Fly into Paro Valley on our national carrier, Drukair. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane – a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. After completion of all airport formalities you will be transferred to your hotel in Paro.

In the afternoon visit Kyichu Lhakhang. King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet built this temple in 659 AD. It is believed to be holding down the left foot of a demon whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of Eastern Tibet. This Lhakhang contains a 5 meter-high statue of Guru Rinpoche and another of Tara, who represents one of the wives of King Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan.

If time permits, explore Paro town, either accompanied, or on your own. Please note that your personal guide and chauffer will be at your beck and call as and when you need his/her assistance. He/she will be just a phone call away (use the phone which will be provided to you upon arrival).

A welcome dinner will be served, Overnight Paro.

Drive to Thimphu, a journey of approximately 1.5 hrs. On arrival check in to your hotel in Thimphu. Spend the remainder of the day on a tour exploring some of Thimphu’s many sites which include the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who passed away in 1972. Also visit Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu valley, the National Library featuring an extensive collection of Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format, with some works several hundred years old, the School of Traditional Arts and the Folk Heritage Museum.

In the late afternoon, visit impressive fortress Tashichoedzong, ‘The Fortress of the Glorious Religion’. The Dzong houses some of the Ministries, His Majesty’s Secretariat, and the Central Monk Body. Overnight Thimphu.

After breakfast begin you drive to Punkaha, a distance of approximately 72 kilometres. The road climbs to Dochu La Pass, located 3,050 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level and marked by a large array of prayer flags and 108 chortens. On a clear day the pass offers a panoramic view of the Bhutan Himalayas. You will have the best chance of a view in the early morning between October and February. On arrival check in at Hotel in Punakha.

Following lunch visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan. The Shabdrung died in 1651 while he was in meditation at Punakha Dzong, and his body is preserved in one of the Dzong’s temples. Punakha Dzong is the winter headquarters of the Central Monastic Body headed by the Je Khenpo. The Central Monastic Body shifts to Punakha for the winter and back to Thimphu for the summer. The three-storied main temple of the Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. The coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck, the First King of Bhutan, took place at Punakha Dzong in 1907.

Overnight at Punakha.

Enjoy a morning visit to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, perched high on a hill on the opposite bank of the Mo Chhu (Female River). Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck had the three-storied chorten built for the protection of the country. It was consecrated at the end of 1999. The monument is situated an half an hour’s walk from the road amidst an idyllic rural farming area. It is renowned for its beautiful paintings featuring incredibly complex iconography.

After lunch visit Chimi Lhakhang, approximately a 20-minute walk from the road at Sopsokha. Lama Drukpa Kunley, ‘The Divine Madman’, built the temple in 1499. He subdued the demon of Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang. If time permits we can drive further east to visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel founded this Dzong in 1638. It sits atop a high ridge between the Punak Chhu and the Dang Chhu.

Drive to Paro, a journey of approximately 4 hours. On arrival check in to Hotel in Paro. Overnight at Paro.

Drive to the foothill of Taktsang Monastery. There are two options available to enable you to reach Taktsang Monastery (Please note that riding pony downhill is not recommended). You can either choose to ride a pony or hike. It takes approximately one and a half hours uphill to reach the Taktsang cafeteria overlooking the magnificent Monastery perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the floor of the Paro valley. From here it is about another hour to a lookout point beside the monastery.

Taktsang means ‘tiger’s lair/nest’. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress. Guru Rinpoche then meditated in a cave for three months and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. According to Bhutanese tradition, the tigress was a form taken by one of Guru Rinpoche’s consorts for the occasion.
After lunch visit the Rinpung Dzong, also known as ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro, and features beautiful architecture and ancient frescos. If you wish, you can also enjoy an exploration of Paro Town at leisure. Overnight Paro.

After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destination.

End of Service and Tashi Delek