Tour Details
On arrival, received by your Bhutanese Representative and drive to Thimphu. While in Thimphu, free time to walk around Thimphu town. Evening visit the Tashichhodzong.
TashichhoDzong: Seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo, The Chief Abbot of Bhutan.Overnight in Hotel at Thimphu. Altitude: 2350 mts.
After breakfast sightseeing includes; Kuenselphodrang: a place for refreshing with a huge statue of Buddhaon the top of the Kuenselphodrang. The area also gives a very good view of the Thimphu valley from the west. National Memorial Chorten: Built in 1974 in the honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
After lunch, sight seeing includes: Sangaygang view point:(2685 meters) to have view of whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley.
Folk Heritage Museum: Founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck the museum is one of a kind that portrays the lifestyle of a family in the Thimphu valley in the olden days. This is a three storied, 19th century traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. The museum contains typical Bhutanese household objects, tools and equipments. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.
Morning take a leisure drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula pass at 10,000 ft. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in your permit. Next to the check point you will find small local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale in plastic bags you could try some. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan.
Dochula pass: The most known pass in Bhutan, about 30 km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way to Wangduephodrang. It is at around 3150 M height. On a clear day, spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges can be seen. The pass also has 108 DrukWangyalKhangzangChhortens which is believed brings multi fold merit to all sentient beings and which make the pass a must visit place. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, GangarPunsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world.
Proceed down towards Punakha through Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn left and drive down further. Stop and take a short walk through the villages to ChimmiLhakhang
ChhimiLhakhang: This temple is located on the way to Punakha. This temple is also known as the temple of fertility and was built by Lama DrukpaKuenley in the 15 century. Lama drukpaKuenley is also known as the Devine Madman. The divine madman is a famous teacher with whom the phallic symbol is associated. Do not miss the master’s deeds painted on the walls. Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children.
Afternoon visit majestic Punakha Dzong Punakha Dzong: This Dzong was built by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It is built at the junction the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. The annual PunakhaTsechhu (Festival) is held here. The monk body resides in this dzong in winter. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Punakha. Altitude: 1310 M
Morning visit KhamsumYueling temple through the paddy field a short easy hike and later excursion around the village of Nobgang will be a great day's itinerary. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Punakha. Altitude: 1310 M
Morning drive to Paro via same road, stop at Lamperi and visit Royal Botanical Park for 30 around minutes.
Royal Botanical Park - Situated at an altitude range of 2100 meters - 3800 meters, the park covers an area of 47 square kilometers and is located between Thimphu and Punakha. The park contains a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and features a huge species of plants and animals including endangered species such as Himalayan yew, native Rhododendron, Royal Bengal Tiger, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Blood pheasants and Himalayan Monal. You can also find Tetracentron (an ancient relict angiosperm with no vessel in its trunk) in the park. The park has 14.5 km of trails for eco trek for cycling and walking and one of the main attractions is the rhododendron garden including a picnic spot with children’s playground. If you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species of birds, you can take some photo shot close to the natural lake. In the evening, explore the Paro town.
Paro Town:The town is a stretch of about 250 meters, with rows of shops line the main road built in traditional architecture. Dinner and overnight in Paro. Altitude: 2250 Mts.
After breakfast sightseeing includes; Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest):The Paro Taktshang is one of the country’s most famous tourist attractions. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, and an occasional grove prayer flags. It is said that Guru Padmasambhana, the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan , cam in the form of form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the evil and demon that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT TO DO THE HIKE.
Kyichu Lhakhang: This temple is one of the oldest buddhist temple in Bhutan. The Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo, to consecrate the entire region of Himalaya, in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples. Kyichu Lhakhang is considered to be one of them.
Drukgyel Dzong: This dzong is in ruins now. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as heritage site. The Dzong is situated in Drukgyal, overlooking the beautiful village with Mount Chomolhari in the background. The dzong was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolion warlord, Gushri Khan. Dinner and overnight in Paro. Altitude: 2250 Mts.
After the breakfast drive to Chelela: Chelela Pass: It is the highest point between the Haa valley and Paro valley at an altitude of 3810 m. This place gives a very good view of the Himalayan Mountains, including the mountain Jumolhari. The place also gives good view down towards the Haa valley. A lots of prayer flags flutter in the place. Drive back to Paro. In the evening, explore the town for shopping. Overnight in Paro.
After breakfast, drive to Paro Airport and farewell.
12 March 2023
