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Duration : 9 Days/8 Nights

Day 1

  • Be totally enchanted by the breathtaking landscape and pristine environment of Paro valley upon arrival at our international airport. You will be warmly received by our friendly, traditionally dressed representative with the offering of a white welcome scarf. Drive to hotel in Thimphu (about 1.5-hour drive from airport).
  • On arrival at hotel, you will be served a welcome drink after welcome tea followed by check-in at hotel.
  • Rest till lunch in the hotel / nearby restaurant.
  • After lunch, we will take a 10-min drive to Changangkha Temple (built in the 15th century by famous Lama Nyima). Inside the temple is statue of the “God of Compassion” made out of platinum. You may witness a newborn babies being blessed in this temple.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”3″ images=”2262″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”400X250″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
  • Drive to Mini Zoo, Bhutan’s only Zoo to see the national animal Takin.
  • Drive to Sangay Gang, lookout point of Thimphu city.
  • Visit nunnery founded by 16th Drubthob Thangthong Gyalpo in 1976. More than 40 nuns study Buddhism in this nunnery.
  • Visit Zorigchusum (meaning 13 arts and crafts) which is popularly known as the painting school. Students in this school learn traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving and embroidery.
  • Visit the National Library which consists of 2 buildings. On the ground floor of the old building is the largest book in the world and religious books on the upper floor. English books are kept on the ground floor in the new building.
  • Drive to Thimphu Tashicho Dzong, a fortress built in 1772 by the temporal ruler Zhidar and Younten Thaye the Chief Abbot.
  • Over night at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2

  • Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Punakha, old capital of Bhutan (about 3-hour drive from Thimphu).
  • Stopovers on the way at enchanting Docula pass (3040m above sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas Mountains ranges.
  • Arrive at Punakha Valley (1300m above sea level), a fertile valley were farmers grow two crops in a year.
  • Visit Punakha Dzong which played an important role in the olden days. It was Bhutan’s second monastery school after the Cheri Monastery. The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It is residence to the Centre Monk Body and Chief Abbot in winter.
  • Hike to Chimi Lhakhang through a nice walk along the rice field and through farm houses. The temple was built by Lama Nawang Chogyel in 1499 and is today a popular temple where barren women come to pray for a child. The temple is popularly known as the Fertility Temple.
  • Over night at hotel in Punakha.

Day 3

  • Drive to Trongsa, (6 to 7 hours.)
  • Stop at Chendebi Chorten, and walk around the giant Stupa, built by uncle of first king around 200 years ago.
  • In the afternoon, if time permits visit Trongsa National Museum. The museum is located inside the old Watch Tower. Tower was converted into a museum in 2008.
  • Over night at hotel in Trongsa.

Day 4

  • After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest Dzong. The site was founded in the 16th Century by Lama Ngagi Wangchuck but was enlarged in 1652 by first Governor of Trongsa, Chogay Minjur Tempa.
  • Over night at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 5

  • Start the day visiting Jamphel Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan founded by the 7th king of Tibet, Songtshen Gyampo in 659 AD. This temple was one of the 108 temples built by him throughout Tibet and Himalayas to overcome a giant demon. While Kichu Lhakhang in Paro was built on the left foot, Jampa Lhakhang was built on the left knee of the demon to subjugate the evils.
  • We will then visit Kurji Lhakhang, the place where Guru Rimpoche meditated for 3 months to subdue the local deity who had taken the life force of the Sindu Raja. You can see the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche in this temple.
  • Walk half an hour to the 3rd temple, Tamshing Lhakhang which means ‘temple of good message’. This temple was founded by Lama Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple contains original wall paintings from 1501 which it was never repainted.
  • Visit Wangdicholing Dzong built by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal in 1851. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture in the country.
  • Visit Jakar Dzong, founded in 1649 by great grandfather of the Shabdrung. It was later enlarged in 1683 by the 4th Druk Desi Gaysay Tenzin Rabgay, who added a tower water reservoir.
  • Over night at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6

  • Drive back to Wangduephodrang, crossing two passes – Yotongla and Pelela.

Day 7

  • Drive back to Paro, taking the same road over Dochula Pass.
  • Visit Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built in 1649 by Paro Governor Tenzin Drugda to protect the fortress below. The Ta Dzong was almost destroyed in 1965 but was restored by the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968. It is a 7-storey building in the shape of a couch and has walls with  2.5m thickness.
  • Visit Paro Dzong which was built in 1646 by the Shabdrung to protect people and the valley from frequent attacks by Tibetan invaders. Today this Dzong serve as the administrative office of Paro district and housee 110 monks.

Day 8

  • Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang), one of the holiest monasteries in the Buddhist World.

Day 9

  • Depart from Paro.
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