General Information
Duration: 8 days/ 7 nights
Start/ End: Paro/ Paro
Time: 13th December 2019
Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Paro
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 (11th Dec): Paro Arrival – Transfer to Thimphu
Day 2 (12th Dec): Thimphu Sightseeing
Day 3 (13th Dec): Transfer from Thimphu to Punakha – Druk Wangyal Festival
Day 4 (14th Dec): Punakha Sightseeing
Day 5 (15th Dec): Transfer from Punakha to Paro
Day 6 (16th Dec): Paro Sightseeing
Day 7 (17th Dec): Transfer from Paro to Thimphu – Return Paro
Day 8 (18th Dec): Paro Departure
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Transfer to Thimphu
Looking outside with the superb view of the entire Paro Valley along with the breathtaking view of the Himalayas before taking off the airport. After completing all the immigration procedures, our representative will be waiting to warmly welcome you escort you to Paro.
After lunch, head out to enjoy sightseeing in Paro. You will visit the Ta Dzong Museum which is home to many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts relating to Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. After that, head to Rimpong Dzong in order to see the amazing painting of the great saint Milarepa who, in the Bhutanese belief, is the master of meditation attaining enlightenment in a lifetime. Then you will take a drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu River.
Later, in the evening, your guide will show you an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette before dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
Today, you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Thimphu. Head to the wonderful Buddha Dordenma Statue that was made of bronze and gilded in gold and visit the National Memorial Chorten to admire the paintings and statues depicting the Buddhist faith as well as indulge your soul in the sacred atmosphere. You then pay a visit to the 12th century Changangkha Temple; the Tashichho Dzong where converges some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body; and the National Library, home to the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century.
After spending a whole day on a sightseeing trip in Thimphu, you are then transferred to your hotel and have dinner. The rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Transfer from Thimphu to Punakha – Druk Wangyal Festival
Finally, it comes. After breakfast, you then leave Thimphu behind to up to Dochula pass (3.100 m) to attend the impressive Druk Wangyal Tshechu. Setting amidst the spectacular backdrop of the Himalayan mountain, the festival is an opportunity for you to both experience the Bhutanese tradition & culture and get a first-hand look at the stunning view surrounding. It is different from other Tshechus which are mainly performed by monks and laymen, the Druk Wangyal is run by the Royal Bhutan Army.
After the festival, you then transfer to the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi and have some time to join in a sightseeing trip there.
Once in Punakha, have dinner and the rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Punakha Sightseeing
Today, you will spend the whole day in Punakha, an ancient capital city of Bhutan, for a sightseeing day trip. After breakfast, head to Punakha Dzong – Palace of Great Happiness which is considered the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu River; hence, you can both enjoy the beauty of the Dzong and the natural attraction surrounding.
After lunch, take a relaxing walk to the nearby temple of the Drukpa Kuenly, Chimi Lhakhang. Once there, you will absolutely amaze at the temple by its outside look with several phallic paintings on the wall and many wooden phalluses inside. It might be weird but keep in mind that the temple refers to fertility.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Transfer from Punakha to Paro
This morning, you will take a drive to Yabesa village. En route, just look at the scenery outside and have a pretty drive. You then hike through the rice fields and up to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten standing regally on the hill above the Punakha Valley, which is home to many paintings belonging to Nyungmapa Tradition. Today, you will have a picnic lunch on a picturesque riverside that, absolutely, give you an exciting feeling as you both enjoy lunch and admire the natural beauty around.
Then, drive to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest one in Bhutan, converging the Institute for Language and Culture studies.
Later, once in Paro, check-in your hotel and have dinner. The rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast, you are now full of energy to begin the 6th day in Bhutan. Hike up to The Taktsang Goemba, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the main attractions in Paro. Spending about 2 hours uphill (if you cannot hike, you will be arranged a horse for transferring up to the viewing point), then the view of Monastery will widely open. Stop for a while, keep your camera handy, and have lots of stunning photos before continuing to head to the monastery.
In the afternoon, drive to the ancient 17th century Drukgyel Dzong built by the Shabdrung with the aim of commemorating his victory against Tibetans in 1644. On a clear day, you will have a chance to witness the magnificent view of the Jomolhari mountain. One the way back to Paro, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo.
In day 6, you can have an alternative option to spending on a day trip in Haa Valley which is considered one of the most picturesque destinations in Bhutan.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Transfer from Paro to Thimphu – Return Paro
Having early breakfast, then take a drive and we will head to Thimphu to marvel at the National Day celebrations at Changlimithang ground and bump into the locals.
After many fascinating cultural and sporting activities, your final day in Bhutan will end with a Tashi Lebay praying.
Drive back to Paro and the rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Paro Departure
Time to say goodbye Bhutan. Enjoy your last time in Bhutan with breakfast in a cafeteria, then wander around the city, do some shopping, or just simply take it easy and vividly recall the beautiful time that I had in such an incredible country. Before 2 hours when your return flight launched, our representative will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the international airport. The trips end, hope we can serve you next time when it comes to Bhutan vacation packages.
