Detailed Itinerary
Day 01. Arrive Paro – Thimphu: (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive):
Meet and greet Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, we visit:
- Tamchog Monastery built in 15th century by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15thThang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464).
- Visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing: After breakfast, visit to:
- National Postal Museum,
- visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our Third King, Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan),
- Tallest Statue of Sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 m),
- Changangkha Lhakhang,
- Takin Preserve center,
- Sangaygang view point,
- Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch,
- Hike to Cheri Monastery (drive to cheri 18 kms, hike 1 ½ hours).
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 03. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive):
After breakfast, drive to Punakha.
- Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges.
- Chimi Lhakhang, which was built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The Divine Madman”.
After lunch, visit to:
- Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
- Walk the Suspension bridge across Pho chu River. The longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 04. Punakha Festival: After breakfast, witness the Punakha festival (Full day):
- In the evening, hike to hike to the beautiful Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 05. Punakha Festival: After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day):
Day 06. Punakha –Wangdiphodrang – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 132 km, Drive Time 4 hours):
After breakfast, drive to Paro via Wangdiphodrang.
- Visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. (razed by fire in 2012), now in ruins & under construction,
After lunch in Paro, we visit:
- Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
- Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 07. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m):
After breakfast,
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest built in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay.
- Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 08. Departure: After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
