handy. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building and transfer to Thimphu. Stroll around the city in the evening.
Drive from Paro to Thimphu: The distance of about 65kms from Paro town takes little less then 1 and half hours. Drive south following Pachu river to the river confluence at Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive takes about 45 minutes, to the capital, 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 150,000 people.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day-02: Thimphu (B/L/D)
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin Sanctuary, Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Traditional School of arts & crafts and Tashicho Dzong. Upon available time, you will also visit Bhutanese Paper making factory and other sights. 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.
School of arts and 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.
Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organisations. Bhutan’s spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer.
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 – Paro (B/L/D)
After breakfast, drive to Paro and sightseeing in Paro, visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong. Kyichu temple complex, ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and Farm House. Overnight in Paro.
National Museum: Established in 1967, and holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, households stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan’s famous Stamps among others.
Rinpung Dzong: 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 colorful 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, first floor is utilised for sheltering cattle, second floor for the family to live in and the top for storing and drying of foods and fodder for animal. A visit to farmhouse is interesting and provides you with an experience to the daily life of average Bhutanese.
Day-04: Paro – Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (B/L/D)
Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery also known as Taktsang. Then visit typical Bhutanese Farm House. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
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 with prior notice of a day with an additional charge of USD. 20 per person”.
Day-05: (Saturday) Paro – Depart(B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to onward destination. Tashi Delek !
Important Notes:-
1.The Places of Interest sometime are closed without prior notice but will be substituted with other place of interest.
2. Itineraries are for reference and may be subject to Change
3. 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.