Day 01 : Arrive Paro by Druk Air
Druk Air flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival, you will be received by our representative at the airport and transferred to Thimphu (1 hour 30 minutes to Thimphu), the capital of Bhutan, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02 : Thimphu / Punakha ( 75 Km, 2.1/2 Hours )
After breakfast, you will do some sightseeing in Thimphu, which includes visit to Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and King’s Throne room. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Then visit National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.
Then you will visit the Painting School, which is famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see students at work producing intricate designs on cloth. Next you will visit the Traditional Medicine Institute, where centuries of old healing arts still practiced. Later you will visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
After lunch, you will visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s Third King who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
In the evening, we will drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,050m) and stay overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day 03 : Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro ( 150 Km, 5 Hours )
After breakfast, you will visit Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan. This will be followed by a visit to the local market and Khamsum Namgyal Chorten, a newly built stupa.
Then drive to Wangdiphodrang to visit the Dzong and see the local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. After lunch, we will drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. Later enroute, we will visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 04 : Paro
After breakfast, you will visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom which holds fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then we will walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.
After lunch, we will drive to north of Paro valley to vist the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. From this fort Bhutanese repelled several Tibetan invasions. Next you will visit the traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.
While returning to Paro town, you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.
Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 05 : Paro Depart
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.