Bhutan with Meridien
Bhutan is perhaps the most fascinating of the Himalayan kingdoms. Landlocked by the mighty Himalayan peaks and two of the most populated countries – India & China, Bhutan has been doubly protected from external influences. This resulted in protecting the traditional way of life making it the perfect destination for a luxury tailor made holiday. Bhutan's landscapes are magnificent; monasteries hang over precipitous ridges, often surrounded by mist, and then there are pristine and lush green forests, fertile valleys, and high rugged mountain passes - all of which makes Bhutan an exhilarating destination.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour:
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
- Stay at one best hotels away from the maddening crowd.
- Your own private guide and driver for flexible touring based on your interests
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality and see prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Marvel on structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Experience the beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
Day 1. Paro - Thimphu:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs - 2 hrs, Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional "Tashi Khadar". Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu River. Check-In to the Le Meridien, Thimphu. Le Meridian, Thimphu is a luxury hotel in a traditional building is a 7-minute walk from Memorial Chorten and 6 km from the Buddha Dordenma statue. Rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore the Thimphu valley and town or shop till your heart’s content. You can also choose to pamper yourself at the hotel’s Spa facility – Explore – Spa. Here you can choose to pursue your curiosity with signature treatments such as Four Hand Choreography, Epicurean Body Wrap, Limitless Facial, and Discovery Massage or with traditional treatments ranging from deep tissue to foot, neck, and scalp massages.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Le Meridien Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumambulate around the Chorten.
- Zorig Chusum, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
- Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
Thereafter you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would be taken to
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
- Changangkha Monastery, popular fortress like temple perched on a ridge above Central Thimphu built in 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo.
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
On the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. Today, you can choose to exercise at the Explore Fitness Centre and enjoy striking views of the city and mountains as you exercise.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu - Paro:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs - 2 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
After breakfast and completion of Check Out formalities you are driven to Paro, for your second leg of the tour. On the way to Paro, you would have following options
- Visit Tamchog Lhakhang, located along Paro-Thimphu highway on the base of a mountain across the Pa Chhu river built in the early 15th century by the great iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.
- Spend time by the side of river, to enjoy the natural & non polluted beauty.
After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. After lunch, you would be taken around to 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 Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping. You can choose to spend time in the elegant Hub, Le Merdian’s concept of the lobby where books and magazines of various kinds are kept at their disposal. The area is also equipped with board games of various kind to keep one engaged. The nearby Latitude bar can serve as an interesting escape for coffee or a drink. You would also enjoy a special ‘sundowner’ ritual performed during the evening. Experience the transition from day to night with the lighting of the lamps and candles.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 4. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
You would then be driven back to your hotel so that you can enjoy the outstanding outside deck which gives a compelling view of the Himalaya and the river. You could also take a leisurely stroll in the outside lawn in the riverfront or even go near the river to get up-close view of the marvellous Himalayan beauty at hand.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 5. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.