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 by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15thThang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464).
- Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo.
Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing:After breakfast, visit to:
- National Postal Museum,
- visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3rdKing, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan),
- Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch visit to:
- Hike to Cheri Monastery (18 kms).
- 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. Visit Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges.
WITNESS THE RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL AT LAM PELRI BOTANICAL GARDEN, DOCHULA. After lunch, witness the festival.
- The Royal Botanical park, a nature reserve rich in flora and fauna and beautiful in itself. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. A Rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is the theme of the botanical garden. Located 30 KMS from capital, the park has numerous view points, a lake and a canteen. At this park, you can indulge yourself amongst these rich biodiversity.
Day 04. Punakha sightseeing:After breakfast visit to:
- Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”,in the year 1499.
- 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.
After lunch, visit to:
- hike to hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
- In the evening, walk the Suspension bridge. The longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 05. Punakha –Wangdiphodrang – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 132 km, Drive Time 4 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Paro via Wangdiphodrang we visit :
- Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. (razed by fire in 2012), now in ruins & under construction,
After lunch, visit to:
- Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
- Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
- Evevening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 06. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m):After breakfast:
- Hike toTaktsang 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.
Day 07. Departure:After breakfast, departure.