Insight of Bhutan

Today you will fly to Bhutan from . Upon arrival at Paro Airport, you are met and assisted by our airport representative. After clearing all the immigration formalities, you are transferred to Hotel in Thimphu.

Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel.

Remaining afternoon at leisure

Overnight at Hotel- Meals – /L / D

Breakfast at the Hotel

Start your full day cultural sightseeing tour of Thimphu valley.

A three storied traditional building houses the Folk Heritage Museum. The earthen and timber building was renovated and restored few years ago to appear as it was century ago. Established in 2001 in Thimphu, the museum provides glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The artifacts, which are kept inside the house, remind the visitors about how the rural Bhutanese live today. This 19th century traditional house provides you a glimpse of the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. One can come across typical household objects, tools and equipment.

The National Library of Bhutan was first established in 1967 under the patronage of HM Queen AshiPhuntsoChoden (1911–2003), with a small collection of precious texts. The library was initially housed within the central tower (utse) of Tashichodzong. Later, due to its growing collection, it had to move to a building in the Changgangkha area of Thimphu.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine was established in 1988 with the concept to merge the allopathic and traditional systems of healing. It contains an impressive, large laboratory and production facilities that ensures quality of the products, the components of which includes plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. The Institution produces traditional Bhutanese medicine towards the needs of the public. There is a day-care facility and clinic where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe appropriate medicines or treatments.

Visit TakinSancutaray, where the National animal of Bhutan is kept under preservation.

The Memorial Chorten, also known as the ThimphuChorten, is a large Tobetan-style Buddhist Monastery is a popular landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. It was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third king, JigmeDorjiWangchuck. The architecture of the chorten has been designed to present it as ‘one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu’.

TashichhoDzong: Located on the northern edge of the city of Thimpu, on the western bank of the Wang chuTashichhoDzong is 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- Meals – B / L / D

Today we drive to the lush green valley of Punakha. After about an hour’s drive visit Dochula Pass at 3200m/10496ft on the way. There are 108 stupas built by the Queen mother for the wellbeing of the Bhutanese people and the King. If weather permits, you will have great views of the eastern Himalayan range including the highest unclimbed mountain at 7500m/24600ft.

Hang a Prayer flag at the Pass and continue your drive to Punakha.

Afterwards visit ChimiLhakhang, located near Lobesa Village. 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.

Overnight at Hotel; Meals – B / L / D

After morning breakfast at the hotel, visit thePunakha 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.

Afternoon, take a short gradual day hike to KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. Built out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley, this 4-storey temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. The Chorten was built to remove the negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the ever-changing world.

An hour hike to the Chorten, through a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees, this site offers beautiful view of the Punakha Valley. Once on the top, the place offers commanding views of the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.

Overnight at Hotel; Meals – B / L / D

Breakfast at the Hotel

Then drive back to Paro, which takes approximately 04-hour drive.

Afternoon you are transferred to KyichuLakhangto receive the special Buddhist blessing.KyichuLhakhang is an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. Built in the 7th century, this is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites in Bhutan. The 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

The ceremony will last around 1-2 hour. Please find the short description as below:

* Lhabsang: The ceremony begins with a Lhabsang, which will be performed by the monks in the morning before we arrive at the temple. During the ceremony the monks will recite mantras and they will light fumigation outside the temple. This ceremony is to please the local deities. Bhutanese believe that only if our deities are pleased we can have their blessing and enjoy good health and wealth. The fumigation is to please their sense of smell and the grains we add to the fumigation are to quell their hunger.

* Butter Lamp: Once in the temple, light butter lamps after doing the prostrations. The lighting of butter lamp is an offering of light to deities and is one of the most common means of increasing merits.

* Thrisor: On arrival at the Lhakhang, the monks will perform Thrisor. It is a rite of purification and cleansing. This rite will clear our bodies, speech and minds of all our sins.

* Changphoed:Changphoed is the offering to the gods and deities in a form of Ara. After on offering is made to the deities, the ara will then be served to the bride and the groom in a traditional wooden phob (cup), which they will share. This symbolizes the faith and everlasting bond the husband and the wife will share for the rest of their lives.

* TsepameyChoko: This is an elaborate ritual ceremony for a long and prosperous married life. The head monk will bless you in the course of the ritual for the same. This ritual is performed in honour of Tsepamey, the God of longevity.

Note: Bhutanese traditional dress; Gho (for men) & Kira (for ladies) will be provided to the guests for the ceremony.

After ceremony, you are transferred back to Hotel. Remaining time is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel; Meals – B / L / D

Today embark on a majestic hike to TaktsangGoemba. The hike up to the view point will take about 2 hours and from the view point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of a high cliff. Stop for refreshment at the Cafe at the view point. Then hike further to the monastery which will take about 1.5 hours. It was first built in 1692, around the TaktsangSengeSamdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for 3 months in the 8th century. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in one of the caves here and emerged in 8 incarnated forms (8 manifestations) and blessed the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as 'Tiger's Nest'.

OR

Ride a horse up to the second view point. The horse ride is a one-way trip (this is only 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. (Extra cost for Pony ride is US$ 30.00 per person- can be paid on ground)

Overnight at Hotel; Meals – B / L / D

Today you will be transferred to airport for your onward flight.