6 Days
5 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, 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 170,000 people.
DAY 02: Thimphu (B/L/D)
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit Memorial Chorten, ChangGangkha Lhakhang,
School of arts & crafts. After lunch visit Buddha Point, Handicraft Emporium and Tashicho Dzong after 5pm. Upon available time, you can also visit Bhutanese Paper making factory/similar. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, It serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.
ChangGangkha Lhakhang: Perched on a ridge above Thimphu valley and established during 12th century by Phajo Drukgom Shigpo. There are enormous prayers wheels to spin around the Lhakhang and also enjoy the view from the entry courtyard.
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.
Buddha Point: Or Buddha Dordenma, largest and the tallest statue of Lord Buddha, perhaps will become the 8th (eight) wonder of the World. Enjoy the scenic view of the Capital city from here.
Handicraft Emporium: Visit the Handicraft Emporium to bring back a souvenir back home from the kingdom of Happiness.
Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organisations. It is also the summer residence for HH the Je Khenpo (the Chief Abbot) and the monastic body.
DAY 03: Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue (B/L/D)
Drive from Thimphu to Punakha, en-route stop at Dochula Pass(3050m) where you may view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain. Visit Punakha Dzong
and take a nice and easy hike to Chimi Lhakhang. Overnight at hotel 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 Dzong is also the winter Residence for the Chief abbot of Bhutan.
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 of preaching religion. This easy walk takes about ½ hour each way.
DAY 0 4 : Punakha/Wangdue – Paro
Morning, drive to Paro and do the sightseeing of Paro, visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong nd Kyichu Lhakhang. 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.
DAY 05: Paro -Taktshang Monastery Hike
Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery also known as Taktsang and Traditional Bhutanese Farm house and enjoy your last meal with a Bhutanese cuisine. 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.
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.
“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”.
DAY 06 : Paro – Depart (B)
Morning, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to onward destination, where your guide will bid you goodbye and wish you a safe journey.
Tashi Delek !
Important Notes:-
- The Places of Interest sometime are closed without prior notice but will be substituted with other 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.