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Paro · Thimphu · Bhutan
4 Nights / 5 Days Unfold Mystical Bhutan
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From $6,194.62 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Bhutan or the “Land of the Peaceful Dragon” is a country of sprawling forests, venerated monasteries, overpowering fortresses; lush green valleys fed by bountiful rivers and age-old practices. Cultivated fields surrounded by pitched roof houses with their typical trefoil-shape windows and Dzongs (fortresses) dominate the scenery with their sheer size. Its people are hardworking, vibrantly attired and deeply religious while the land is immaculate. Undoubtedly, Bhutan is home to many spiritual dzongs, fortresses and monasteries and this itinerary is ideal for many tourists wanting to visit these hermitages and interact with the monks and residents within a stipulated time. Out of the many breathtaking sights one of the most striking is the Taktsang Monastery that is suspended on the side of a vertical cliff 3000m north of Paro. Also known as Tiger’s Nest, it is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. A pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals, keeping the spirituality aside, it is moreover a hiker’s delight. Hiking up to a wooden teahouse provides you a close view of the monastery and is a complete joy for photographers.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Hike to Tiger’s Nest or take a pony ride till the viewpoint
- Enjoy picnic lunch at an outdoor setting
- Witness panoramic Himalayan views from Dochula Pass and hang prayer flags here
- Indulge in a game of archery, the national sport of Bhutan
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Paro
Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu. Distance: 53 km/ 32 miles. Drive Time: 1 hour approx. On arrival at the Paro International Airport, our representative will receive and escort you to the hotel in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes you through the winding road with lots of beautiful hamlets.
Continued
Paro
Sightseeing at Simtokha Dzong. Visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. According to a legend, Simtokha Dzong was constructed to subdue an evil spirit, that was harassing the people in the region, and to guard the place. Simtokha is believed to be the first dzong built in Bhutan and is the gateway to Thimphu Valley.
Continued
Paro
Sightseeing at Tashichho Dzong. Later visit Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. Once in Thimphu visit Tashichho Dzong. This dzong is an impressive building also known as ‘the fortress of the Dharma Raja’. It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi, the head of Bhutan’s civil government.
Continued
Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2
Paro
Sightseeing at Dochula Pass. Day excursion to Punakha. Distance: 76kms/ 47 miles. Drive Time: 3 hours approx. (each way) Today we will drive to Punakha, en route we will visit Dochula Pass and upon reaching Punakha we will visit Chimi Lakhang and Punakha Dzong. On the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the Dochula Pass offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range, especially on clear winter days.
Continued
Punakha
Sightseeing at Chimi Lhakhang. Chimi Lhakhang flanked with hundreds of prayer flags sits on a round hillock near Punakha. The monastery, built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as ‘the Divine Madman’ or the ‘Mad Saint”. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and carved wooden phalluses on house tops.
Continued
Punakha
Sightseeing at Punakha Dzong. The majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’ is the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Constructed on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire ox year in 1673, the Punakha dzong was the administrative center and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. Drive back to Thimphu and transfer to your hotel.
Continued
Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3
Paro
Local Flavor. Sightseeing in Thimphu and later drive to Paro. Distance: 53 km/ 32 miles. Drive Time: 1 hour approx. After breakfast at the hotel, visit Folk heritage museum, Institute of traditional medicine, Memorial Chorten, National Library of Bhutan in Thimphu. Drive to Paro once in Paro visit The National Museum of Bhutan and Paro Dzong. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a 19th century three-storied traditional building and was established in 2001. The museum houses different tools, materials, objects, equipment and artifacts from rural Bhutanese households and gives a good insight of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. National Institute of Traditional Medicine: Established in 1988, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine strives to merge the allopathic and traditional systems of healing. The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten is a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery with golden spires and bells. It is a popular landmark and one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu. The National Library of Bhutan is a four-storied eight-cornered traditional building, which looks like the central tower temple of a Bhutanese Dzong. After the sightseeing in Thimphu, drive to Paro. In Paro visit the National Museum of Bhutan and Paro Dzong. The National Museum of Bhutan is a unique circular building also known as Ta-dzong which is an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong.
Continued
Paro
Sightseeing at Rinpung Dzong. Paro Dzong, also known as Ringpung Dzong means ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels’. This impressive dzong is the finest example of Bhutanese architecture and is one of the most popular and well known dzongs in Bhutan.
Continued
Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4
Paro
Hiking at Paro Taktsang. Today we will hike to Taktsang Monastery and later visit Kyichu Lakhang. Taktsang Monastery: Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ is the most famous and an unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in a cave here for three months and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which Guru Padmasambhava meditated. Taktsang Monastery is a pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals. The journey up to the monastery is filled with spiritual bliss. Keeping this spirituality aside, the journey up to Taktsang Monastery is also a hiker’s delight. An hour hike up to a small wooden teahouse called Cafeteria provides a close view of the monastery. A further and a rather challenging hike will lead you to the glorious Taktsang Monastery. Or If you have difficulty walking, a pony ride can be arranged which will take you till the second view point only. The pony ride is a one-way trip (this is recommended if you are not in great physical shape or have issues with altitude) and you have to make your way down the mountain by foot.
Continued
Paro
Sightseeing at Kyichu Lhakhang. Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang: Located close to the Paro Airport, the Kyichu Lhakhang is an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. Built in the 7th century, this is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites in Bhutan.
Continued
Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5
Paro
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
All necessary arrival and departure transfers All the sightseeing tour and transfers as per the itinerary with English speaking guide by private vehicle Bhutan Visa Fees Tourism development fee & Entrance fee in Bhutan Extra activities highlighted in the above program
Not Included
International airfare. [Will be quoted separately] Insurance and rescue of any form Items of personal nature such as bar bills, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone calls, extra mileage, personal gratuities as tips to guide, porters, drivers, etc. Personal insurance policy - suggested comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, thefts, illness, accidents, and hospitalization Excess baggage Gratuities, tipping to guides and drivers Expenses incurred by re-routing, inclement weather, floods, famine, political disruptions, strikes, riots, and other disturbances Any items and services not mentioned on cost inclusions
Meeting & Pickup
Paro International Airport in Bhutan.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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