Day 1
Arrive Paro |
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On arrival in Paro you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Tiger Nest resort, set in pine trees in direct view of the most famous Buddhist monastery in the Himalayas (Tiger's Nest). Paro is set within a beautiful valley, through which you will have flown as you landed at Paro airport (currently the only airport in Bhutan). The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7300m) situated to the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu, the river that flows through the town.
Meals:
(Dinner)
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Day 2
In Paro |
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Sightseeing in Paro today includes a visit to the northern part of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong ruins (Monastery Fortress) that once was a strategic post to withhold invading Tibetan forces from the north. Built in 1649 the the Dzong was said to have housed the finest armoury in the country. Check out the intriguing pictures on the walls of the village houses as you approach the ruins. Visit the famous Kyichu Lhakhang- one of 108 sacred Lhakhangs built by the Buddhist King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet. Visit the district Dzong called Rinpung Dzong- fortress of a mountain of jewels, which is now the seat of administration, an institute to the monks and the site of the city's Tsechus. The Natural History Museum at Ta Dzong is one of the finest in Asia and the cantilver bridge that leads up to it is an excellent spot for a photo.
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(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
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Day 3
In Paro then by car to Thimphu |
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Today you will hike up to the Tiger's Nest known as Taktsang- one of the most spectacular and most sacred pilgrim sites to all Buddhists. One of the great founders of Tantric Buddhism- Guru Padmasambhava is known to have flown on a tigress to meditate on the cliffs - the tigress being his consort, the divine Yeshe Tsogyel. The Tiger's Nest is popular with locals who are legally obliged to wear national dress to visit it. After this you will be driven to Thimphu. the drive takes just over an hour and the road follows the valley with some spectacular scenry en route. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Thimphu is a bustling town on the banks of the Thimpu Chhu and set gloriously in the hills of the Thimpu valley. Since the 1950's it has been the seat of the Royal (and now parlimentary) government and is home to several foreign missions and development organisations. It also has Bhutan's only golf course; a nine-hole circuit situated next to the magnificent Dzong.
Meals:
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Day 4
In Thimphu |
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Early this morning you will take a hike to old Tango and Cheri monasteries; Afternoon visits to the Thimphu General Post Office; School of Thangka Painting and Mask Making; traditional crafts in silver and gold. We also highly recommend a visit to the Folk History Museum. Founded by Her Majesty the Queens Mother Ashi Dorj Wangamo Wangchuck, the museum is a fascinating look at the life of a genteel family in the Thimpu valley several centuries ago.
Meals:
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Day 5
In Thimphu |
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Morning visits to the Kings Memorial Chorten; the handmade Paper Factory and the Archery Grounds where Bhutan's national sport of Archery can be witnessed. Afternoon visit the local Handicrafts Centre and the Traditional Medicine Hospital, then stroll through town. The capital is the centre of Bhutan's rapid growth and the outskirts show significant construction work. But the importance of the national identity is shown by the many people wearing national dress and the compete absence of western style advertising.
Meals:
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Day 6
By car from Thimphu to Punakha |
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Early morning drive over the 10,000 ft pass of Dochu La to view the stunning scenery of the Himalayan ranges; descend to the old winter capital of Punakha; visit Wangdi Phodrang Valley; overnight at the Hotel. Punakha Dzong was built by Zhabdrung in 1637 and stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers that flow through the valley. It is open to vistors during the Punakha Tshechu and during the summer months when the monk body relocates to Thimpu.
Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (chief Abbot) and the monk body. It has a temperate climate and its rich, fertile valley is fed by two rivers; the Pho Chu and the Mo Chu.
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(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 7
By car from Punakha to Bumthang |
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Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa-the biggest Dzong in Bhutan and the seat of power in 19th century Bhutan; walk to the Watchtower Ta Dzong that once guarded the Dzong below. Trongsa forms the hub of the Kingdom and is historically the place from where atempts to unify the country were launched. Continue the drive to Bumthang valley; Overnight at the Hotel.
Meals:
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
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Day 8
In Bumthang |
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Bumthang is considered heartland of the nation, the most sacred & religious of all the valleys in Bhutan and home to some of the oldest Buddhist Temples and monasteries. In Jakar view the Dzong known as the White Bird Dzong. The Bumthang Tshechu is one of the most popular in Bhutan. It is held mostly at night and is said to bring fertility to any woman wanting a child. Later drive to the Flaming Lake - Membartsho- where the sacred religious treasures were found in the 15th century by Terton Pemalingpa -the Treasure Finder and reincarnation of the eminent Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava. The lake is considered very sacred to the Bhutanese people although western visitors, without the religious context, may not be overly impressed.
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Day 9
By car from Bumthang to Punakha |
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Drive back to Punakha with a picnic lunch en route. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
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Day 10
By car from Punakha to Thimphu to Paro |
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Drive to Thimphu and visit Simotkha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the Kingdom. After lunch continue the journey to Paro. Transfer to the hotel.
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Day 11
Depart Paro |
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Your day is at leisure until your departure. Relax and enjoy the spectacular view of the valley or explore the town centre, dominated by shops and houses, all built to traditional Bhutan design.
You will be transferred to Paro airport for your exit flight
Meals:
(Breakfast)
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