Thimphu – 2N, Punakha/Wangdue 2N, Paro – 2N
Day 01: Paro Airport – Thimphu
(Distance: 65 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.)
After completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be met by your Bhutanese Guide and get transferred to Capital City of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute stop at Chuzom, confluence of Thimphu (Wang Chhu) and Paro (Pa Chhu) rivers. Here you will see three Stupas, built in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese style. On arrival in Thimphu, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast you would be taken for tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck circumambulated by people offering prayers; Folk Heritage Museum, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle and artefacts from the rural households; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Thimphu and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing – Punakha / Wangdue
(Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)
After breakfast you would visit School of Arts & Crafts popularly known as Zorig Chusum; Simtokha Dzong, one of the first of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s Dzong or fortress built in 1629, Coronation Park, a popular picnic spot with a giant statute of Buddha and Bhutan Postal Museum showcasing the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. Later in the day you will be driven to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to get the permit stamped which is to be returned in your return journey. Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. From here on a clear sunny day, you get a magnificent view of the Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Later check in at the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.
Day 04: Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa, Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys, Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built above the Po Chhu River, Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs of Bhutan located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Chimi Lhakhang also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “Devine Mad Man”. It is a short hike of around 30 – 45 minutes. Punakha is also one of the few places in Bhutan which offers white rafting facility, which can be done on direct payment basis. (Please let the guide know a day in advance in case you want to do rafting the next day). Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue
Day 05: Punakha / Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing
(Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)
After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro. Enroute stop at Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi Bhutan’s first botanical park. Later continue your drive to Paro. On the way again stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit which was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also known as the Iron bridge builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Paro Valley built in 1951 now converted into national museum; Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646; walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, also known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge is a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100m in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The hike to the Monastery takes about 5 – 6 hours to complete. As the hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep coupled with stiff stairs, it is not recommended to take the hike with small children and elderly people. On the way back visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 07: Excursion to Chele La Pass & Haa Valley
(Distance: 65 kms. One way / Driving Time: 3 hrs., Altitude of Haa Valley – 2,700 mts)
After breakfast, you would be taken for an excursion to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan and separates Paro Valley and the Haa Valley. From here you can also see Paro Valley on side and Haa Valley on the other. Later continue your drive to Haa Valley. Here visit 7th century Lhakhang Karpo also known as White temple, Lhakhang Nagpo also known as Black temple and Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong. Later return back to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Day 08: Paro Airport
After breakfast you would be dropped at the Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!