Bhutan Tour - 5 Nights & 6 Days

After breakfast, fly into Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Airline. The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather. As the plane approaches Bhutan, if you look down, farmhouses as dots on the hillsides can be seen. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it.

Then drive to Thimphu (approx. 01 hr.), the capital town of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence). En-route, visit Simtokha Dzong, officially known as ‘SangkakZabdhonPhodrang’ or the Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras. Built in 1629 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, it is often said to be the first Dzong built in Bhutan and is a gateway to Thimphu Valley. The name Simtokha is derived from the name Sinmo (demoness) and do (stone), the site is said to have been chosen to guard over a demon that had vanished into the rock nearby. It is the first structure that incorporated both monastic and administrative facilities.

Overnight at Hotel [-/L/D]

After breakfast at hotel, start your sightseeing program by visiting the Government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through examples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items made from local materials.

Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). Visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and then on to observe a Bhutanese paper factory at work. This is generally an “outside-only” visit.

Continue on to the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums. These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.

Also, visit the Takin Sanctuary located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, a wildlife reserve area for Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan. It is said that DrukpaKunley or Devine Madman, a popular 15th century saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles a cow from back, a goat from the front, and it continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.

Later in the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong which is located on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, on the western bank of the Wang chu, Bhutan's most stately and arguably the most impressive building. It has traditionally been the seat of the Drukdesi or ‘Dharma Raja’, the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu [B/L/D]

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Punakha which takes approx. 03 hour drive. En-route visit Dochula pass, located 30 km away from the capital offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of Himalaya mountain range, especially on clear winter days. The 108 chortens that adorn the beauty of this place were built by Queen Mother to commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed when fighting the Indian rebels in 2003.

Later take a short hike toChimiLhakhang, located near Lobesa, Punakha stands on a round hillock and is flanked by hundreds of prayer flags. Built in 1499, this monastery is dedicated to Lama DrukpaKinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. An accomplished master of Mahamudra Buddhist Tradition, he is also known as the ‘Mad Saint’ for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre and strong sexual overtones and inclinations.

Also, visit the Punakha Dzong, also known as PungtangDechenPhotrangDzong (meaning ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’) is the administrative center of Punakhadzongkhag in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Zhabdrung (Shabdrung) NgawangNamgyal on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire ox year in 1673, it is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. Punakha Dzong was the administrative center and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu.

In the evening drive back to Thimphu.

Overnight at hotel inThimphu [B/L/D]

After breakfast at hotel drive to Paro which takes approximately 01 hour drive. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan, housed inside the revamped circular Ta-Dzong building, an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong. This unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The original building was constructed in 1656 but the building was converted into a museum in 1968. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings gathered from different parts of the country. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines. Some of the handicrafts items cover the history and cultural heritage of more than 1500 years.

Also visit Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs in Bhutan. One of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, it is also known as the RingpungDzong, which means ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. It is the administrative seat of the district of Paro. The Dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. It was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet.

Visit the KyichuLakhang an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites built in the seventh century. This temple is one of 108 built by Tibetan emperor SongtsenGampo to subdue a demoness who prevented the spread of Buddhism. Temples were built across the Himalayas to pin her body down. KyichuLhakhang pins down her left foot and Jamba Lhakhang in Bumthang her left knee.

Overnight at Hotel in Paro [B/L/D]

Embark on a long hike to one of Bhutan’s most revered icons, Taktsang (“Tiger’s Nest”) Monastery that clings to a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. You hike on a wide trail and the round-trip journey covers a little over 4 miles and reaches heights of 9,184 feet above sea level. (You may choose to hike all the way to the monastery or stop after two hours at a cafeteria and make your way back.) Spend the day among the monks at this sacred pilgrimage site, where the great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava) is believed to have flown on the back of the tiger to bring the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan.

In the evening, get first-hand experience in archery, Bhutan’s national sport and national obsession.

Overnight at hotel in Paro [B/L/D]

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight onward.