Discover Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is also known as The Last Shangrila. This wonderland nestled in the Himalayas is the seat of Happiness, Peace and Harmony. The sacred monasteries that sit on sheer cliffs, the monks in red robes who chant through the day and night, the fluttering prayer flags give this Kingdom an aura that comes from another time. To the local people traditional values, environmental preservation and good governance takes precedence over material things. It is the travel world’s best kept secret. Bhutan can be best described as Beautiful, friendly and Nature.
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.
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses including Tashichhodzong
- First hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Untouched Buddhist Culture.
- Village houses and rural life
- Hike through pine forests to visit "Tiger's Nest"
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 hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine. Afternoon at leisure. Later in the day visit:
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. You can enjoy magnificent few of Thimphu Town from this place.
- 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.
Later you are driven back to the hotel. Enjoy a traditional cultural show arranged for you later in the evening. During the show you could also join in to get a feel of an important aspect of Bhutan.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing - Paro:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs - 2 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin here (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
- 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. Later in the day you would be taken to
- 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 then transferred to Paro. You would be driving past the river for most of the route. After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 3. 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. Post lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo
- Ta Dzong (If time permits), an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Later in the day, you would then drive to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 4. 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