05A - 5 N / 6 D - Thimphu - 3N with Day Excursion to Punakha / Wangdue, Paro - 2N
05A - 5 N / 6 D - Thimphu - 3N with Day Excursion to Punakha / Wangdue, Paro - 2N
Day 01: 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 Capital City of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute stop at Chuzom, confluence of Thimphu (Wang Chhu) and Paro (Pa Chhu) rivers. Here you will see three Stupas, built in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese style. On arrival in Thimphu, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast you would be taken for tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck circumambulated by people offering prayers; Folk Heritage Museum, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle and artefacts from the rural households; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Thimphu and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu - Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing – Thimphu
(One Way - Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha. Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. It is a short hike of around 30 - 45 minutes. Later, visit Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers. Later you would be driven back to Thimphu. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu - Paro Sightseeing
(Distance: 65kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)
After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also known as the Iron bridge builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646; Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Paro Valley built in 1951 now converted into national museum; Nemi Zam Bridge, also know as Nya Mey Zam Bridge is a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong and Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100m in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. 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. On the way drive past Drukgel Dzong, a Buddhist monastery built by Tenzin Drukdra in 17th century to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese over the invaders from Tibet it is now in ruins. At present renovation of the Dzong is under progress. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Paro Airport
After breakfast you would be dropped at the Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!
