Bhutan–Land of Thunder Dragon (7 Nights / 8 Days)

Day 01 : Paro Airport - Thimphu (65 KMs/2 Hrs)

Arrive at Paro International Airport. Complete Immigration formalities and transfer to Thimphu. On arrival check-in to hotel, proceed for day sightseeing tour of Thimphu, visit the following places:

Memorial Chorten: National Memorial Chorten. This large Tibetan-style Chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928-72).

Kuensel Phodrang: World's Largest Sitting Buddha Statue. Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha Statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Day 02 : Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast start for full day sightseeing tour of Thimphu, visit the following places:

BBS Tower: Provides a vantage point view of the Thimphu Valley.

There's a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside below the telecommunications tower (elevation 2685m), high above the town at the end of a road that branches off from the approach to the youth center. The complex also houses the broadcasting studios of Bhutan television. Don't photograph the telecommunications installation, but the valley is worth a few snaps.

Takin Preserve: The Takin is a rare type of goatantelope living in the Eastern Himalayas. The Takin found at the Motithang Takin Preserve were once part of a small zoo. But when the King of Bhutan declared it was improper for Buddhist country to keep animals in such confinement, the big beasts were set free.

Folk Heritage Museum: Bhutan - Australia Friendship Offer. Located in the capital city of Thimphu, this museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house.

Royal Textile Academy & Museum: The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan, also known as the Bhutan Textile Museum or the National Textile Museum, was established in 2001.

Handicrafts Emporium: The handicraft of Bhutan has played a very important role in terms of distinctly maintaining the country's unique culture and tradition.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Day 03 : Thimphu - Punakha (80 KM/3 Hrs)

Sightseeing After breakfast check-out form hotel and proceed for Punakha. En-route, halt at Dochu La -A mountain pass leading further into the Punakha Valley. It offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquillity of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Enjoy lunch at newly open restaurant Druk Wangyel Café (at own cost). Before check-in at hotel visit the following places:

Chimi Lhakang: Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery or temple, is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455- 1529) The Lhakhang is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Punakha near a village called Sopsokha from where a 20 minutes' walk through agricultural fields of mustards and rice, leads to a hillock where the monastery and the Chorten are situated. Prayer flags are lined all along the road from the tiny village hamlet known as Yowakha, along a drain or stream to the monastery. All houses in the village have paintings of phalluses on their exterior walls.

Overnight stay in Punakha.

Day 04 : Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast start for full day sightseeing tour of Punakha, visit the following places:

Punakha Dzong: Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong's characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in the elegantly designed palace is the current administrative centre of Punakha district. Constructed in 1637 by Ngawang Namgyal the 1st Zhabdrung Rinchope. The palace is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. Located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu River, Punakha Dzong is known to be the most picturesque Dzong in the country. Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan's kings have been crowned here. The dzong is still the winter residence of the dratshang.

Suspension Bridge: One of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu, draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals from the other side of the town as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong. It is constructed for pedestrian movement and connects the village across the river. The area offers breath taking views and it's a delight for human eyes as well as camera lens. You could see adventure seeking tourists carrying out river rafting through the Phu Chhu River. The bridge is suspended at a good height from the river and after the initial jitters we managed to cross it. Optional :River Rafting.

Overnight stay in Punakha.

Day 05 : Punakha - Paro (65 KMs / 2 Hrs)

After breakfast check-out from hotel and transfer to Paro. The Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom upto Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. On arrival check in to hotel and start for sightseeing tour of Paro, including the following places:

Rinpung Dzong : Rinpung Dzong is a large Dzong Buddhist monastery and fortress - of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro.

Kyichu Lhakhang : Famous Monastery in Paro. Kyichu Lhakhang location is in the north of Paro town. It is one of the ancient, quiet and beautiful temples in Bhutan. ... The temple was established by the Buddhist King Songstsen Gampo of Tibet to overcome the giant ogress that laid across Tibet and Himalayas preventing the spread of Buddhism.

Ta Dzong:  National Museum of Bhutan. Ta Dzong was officially opened and renovated as the museum in the year 1968 under the command of His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. ... The Paro national museum helps in supporting one of the four pillars of GNH by being as a preserver and promoter of Bhutanese cultural values, lifestyles and architectures.

Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 06 : Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast proceed for day excursion tour of Taktsang Monastery : A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taktshang Monastery, famously known as Tiger Nest Monastery.The monastery is one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan. The legend of Taktshang (Tiger's lair) evolved form 747 AD when assuming a wrathful form, Guru Dorji Drolo, astride a tigress, subdued at the evil spirits in the locality. Thus Taktshang became one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan Buddhist world. Taktshang clings to the rock towering 800 meters (over 2,600 ft.) above the valley, and is located 2,950 meters (9,678 ft.) above the sea level.

Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 07 : Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast proceed for a day excursion towards Chele La Pass. Bhutan is a mountainous country linked with series of passes. Located at 3810m, between the valley of Paro and Haa is Chele La, the highest road pass in the country.

Popular for short excursion, many tourists are seen visiting the vantage point. The drive to Chele La is through dense spruce and larch forests. Depending on season you will encounter various sites such as frozen river, waterfall, rhododendron forest and yaks grazing peacefully. On a clear day, you can view Mt. Jumolhari (Bhutan's most sacred park at over 22,000 ft.) along with Jichu Drake and adjoining peaks to the North West.

Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 08 : Paro Airport

After breakfast check-out from Hotel and take the departure transfer to Paro Airport.

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