Arrive Paro International Airport, The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. Clear your immigration, collect your baggage and proceed to arrival lounge where our executive will be waiting with the placard in your name. Assisted and directly drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Enroute visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s Iron Bridge builder.
Arrive and check in at the hotel. After a brief rest visit the school of traditional arts. Walk around the town to explore the city’s culture and soak its atmosphere.
Stay for next two nights at Thimphu.
After a leisurely breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Thimphu. Morning visit the Art & Craft School, National library – built in 1967, it has an extensive collection of valuable Buddhist scriptures and manuscripts, Royal goldsmith workshop and Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (from 1928 -1972).
Afternoon visit the 12th century Changangkha Lakhang – the fortress temple is the oldest temple in Bhutan it houses Chenrizig: an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara as the central statue, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" - the national animal of Bhutan. Drive further down to enjoy some magnificent views of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point). End your day with the visit to Tashichho Dzong – traditionally the seat of Druk Desi - the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country and Handicraft centers.
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and proceed to the beautiful valley of Punakha. Enroute stop at Dochula Pass and view point giving you a thrilling views of Himalayan Ranges. Arrive Punakha to check in at the hotel. Arrive and check in at the hotel.
After a brief rest visit, 17th century Punakha Dzong - “The Palace of Great Happiness”. Majestically standing on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the city's dzong is one of the most photogenic of all Bhutan's ancient fortresses. The second oldest dzong of Bhutan is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom from this valley. Later take a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple), situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina is the yellow-roofed Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kunley in his honour after he subdued the demoness of the nearby Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the lhakhang and childless women go to the temple to receive blessings from the saint. Stay Overnight in Punakha.
After an early breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Phobjikha. Enroute Visit Wangdiphodrang Ruin Dzong, perched on a promontory, 13 kilometres from Punakha. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D and holds great historical importance. Drive to Phobjikha valley following the highway to Nobding, at a distance of 40 kilometres. From here you will divert onto a 13-kilometre unpaved track crossing over the Gangtey Pass (3140 m), and then drop into the Phobjikha Valley.
Arrive and check in at the hotel. After a brief rest, proceed to enjoy Phobjikha Nature Hike. The hike starts below Gangtey Goemba. The first part of the walk is downhill, for about 30 minutes, to the Khewa Chu stream that meanders through Phobjikha valley. From Khewa village, the trail leads through open meadows to the Khewa Lhakhang built in 13th century. The temple houses about 30 young monks. Take this opportunity to meet with the Khenpo, head of monastery. Take a short hike to the village of Gophu and visit a Bhutanese farm house for an authentic Bhutanese style Lunch. The walk will end at the village school before reaching the Phobjikha village town.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Phobjikha village or visit Gophu village and return to your hotel.
Stay overnight in Gangtey
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive to Paro. Arrive and check in at the hotel. After a brief rest, proceed to explore Paro. Drive through the beautiful valley to the watch tower locally known as Ta-Dzong. Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) (Opening Hours – whole week - 0900HRS TO 1600HRS & Closed on National Holidays,) which was built in 1651 as a watchtower. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thankha paintings. Take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks and is one of the finest example of Bhutanese Architecture. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town.
Stay for next two nights in Paro.
Note: Kindly note that after September 2011 Earth quake, Ta Dzong (Paro Museum) had been closed and shifted to exhibition hall just above the museum. Now the present exhibition hall will be open throughout the week except for government holidays. All tourists visiting Dzongs and temples must be dressed appropriately. No half pant, sleeve less shirts, floaters, etc are allowed
After an early breakfast, take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for onward connection.