TOUR DURATION: 05 NIGHTS/ 06 DAYS BHUTAN TOUR
TOUR DURATION: 05 NIGHTS/ 06 DAYS BHUTAN TOUR
DAY 01 BANGKOK TO PARO TO THIMPU ELEVATION: 2300M/7590FT. (BLD)
Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains and lush valleys. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), the National Museum and the Paro town. You will be greeted by our local representative at the airport & welcome you to Bhutan with traditional scarves. After completing the formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu. A mixture of rice fields, apple orchards and farm houses. After passing the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers, the road ascends and the valley turns into a narrow gorge before widening out at Namseling, and soon the quaint shrubs of Thimphu begins to appear. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is the only large settlement in Bhutan. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress, and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. Depend on time you can stroll in the town, buy souvenir from Bhutan as you like, and visit weekend ( Friday, Saturday & Sunday) market where you have immense opportunity to take pictures of the local people and the goods they displayed for sell; both produced locally and imported from neighboring India. Overnight at Hotel Namgay Heritage/Bhutan suites or similar.
DAY 02 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING (BLD)
Following your breakfast, enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: Buddha Point: Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your reverence and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974. Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu dating back to 15th century dedicated to the god of compassion. Mini Zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, Sangaygang view point from here the whole of Thimphu valley can be seen. Nunnery where the Buddhist nuns are practicing dharma National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts).The Royal Government of Bhutan has sponsored and established this national institute in the year 1971 mainly to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country’s economy through quality products and services. In the course of history
Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts & crafts. Traditional medicine Institute:It was established with the help of Italian government to improve traditional medicine. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the kingdom are prepared here. Tashichhodzong: The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King’s throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
After lunch, visit traditional weaving centre at the industrial estate at Changzamtog, Bhutanese paper factory and philatelic emporium for famous and beautiful stamps. Craft Bazzarunder patronage of department of cottage & small industry and in collaboration with the department of culture, tourism council and the department of agriculture marketing and cooperatives, this market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts thus contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts. Overnight at the hotel Namgay Heritage and Similar.
DAY 03 THIMPHU - PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING 71KM, 2-3 HOURS, ALT. 1300M) (BLD)
Following breakfast, drive to Punakha, the winter residence of chief abbot. The road climbs for about an hour till you reach a pass at Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150M marked by 108 stupas and thousands of colorful prayer flags offered by people to bring good fortune. Weather permitting, this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. After hot cup of tea/coffee at the Dochula tourist’s café, continue to descend a long way to Punakha & Wangdue through temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in spring then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance. On arrival, check in to the Hotel Meri Punsum/Punatsangchu cottages or similar.
After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong some 7-8 km away from the hotel. Punakha Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan situated in the confluence of Phochhu & Mochhu (male & female rivers). It looks like a giant ship with excellent wood work and detail of paintings. It was here that the first King was crowned in 1907. It was capital of Bhutan until 1955 and then it was shifted to Thimphu. This dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637. Punakha dzong is still serves as winter resident of the chief lama of Bhutan and houses both administrative & religious centre of Punakha district. Drive some 8 km north; cross the suspension bridge and hike for 45 minutes to a newly built Kham Sum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten built by one of the 4 queen mothers for the protection of the country and to bring peace in the world. The view from this temple below is superb. Descend and then drive back to Hotel. Overnight at the hotel Meri Punsum/Punatsangchu cottages or similar.
DAY 04 PUNAKHA – PARO (135KM, 4 HOURS) (BLD)
Following breakfast, visit Chime Lhakhang en route. This temple is dedicated to famous Drukpa Kagyud Lama “Drukpa Kuenley”. The temple is situated on a hillock above Yoakha village. It is about 20 minutes walk from the road through rice terraces and village houses of Yoakha. This temple was built in 1499 by his descendent Ngawang Chogyel. This temple is popularly known as “temple of fertility” and is the pilgrim site for couple who are unable to bear children. Walk back to the road and continue drive to Wangdue to enjoy the scenic and lush valley and Wangdue Dzong perched on a hill. Lunch stop at Dochula Resort and second opportunity to view the eastern Himalayas. On arrival check in to Udumwara or Nak-sel boutique .
DAY 05 EXCURSION TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY, VISIT OF HISTORICAL PLACES (BLD)
Following breakfast, drive 10km north through the beautiful valley of Paro and hike to Taktsang (tiger’s Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. In the 8th century Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru Dorje Drolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17th century, the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger’s lair in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from all over the world. It was completely burnt down in 1998 and re-built with help from Bhutan government, individual donors and financial supports from other nations.
It takes 2 hours ascend till the closest view point and 1 hour descend to the valley. Stop at tourism café situated half way for refreshment. On your way back, you again stop at the café for lunch. After lunch, continue to walk down to the bottom of the valley where your vehicle is waiting. Drive further north and visit the Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victorious Drukpas). It was burnt in 1951 by the tilting of butter lamp in the middle of the night so in present days it remains as ruins preserved as monument. It was built in 1647 after Bhutan stand victorious against Tibetan invasion. On your way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred temple in Bhutan built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo. The legend says that he built 108 temples throughout the Himalayan regions in a single day to subdue the demoness who was terrorizing the whole of Himalayan region. Drive to visit Ta-dzong (national museum) an ancient tower, which served as watch tower to the Paro Rimpong Dzong until 1968 when it was converted into museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll painting), ancient artifacts dating from 7th century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, temple with tree of wisdom depicting the history of Buddhism, collection of animals, birds & butterflies and the good collection of ancient armors such as canons, guns, shield, bows & arrows, spears etc. After the museum, drive back to Hotel. Dinner and over night at Udumwara.
DAY 06 FLYTO BANGKOK (B)
Following breakfast, drive to airport for your onward flight to Bangkok . Farewell and wish you safe journey back home.
TOUR DURATION: 05 NIGHTS/ 06 DAYS BHUTAN TOUR
Cost Includes:
- Arrival and departure transfers on Private basis.
- 05 Nights accommodation at above 4*+ hotels
- Daily breakfast , Lunch and Dinner as mentioned above
- Tour on private basis
- Guide charges
- Entrance fees
- Bhutan Visa Fee
- Government taxes & Royalty of USD 65 per day per person in Bhutan
- All transfers and sightseeing as mentioned above
- All transfers and sightseeing by a/c coaster
Cost excludes:
- Airfare , Airport tax, Drinks, Tips, Insurance and any extra cost occurring from the Unfavorable Circumstances such as weather, road blockade, flight cancellation Etc
- All personal nature expenses such as tips, donations, bar bills etc.
TOUR DURATION: 05 NIGHTS/ 06 DAYS BHUTAN TOUR