ARRIVAL IN PARO, BHUTAN

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon.Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine.

Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang is also open to tourists . The 169 feet(51m) bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma , Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility will be completed soon. The Buddha statue itself is competed awaiting paintings, but visitors can drive up to the Buddha point and view the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.

National Memorial Chorten which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

Centenary Farmers Market: Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.

THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA

Morning you will drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,150 meters), which on a clear day offers an
incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 2 hrs total
driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most
remote of Himalayan kingdom. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow
to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring
colour.
After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the
Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox
Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that
one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless
couples go to his temple for blessing.

 PUNAKHA

In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley
Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high
on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa
Traditions.Take a picnic lunch on a picturesque riverside after picnic lunch,
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great
Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the “Unifier of Bhutan”. It is situated at the confluence of
the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo
and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story
main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

PUNAKHA TO GANGTEY

The Valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the Gangtey Goempa. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century.

Nature Hike along the valley of Phobjikha Nature Hike along the valley of Phobjikha

Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, which has informative displays about the cranes and the valley environment. You can use the centre’s powerful spotting scopes and check what you see against its pamphlet Field Guide to Crane Behavior.

GANGTEY, CRANE FESTIVAL

In the morning, we join the local in their Crane Festival. The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the Gangtey Goempa. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century.

GANGTEY TO PARO

Morning you will drive back to Paro re-routed via Wangdue/Dochula Pass and Thimphu.

PARO TAKTSANG HIKE

After Breakfast hike to Taktsang monastery.The trail is broad and the walk of 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the paro valley floor.The tigernest built on a sheer cliff face 900meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.The monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists.The great guru Rimpoche is sais to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brough the teaching of the buddhist dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century.He then mediated in a cave there for more than three months where the monastery was later built.On thereturn visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang,oldest templein Bhutan and one of 108 temples built by buddhist Tibetan King.overnight at Hotel .

DEPART PARO

Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to your destination. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments! Tashi Delek!