Bhutan The Wonderland

Fly into the kingdom of Bhutan with DrukAir (Dragon Airline), Bhutan’s National Airline. . It is incredibly stunning view when the weather is clear. The sight of snowcapped peaks of some of the highest mountains on earth arrests ones heart and mind. After completion of airport formalities our representative will receive you at outside the exit terminal. Start driving towards capital city of Bhutan (1hr 30mins) .On the way to Thimphu, a photo stop opportunity of a Buddhist temple dating back to 15^thcentury and a short walking opportunity across the bridge at chu-zom (confluence of Paro river and Thimphu river). As you walk you will get stunning view of three chorten (stupa) built at the confluence of two rivers. Check in to the hotel (location town).Lunch at hotel.

Later if time permits visit the Tashichhoe Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress built in the year 1641 by the Founder of Bhutan Zhabdrung. It is the center of government and religion, His Majesty the King’s Throne Room and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot of the monastic body. After a fire, it was remodeled in 1962 in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans.

Evening at leisure.

Recommended free time activity:

• Take a walk in town.

• Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)
• Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)
• Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)

Overnight and dinner in a hotel at Thimphu.

After breakfast, sightseeing of Thimphu valley includes,

 Visit to National memorial chorten (stupa) built in memory of 3^rd king of Bhutan. This sight will give travelers the opportunity to take pictures senior citizen and to intermingle with locals circumambulating around the stupa.

Visit Buddha point. A gigantic statue of Buddha erected on a mountain overlooking Thimphu city. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha statue- 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these figure have also been casted in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha sits upon is a large meditation hall.

 Visit Changangkha monastery. A 12th century monastery active with few monks and beautiful Buddhist paintings inside. The main goal of visiting this sights is to see, feel and interact with local families coming with new born babies to do offering and occasionally you will witness monks performing ritual inside the shrine.

 Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.

 Lunch in a local restaurant

Afternoon, visit Traditional handmade paper factory where you will be escorted inside the factory to see the traditional way of making paper followed by paper gallery where you will see how traditional papers are put in use in modern times.

 Visit Centenary farmers market where you get to see local vegetable, rice, fruits and meat items being sold (expect the place to be crowded with local buyer and vendors. (The goal of going to this vegetable market is provide an opportunity to travelers to engage all six senses)

Evening at leisure                           

Recommended free time activity:

• Take a walk in town.

• Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)

• Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)

• Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)

Overnight and dinner in a hotel at Thimphu.

After breakfast from Thimphu drive back to paro (1hr 30mins)

Visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as a Watch Tower to overlook the valley, it has been serving as the National Museum of the country since 1967. It has on display a fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and general history of Bhutan.

Next, visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) located at a ridge overlooking Paro valley. The Dzong has a long and fascinating history from 1600s. The first National Assembly of Bhutan was held here. The Dzong offers the sight of 100s of monks wondering in the courtyard of Dzong. After Paro Dzong take a short walk down for 15-20mins till you reach a beautiful traditional cantilevered bridge (photo opportunity as you walk down the way)

Lunch in local resturant in town

After lunch visit Sangachoekhor Buddhist institute located at outstanding view of entire Paro valley below. The institute offer a temple to visit however the high light of visiting this place is to talk and see hundreds of monks studying and leaving there. The goal of this visit to know and understand the life of monks in Bhutan.

Leisure time in Paro town.

Recommended free activity:

• Walk along old Paro Street.

• Brioche café.
• Visit stamp shop and Bhutanese traditional music CD shop at old market.

Check in to the hotel. (Your guide will do a detail orientation and preparation for the hike to Tiger nest for next day, while having welcome time in hotel)

Overnight and dinner in a hotel at Paro.

Early start is recommended (summer 7am, winter7:30)

After an early breakfast drive north of Paro valley and take a 5-6 hours excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress from Tibet. He meditated in the cave and emerged in eight incarnated forms and thus, the site became holy.  Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. (Your guide will decide on lunch place depending on time)The journey to Tigernest is known for its hiking path through pristine environment delivering views of Paro valley and the famous Tigernest at many spots.

After Tiger nest visit a Traditional farm house where you get the opportunity see interior part of a farm house and also to sit with local family and know about real story translated by your guide or directly from family(depends if someone from family speaks English).As you hear the story, you also get to try local tea(salted cow butter tea) and local alcohol(Ara from fermented rice or wheat).The main goal of this visit is to see traditional house and hear on Bhutanese way of life as farmer.

Optional sights if time permits. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the Kingdom.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for final departure.