On The Wings Of Dragon

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 act and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport, you will be received by our representative at the exit of terminal and will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

In the evening, if time permits, visit the Thimphu Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress built in the year 1600s 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 reconstructed in 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans. This site offers a great deal of monks wondering in the courtyard.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

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 inclusive sightseeing tour of Thimphu.

Visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally pictured 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. This site offer photo opportunity and to 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 statue- 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these figure 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 Painting School, famous for its traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see students at work producing intricate design on cloth and also working on 13 arts and craft namely wood carving, painting, sculpture, embroidery etc..

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

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 to Punakha with a short stop at Dochula pass (3,050m) and enjoy the most enchanting view of the 108 stupas against the setting of the majestic Himalayas.

Later visit the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress which is beautifully erect between pho chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river).This Dzong is considered as winter residence of the central monastic body. Before 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan.

Lunch at punakha.

Later, drive for 30-45mins uphill to Talo village. En-route visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendup Nunnery, built on a pine-covered ridge above Punakha valley. The nunnery’s chapel houses a 4.5mts bronze statue of Chenrezing, the bodhisattva of compassion, along with statues of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung in an intricately sculpted altar. It is home to a small and friendly community of nuns. A PRIVATE AUDENCE WITH A NUN WIILL BE ARRANGED BY BHUTAN TRAVELCATIONS(This feature is exclusive only for guest travelling through Bhutan Travelcations without any cost involve)The goal of this setting is to allow you to understand real life of nuns in Bhutan).Continue driving uphill until you see a scattered village on hill top. The royal queen mothers (four sisters) hail from this small village. The high light of this visit is a short walk (30mins) from top of village to bottom where you will see local farmers doing farm works. (Photo and interaction opportunities)

Dinner and Overnight in the hotel at Punakha.

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

Drive for 30-45mins and a hike uphill for an hour will take you to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten that sits majestically on the ridge above Punakha valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below. The hike start with a suspension bridge along the paddy field and provides magical photo opportunities and also to intermingle with farmers.  The temple like stupa was built by the Queen Mother Her Majesty Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck to ward off evil forces and bring peace and harmony to all living beings. It is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. From the top of the Chorten you can enjoy the peace and beautiful view.

One the way back to Punakha from Khamsum Yulley Namgyal,a short walk for 15mins from road  will take you to Bhutan’s longest Suspension bridge, spanning 180 m and perched high above Pho chu (male river).

Lunch at punakha

Next, visit Rinchengang village (20mins hike uphill from nearest road).This is one and only village in western Bhutan existing since 17th 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 to interact, photo, see and experience the life of rural farmers.

Dinner and overnight in hotel at Punakha

After breakfast drive back to Paro by same road. Stopover at Dochula. 10mins hike up the hill will take you to a Meditation center 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. A purification ceremony by a monk will be offered on request. (Inform the guide a day before for reservation. included). This place offers a great deal of monks wondering in 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 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)

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.

 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.