Marvels of Bhutan
On the edge of the great Himalayas to the northeast of India lies a Buddhist country which is rapidly becoming the envy of other tourist spots in Asia. Welcome to Bhutan – the happiest place on Earth! Often considered an offbeat destination to include in your itinerary, Bhutan can surprise you with all that it has to offer. The one word that describes the country's beauty is 'pure'. There is something untouched about Bhutan, almost as if it is stuck in time. There is no commercial explosion here, unlike other hills stations like Shimla or Nepal. The mountains are filled with greenery, water flows without any obstruction and the eyes are in for a visual treat.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour:
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue is located in the same valley. These two places are located within a distance of 13 km. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 - The valley is fed by the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers - It is one of very few places in Bhutan which offers Rafting facilities - It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body at present.
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses.
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality and see the prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Marvel at structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
- The must visit Dochula Pass and the Druk Wangyal Chhortens.
Day 1. Paro-Thimphu:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs - 2 hrs, Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu (River). Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine. Later in the day, you are taken to visit:
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumambulate around the Chorten.
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
Later you are driven back to the hotel. Enjoy a traditional cultural show arranged for you later in the evening. During the show you could also join in to get a feel of an important aspect of Bhutan.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing - Punakha/Wangdue:
Driving Distance: 76 Kms, Driving time: 2.50 hrs - 3 hrs, Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After an early breakfast you would visit
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park..
- Zorig Chusom, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
- Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin here (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
Thereafter, you are taken to your hotel for lunch. Post lunch, you would be transferred to Punakha/Wangdue. On the way, after roughly an hour’s drive, you would stop at
- Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
You would drive through curvy, mountainous road, patches of which are being repaired. Owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. The drive from Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula leads from cool heights of Thimphu to balmy, lush landscapes of Punakha. After arrival at Punakha, check in to the hotel. Later you are taken to:
- Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. The bridge is high on Mountain River and is perfect for those who wish to get their heart pumping with excitement. It connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong with the smaller villages surrounding the Punakha town. The view from the bridge is very stunning and spectacular.
Finally, you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 3. Punakha/Wangdue-Paro:
Driving Distance: 135 Kms, Driving time: 4.50 hrs - 5 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
After breakfast, you would check out of the hotel and first visit:
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan)
- Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley
Thereafter, you are driven Paro for the final leg of the tour. Lunch would be served enroute. Till you reach Thimphu, you would drive through the same route which you took which driving to Punakha. Again owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Later, you would be taken around to visit
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Finally, you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 4. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic lunch among the woods. Post lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo
Later in the day, you have an option of being driven to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 5. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek