If skies are clear during your early morning flight from Bangkok to Paro, you’ll be treated to views of the massive eastern Himalaya peaks, including Kangchenjunga, which at 28,169 feet is the world’s third-highest mountain, and 24,035-foot Chomolhari, Bhutan’s holy mountain. Upon your arrival in Paro you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim, where you will collect your checked bags, clear customs and continue to the arrivals hall. Here, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide with a big Kuzuzangpola and a white scarf.

From the airport you will head straight out to Thimphu following the course of Pachhu and Wangchhu rivers. Thimphu is home to the government, royal family, and the head offices of international aid organizations. Local shops entice with traditional weavings; Tibetan and Bhutanese silverwork; coral and turquoise beads and prayer flags. A number of cottage industries, including metalworking and paper making are found in Thimphu, and visitors often enjoy visiting their workshops to see artisans practicing their craft. Today’s sightseeing includes the Textile Museum, where Bhutan’s finest weavings and brocades are on display and if time permits School of Zorigchusum where students undergo 4 years training in traditional arts and crafts.

In the evening, stroll and explore the city on foot or shopping in Crafts Bazaar for Bhutanese souvenirs for your loved ones back at home or for your memories in Bhutan. Thimphu is one of the few capitals in the world without any traffic lights and you will observe the dancing policemen controlling traffics. Your lodge for two nights in Thimphu is serenely set on the outskirt of the city in Mutithang.

HOTEL | Zhiwaling Ascent is located just outside the center of the capital city in a park like setting with panoramic views. This contemporary concept hotel, which is the first of its kind in Bhutan, has 20 spacious rooms designed in the most energy efficient way to capture sunlight all day and provides superb views of the surrounding scenery. Like its sister hotel in Paro, it is wholly Bhutanese owned and operated

In the morning drive up to see the tallest seated Buddha statue in the world at 51m/169ft height, initiated and built on a prophecy made, facing towards the East, bestowing infinite love and compassion to all sentient beings in the spheres. The statue houses enormous meditational house in the base and two storied chapels on the top floors. You will be fascinated at fine art works crafted by the local artisans. Explore the marvelous shrine inside and the site also offers nice views of the valley below.

You will then drive north of Thimphu to Dodena for about thirty minutes from town. From here you will walk over a typical cantilevered bridge spanning over the Wangchuriver and gradually ascend up through temperate forests of oak, rhododendrons and other species of hard woods trees. Cheri monastery was established as the first monastic school in Bhutan in early 1620’s by ZhabdrungRinpochee, the Unifier of Bhutan in the 17th century. The Monastery serves as the monastic school for study of Buddhist Philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, poetry and many other Buddhist studies. The serene setting and the sanctity of the place here favors one to meditate. Enjoy a delicate picnic lunch afternoon on the way back to the base in Dodena along the bank of the river.

On your way back drop by to visit Choki Handicrafts School where students are learning the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. The students undergo 4 years of skill enhancement and comprehensive training in their specified arts and crafts. We then follow the course of Wangchuriver to your right with National Assembly Hall and Tashichho Dzong in full view. 

Cheri Monastery Hike;

Hike Length: 3.2Kms/2Miles                     

Hike Time: 2 Return

Elevation Gain: 260m/860ft                      

Elevation Loss: 260m/860ft           

In the morning after breakfast at leisure,we will drive towards Punakha via 10,223-foot Dochu La, which in good weather offers 360-degree vistas across 200 miles of Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s tallest peak and some of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world! There are 108 stupas adorning the pass and the scenic spot here offers plenty of opportunities for photography and walks around. And then descend down from the pass to the warmer valleys of Punakha.

Reaching the village of Sopsokha, enjoy an easy hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a small temple, between Wangdi and Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The temple is dedicated to DrukpaKunley, affectionately called the Divine Madman. He is one of Bhutan’s favorite holy men in spite of—or because of—his irreverent methods of teaching the dharma some 500 years ago. There are about 25 young monks undergoing monastic education. They will be happy to come out and play soccer with you!

End your day with the visit to the Wolakha Nunnery mounted over a hilltop with a good view of the surrounding valleys below. The nuns apart from their daily Buddhist studies and meditation also work on appliqué and thangka painting. The shrine inside is dedicated mainly to the God of Compassion, Chenrizig or in Sanskrit known as Avolokiteshvara.

Chimi Lhakhang Hike;

Hike Length: 2Kms/1.2Miles           

Hike Time: 1.5 Hours return easy

Elevation gain: 20m/66ft                

Elevation Loss: 20m/66ft

HOTEL | The Four Boutique Hotel is the right choice for visitors who are searching for a combination of charm, peace, quiet, and a convenient position who wishes to explore. It is a small, comfortable hotel, situated on the valley, Punakha with the excellent view Point of Phunatshang River, in line with scenic view of small Khuruthang town.

Today morning drive down to Hebisa village for an hour hike to KhamsumYueleyNamgyel Chorten. This jewel-like structure can be seen poking through the trees beyond the river. It is dedicated to the current king and was built by his mother. There are several levels, each of which is densely packed with protector deities. There is a roof deck on the top floor which offers spectacular views of the valley. The trail is gradual and takes you through fields of paddies and chilies and during wet months, you will see farmers engaged in their fields plowing with their oxens. We may take chance to render our hands and experience the rural farmer’s living in this part of the remote Himalayan kingdom. We walk back the same route back to Hebisa Bridge from where you will head out to Lakhu campsite by the Mochhuriver for an exclusive picnic lunch.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan until mid-1960s until it was shifted to Thimphu. The valley hosts one of the impressive fortresses in the world. The temperate weather conditions favors for the cultivation of rice, chilies, vegetables and tropical fruits. The Central Monastic Body, presided over by the Chief Abbot of Bhutan comes down to this valley from Thimphu every winter to take advantage of the warmer weather. Afternoon

We will head down to visit the dominant and impressive Punakha Dzong, set at the confluence of the Mo and Po (or “mother” and “father”) Rivers. Built by Shabdrung in 1637, this massive fortress is one of the holiest in Bhutan and holds some of the country’s most sacred relics. Bhutan’s dzongs originally served three purposes: they were fortresses, administrative to the most obvious centers for local government, and a residence for the monks and place for their religious activities. In days of yore—during Tibetan invasion or wars between the valleys— dzongs also acted as strongholds, protecting their vale’s inhabitants. The central monk body moves from Thimphu to Punakha every winter to take advantage of Punakha’s temperate climate. Take your time to explore and admire the architecture and photography time aplenty.

KhamsumYulley Namgyal Stupa Hike;

Hike length: 3Kms/1.8Miles return           

Hike Time: 2 hours return

Elevation Gain: 241m/795ft                      

Elevation Loss: 241m/795ft

Today we drive back to Paro, crossing over Dochula Pass again and following the course of Pachu river make it to Paro, ‘the rice bowl of the country’. Encapsulated by views of massive Himalaya peaks, Paro is a small historic town in western Bhutan with tiny streets and brightly painted wooden shops. The town lies on the banks of the Pa Chu (means “river”), which wends through the bucolic Paro Valley, once the hub for trade with Tibet.

Ascend a short hill up to the most obvious landmarks in the valley, the Ta Dzong, a circular fortress that once protected this valley from Tibetan invasion. The impressive watchtower commands sweeping views of the valley below. It also houses Bhutan’s National Museum, which, since 1968, has been the home of the country’s most cherished relics. Walk down to the great Paro Rimpung Dzong which once barricaded the invasions from Tibetans several times. The University of El Passo in New Mexixo, USA has hired the architecture of this fortress. Explore inside the Dzong and walk down towards the cantilevered bridge spanning over the Pachhuriver. Across the road, there is a Buddhist Art Gallery where local master artisans are seen working on their painting works. You may want to observe and if interested go through their works in the sale room.

HOTEL | Zhiwa Ling Heritage is set on 10 acres in the Paro Valley, within easy reach of Bhutan’s most revered temples and monasteries. From its traditional Bhutanese architecture to its elegant temple made with 450-year-old timbers to its Swedish under-floor heating, the hotel seamlessly combines past and present.

In the morning, drive up to the base of Taktsang to start your hike to this iconic monument, perched on a vertical granite cliff 2000 feet above the valley floor. The legend of Taktsang dates from 747 CE, when Guru Rinpoche, in the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Droloe, arrived here on the back of a tiger and subdued the evil spirits of the region. You drive to the trail head and, like many pilgrims before, hike up a mountain path toward Taktsang. After about one hour of rather steep hiking, you can rest for a while at a small teahouse with wonderful views of the monastery. If you choose to walk another hour, you can get an even closer look from the small chorten directly opposite. The final stretch climbs down—and then back up—700 steps, crossing a gorge over-laced with prayer flags to arrive at the incredible destination. Enjoy the walk and the experience.

In the evening, visit one of the oldest temples in the Himalayan region dating back to 7^th century. Kichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built overnight by King SongstenGampo of Tibet in order to pin down the giant ogress who was obstructing the spreading of Buddhism. You may also want to talk to some older folks who will be seen here most of the time circumambulating the temple and making prayers. They will be happy to talk to you. And then drive down to main town for last minute shopping or stroll around. Enjoy the last night of your Bhutan trip with your new found bonds over a delectable dinner in your lodge.

Tiger’s Nest Temple Hike;

Hike Length: 13.2Km/8.2Miles                 

Hike Time: 5-6 Hours Return

Elevation Gain: 700m/2,300ft                

Elevation Loss: 700m/2,300ft

Your guide and drive will check you into the airport in the morning and bid their farewells from there. We hope you had a wonderful time in Bhutan. TashiDelek& Bon Voyage!