Detail Itinerary

• 1 Arrival at Paro
  As the plane sweeps pass the mountain slopes, the Paro Valley greets you with verdant paddies bowling to the breeze and tiny houses speckled on the bank of the gushing river. The air is crystal clear, light translucent and on horizon, snowcapped mountains frame the idyllic like painting. It does not matter how many time you land in Paro, the bucolic valley unfolds like a dream. If you are lucky, you will have a sparkling view of the Snowcapped Himalayas. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will meet our representative, who will drive through Paro town for lunch at one of the local restaurant.

  Afternoon:

  Visit Paro Dzong built in 1646, which houses the administrative center of the Paro district and religious institute for monks. The Paro Dzong may be familiar to people who watched Bertolucci’s film “The Little Buddha” Their after walk down to the coach crossing over the traditional wooden covered bridge called “Nymezampa” which spans over the Paro River. Drive to Visit Kichu Lkakhang 6th century old monastery.

  Evening leisure at Zhiwaling
• 2 Paro - Thimphu
  You will take a 1½ -hour leisurely drive towards the Capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Passing through hills and some astounding countryside. Thimphu is situated in a large valley traversed by the Wangchuk River and overshadowed by high peaks. Enroute you will view Tachogang monastery “the temple of excellent horse” built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron chain builder in Bhutan) before reaching to Chunzom (confluence of Paro – Thimphu River). At the confluence stop for vehicle registration, you will see three forms of Chortens in different styles i.e. Nepalese, Tibetan and Bhutanese. We drive following the Thimphu River upwards passing through several villages. This morning you will visit the following places of cultural interest.

  In the morning you will visit the National Memorial Chorten with its golden spines shining in the sun, its tinkling bells built in honour of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insights into Buddhist Philosophy in all its complexity of tantric Buddhism. This Chorten is centrally located and you will see an endless procession of elderly people circling around it.

  • Industrial State: Afternoon visit the Industrial State, where you can see the weavers weaving different fabrics.
  • The Arts and Craft Institute: This is a vocational training institute, where traditional techniques of drawing, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, weaving, wood carving and sculpturing are taught to students with the objective of preserving the rich and pristine heritage.
  • the Handicraft Emporium, and other local handicraft shops to experience the beauty of Bhutanese textiles.
  • Visit Changangkha Lhakhang Bulit in 13 century old monastery

  Evening Visit Tashi Chodzong and their after drive to Buddha point for a bird view of Thimphu

  Valley : Overnight at Amankora
• 3 Thimphu – Punakha
  Drive to Punakha over the Dochu La (3050 m) is one of the most beautiful drive in Bhutan. On a clear day you will be able to see a spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas from this pass. The pass is also dotted by many colorful prayer flags and 108 chortens. We will have light refreshment at the Dochu-la cafeteria. Thereafter we descend through the forest of rhododendrons and magnolia. After several stops on the way, you pass the village of Lumitsawa; Thinleygang and reach the fertile valley of Lobesa. Enroute you will have a view Chimi Lhakhang, the “Temple of Fertility,” built in 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad Man.”

  Afternoon: Drive to visit Punakha Dzong, This dzong is one of the most beautiful and architecturally impressive Dzong in the country. It is ideally located between two rivers Pho Chu “Male River” and Mo Chu “Female River”. It was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and it has served as the seats of the Government till 1953. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “a person named Namgyel will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. At the time there was a smaller Dzong “ Dzong Chung” that house a statute of Buddha. It has said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in from of the statue. While Palep was sleeping in front the statue; the Shadrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From this vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, “Palace of Great Happiness.” Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot”) and central monk body. Take time to admire the impressive, colourful and detailed artistry of the surrounding, including the huge statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdung Nawany Namgyel.

  Afternoon drive back to Paro. Evening leisure at AMANKORA
• 4 Punakha – Paro
  Hike to KhamsumYuelley Namgyel Chorten:

  30 m tall chorten can bee seen from the distance when driving. The three leveled chorten took eight and half year to built and was consecrated in 1999, dedicated to the Fith King of Bhutan, it was built to remove negative forces and to provide peace, stability and harmony in an ever changing world. It is therefore filled with every forms of colorful protector imaginable.

  Time: 1 Hrs hike from road side

  Lunch at Hotel.

  After lunch drive to Paro over a Dochu-La Pass.

  Evening leisure UMA Paro
• 5 Punakha – Paro
  After breakfast we drive to the north of Paro valley to Ramthangkha, from where we start our hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). Visitors are permitted to hike up to the viewpoint from where they can see the monastery hanging on a cliff. we will obtain the special permit to visit the monastery. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche flew from Eastern Bhutan on a tigress, bringing Buddhist teachings and meditated here in this cliff. This is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world.

  Lunch will be served at Taktsang cafeteria. Walk downhill to the road and enroute visit Drukgyel Dzong (now in ruins), which reveals the reminiscence of ancient architecture and followed by visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gompo, which denotes the spread and emergence of Buddhism in the country.

  Evening at leisure UMA Paro
• 6 Departure
  Drive to Paro Airport for your onward flight.