| Bhutan – The Land of Thunder Dragons |  |
Duration : 07 nights / 08 days
Places to See : Paro – Thimpu – Wangdue – Trongsa – Bumthang – Gangtey – Home / Onward Destination.
|
| Day 01: Arrive at Paro. Paro to Thimphu . |
|
In clear weather, Druk Air’s flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of Himalayan scenery. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, it is a breathtaking journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom.
Visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the finest natural Museum in South Asia. Drive to see the Rinpung Dzong, then walk down to Rimpung Dzong Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Bhutan.
Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Check into the hotel. Walk around the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in honor of the late King. Also visit the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. Later you will be driven further up to Sangaygang to enjoy the bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley.
|
| Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing to Wangdue |
In the morning, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Thimphu visit the following :
Tashichhodzong - the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, The National Library - which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years, The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), The National Institute of Traditional Medicine where the medicinal herbs abundant in the kingdom are compounded and dispensed. In the afternoon, drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft).
|
 |
| Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Visit the Punakha Dzong. Evening, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing. Overnight at hotel in Wangdue. |
| Day 03: Wangdue -Trongsa -Bumthang |
|
Morning, continue journey to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. Drive to Bumthang, this is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Visit Yatha Weaving Center a cooperative of the National Women Association of Bhutan where the women of the region sell their textiles and Yatha specialty. Check into Hotel.
|
| Day 04: Bumthang Sightseeing |
|
Morning, enjoy splendid sightseeing tour of Bumthang which includes Jambay Lhakhang - built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet, Chakhar Lhakhang - Besides the main road, a short distance beyond Jambay Temple is Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang. Although it is easy to mistake it for a house and drive right by, this is an interesting temple and is worth a short visit, Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, "Body imprint"). It was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652, Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Good Message) , Jakar Dzong, "castle of the white bird". According to legend, when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill. In the evening stroll around the beautiful landscape of the Bumthang valley. Dinner and overnight in Bumthang.
|
| Day 05: Bumthang - Gangtey - Wangdue |
|
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gompa with a picnic lunch. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes (Grus Nicorocolis), which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter to this valley. Drive to Wangdue for overnight stay.
|
|
| Day 06: Wangdue to Paro |
|
After breakfast, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) temple built by the Queen Of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. Visit Wangdue Dzong and drive back to Paro driving through the idyllic countryside, dotted with villages and paddy fields, crossing rivers and natural forests to Paro. Evening, free for strolling around Paro Town, shopping, etc.
|
| Day 07: Paro - A Day Hike |
After breakfast, drive to the base camp and then hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest). The climb up to the viewpoint will take approx. 3hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. The monastery was built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the cafe', walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch. Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which were built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan.
In the afternoon, visit Kichu temple one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. Visit the Dungte Lhakhang. Overnight at hotel in Paro
|
| Day 08: Departure from Paro |
|
In the morning, your guide will escort you to the airport for your onward destinations.
|
| Tour ends here……… | |