DAY 1Arrive Paro & Thimphu, Bhutan Welcome to Bhutan. Arrive at Paro airport, where you are met by your driver and guide.
Drive through spectacular mountain scenery and serene countryside to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Sandwiched in the heart of the Himalayas, Thimphu is a small, charming capital city. All the buildings are constructed and painted in the traditional Bhutanese style. Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the loving memory of their late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, it has a multi‐storied Stupa and will provide you with rare insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Arrive at your hotel in Thimphu by late afternoon.
Hotel Taj Tashi, Thimphu
DAY 2Full Day Thimphu Sightseeing This morning take a hike to either Tango or Cheri Goemba for magnificent views.
This afternoon, drive to the BBS Tower viewpoint in Sangaygang. Visit the Mini Zoo to see a takin, the national animal of Bhutan, the National Library, with its vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Arts and Crafts School to see young children learning the ancient craft of painting. (B)
Hotel Taj Tashi, Thimphu
DAY 3Thimphu to Punakha Today drive to Punakha, en route stopping at Dochula Pass (10,500 ft.) for of one of Bhutanʹs most breathtaking views – a plethora of colorful rhododendron blossoms and soft green wild herbs and forest trees dot a canvas of alpine snow.
Visit the newly built “Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens”, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyel Khangzang Chortens that spiral up to a main monument Chorten. These chortens (the Tibetan term for stupas), are a new landmark for travelers as they cross Dochula into the interior of the country.
Late afternoon you descend into Punakha, nestled in a fertile valley, it was once Bhutan’s winter capital because of its more temperate climate. (B, D)
Zangtho Pelri Hotel, Punakha
DAY 4Punakha to Paro Today journey to Paro, en route visiting Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 as both the religious and the administrative center of the country. Next, explore the sacred Chimi Lhakhang Monastery, built by Lama Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman.” It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving ʺmewangʺ (blessing).
Next, drive through the Wangdue Valley and pass by Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 as a fortress, today it is a theological university. Arrive in Paro by late afternoon. (B)
Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro
DAY 5Full Day Paro Sightseeing This morning depart for a day hike to the enchanting ʺTigerʹs Nest”, the Taktsang Monastery viewpoint. Built around a cave where the Guru Rinpoche meditated, this monastery seems to cling impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. The hike is challenging but thrilling and mystical. And although the main building was destroyed by fire in 1998, it was reconstructed in 2000. (Transport by pony is available if you do not wish to hike.)
Later drive to see the old ruined fortress of Drukgyel Dzong, see Kyichu Lhakhang (built in 659) and Satsam Chorten. Visit Ta Dzong’s National Museum with its collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles and weapons; and explore Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, one of the most celebrated Dzongs in Bhutan. (B)
Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro
DAY 6Depart Paro Today you are taken to the airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)
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