| Duration: | 6 Day(s) - 5 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Culture Tours |
Day 1: Arrival Paro, Paro to Thimphu
Arrive Paro by Druk Air, the only national carrier. The flight offers you a view of mountains and landscapes. Upon arriving in the Paro Valley and after completing visa formalities, you will be met by Gawaling Tours & Treks’ representative at the airport.
Visit Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century, as a watchtower to defend Paro Dzong and the Paro valley. The fortress was later converted into the National Museum in 1968 by the Third King. It has a rich collection of antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and Bhutan’s renowned postage stamps. Below the Ta Dzong, is the fascinating Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels, which is the seat of the Paro district built-in 1645 by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyal. Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The journey would take us one and half hours. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive over the DochuLa pass in the morning. On clear weather, we can see around 200 miles of Himalayan summits bordering northern Bhutan.
As we descend from the pass, we will notice that the vegetation changes from sub-alpine to sub-tropical. At the lower elevation, we can see banana plants, cactus, and other semi-tropical plants, and the green terraced rice fields of Punakha.
We begin our explorations of Punakha valley with a visit to Punakha Dzong, located between two rivers. It serves as the winter residence for the central monastic body.
Next, visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and then take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley ” Divine Madman” known for his outrageous behavior. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Punakha to Thimphu
After breakfast Drive towards Thimphu.
Visit, # Traditional handmade Paper Factory # Mini Taken zoo # Handicraft Emporium # Memorial Chorten # Buddha Point # Thimphu Tashichho Dzong # Visit Souvenir shops. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 4: Thimphu to Paro
Drive towards Paro, Visit, Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest monasteries built in Bhutan by the King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, and the most sacred monasteries of Bhutan.
Then, we drive towards the north to see the Drukgyel Dzong, in ruins. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1649 to commemorate a victory over the Tibetan forces. Unfortunately, the fortress was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt. On clear weather, we will be able to see Mt. Chomolhari from the Drukgyal Dzong. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 5: Hike to Tiger's Nest
Paro is a valley of religion and myth. The most famous landmark, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 800m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery is considered a national treasure of Bhutan.
The hike to Taktsang would take us around two and half hours. To reach a cafeteria, a point from where one can enjoy a great view of the monastery is more than an hour's walk from the road-head uphill. Those interested can walk further 45 minutes uphill to get a closer view of the monastery and return to the cafeteria for lunch. The journey downward to the road-head would take us less than one and half hours.
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for departure.
These Minimum Daily rates are inclusive of the following services :
. All private transfer & transportation during the tour in a 4x4 deluxe vehicle
. Proficient English-speaking guide.
. Tours & excursions as mentioned in the program.
. All entrance fees for museums & monuments.
. Twin sharing accommodations in govt. approved hotels with full board.
. Govt. Royalty of per person/night.
. All Govt. Taxes.
Not Included:
. Personal expenses, laundry, drinks etc
. Tips to guide and driver
. Horse ride to Tiger's nest
. Flight Fare
