Hunt for Wanderlust Kingdom

The Druk air flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the majestic Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers an exhilarating descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport, you will be received by our representative at exit of terminal and transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

If time permits, visit the Tashichho dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress built in the year 1641 by the Founder of Bhutan, Zhabdrung. It is the centre 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 reconstructed in 1961 in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans. The site offers a deal of monks wondering around in courtyard of Dzong.

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)

 Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, get a feel of the culture and traditions of Bhutan through an all-embracing sightseeing tour of Thimphu.

Visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally visualized by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the Father of modern Bhutan”) who wished to erect a monument to promote world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. The site provides you with the opportunity to take pictures of elderly people and also intermingle with locals.  It has now become a vibrant center of spiritual practice and religious events.

Visit Buddha Point located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the southern entrance to the Thimphu Valley. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha sculpture- 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha sits upon is a large meditation hall.

Visit the National Library that has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. The architecture of National library building will introduce you to Bhutanese architecture.

The Painting School, famous for its traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see students at work producing intricate design on cloth.

Later, visit the Royal Textile museum initiated and inaugurated by Queen Ashi Sangay Choden. The museum displays large quantity of Bhutanese textile collected from different regions of Bhutan.

Lunch in a local restaurant

After lunch, 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 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 paper 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)

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Thimphu

After breakfast, drive towards Punakha with a stopover at Dochula pass(3100mts,10,000ft) Dochula offer a stunning view of snowcapped Himalayan peak including highest mountain of Bhutan(Gangkharpuensum 7514m)  The pass also offers scenic beauty of the 108 stupas built by the Queen Mother Her Majesty Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Continue driving through nature until you reach Punakha.

Lunch at Punakha

 Visit the most impressive fortress, Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress built at the junction of two rivers, the Phochhu (Male River) and the Mochhu (Female River). Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and the Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body.  The fortress has withstood several damages from natural calamities over the centuries. The last flood in October 1994 caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most sacred Buddha statue.

Lunch at Punakha town.

Next, visit Rinchengang village (20mins hike uphill from nearest road).This is one and only village in western Bhutan existing since 17^th century (The oldest village.)The old traditional structure and basic facilities available in this village will take you hundreds of years back. This village also offers friendly people and kids (your opportunity interact, photo and to know about people’s life in rural areas)

Optional: 30mins hike to temple of fertility (expect the place to be crowded with tourist.)

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast drive back to Paro by same road. Stopover at Dochula.10mins hike up the hill will take you to a Meditation place located in middle of woods. After Dochula continue your drive towards Paro. (Take the photo opportunity at bird’s eye view of Paro international Airport.

Lunch at Paro town

After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) which has a long and fascinating history from 1600s. The first National Assembly of Bhutan was held here. This place will deliver a great deal on 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)

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.

• Witness local people playing archery (national sports)

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)

Dinner and overnight 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 eastern Bhutan. 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”. 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. (Your guide will decide on lunch place depending on time)

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 from the family.

 Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the Kingdom.

Optional: Hot stone bath at a Bhutanese farm house (excluded from package)

Dinner and Overnight in a hotel at Paro.

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

• Check in 3 hours before flight departure.
• Your guide will hand over E-tickets to you.
• Passport and E-tickets have to be handy.
• Baggage allowance (30 kg check in).

Any further quarries please feel to contact local agent or guide.