Bhutan - (Thimpu - Paro – Punakha ) - 07 Nights - 08 Days

Paro Airport - Thimphu (Distance: 65 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.)

After completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be met by your Bhutanese Guide and get transferred to Thimphu. Enroute stop at Chuzom, confluence of Wang Chhu and Pa Chhu rivers. On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast you would be taken for tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, Buddha Statue; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974; Folk Heritage Museum, traditional 3 storied house; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Thimphu and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion.  Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu Sighseeing - Punakha / Wangdue (Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)

After breakfast you would visit School of Arts & Crafts popularly known as Zorig Chusum; Coronation Park, a popular picnic spot with a giant statute of Buddha and Bhutan Postal Museum showcasing the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. Later in the day you will be driven to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan.  Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. From here on a clear sunny day, you get a magnificent view of the Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Later check in at the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa, Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys, Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built above the Po Chhu River, Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs of Bhutan located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Chimi Lhakhang also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, "Devine Mad Man". It is a short hike of around 30 - 45 minutes. Punakha is also one of the few places in Bhutan which offers white rafting facility, which can be done on direct payment basis. (Please let the guide know a day in advance in case you want to do rafting the next day). Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue

Punakha / Wangdue - Paro Sightseeing (Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro.  Later you would be driven to Paro. Enroute stop at Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi, Bhutan’s first botanical park. Later stop at Tamchog Lhakhang.  On arrival at Paro visit Ta Dzong, national museum; Paro Rimpung Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress; walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, a traditional covered cantilever bridge. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast visit TAfter breakfast visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100 mts in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. The hike to the Monastery takes about 5 - 6 hours to complete. As the hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep coupled with stiff stairs, it is not recommended to take the hike with small children and elderly people. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Excursion to Chele La Pass (Distance: 40 kms. One way / Driving Time: 2 hrs., Altitude of Chele La Pass - 3,810 mts)

After breakfast, you would be taken for an excursion to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan and separates Paro Valley and the Haa Valley. From here you can also see Paro Valley on side and Haa Valley on the other. Later return back to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

Paro Airport

After breakfast you would be dropped at the Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!

Notes:

Tigers Nest Monastery or Taktsang Monastery -  Hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep and is a combination of mud path and stiff stairs. It is not recommended to take the hike with small children and elderly people.