DAY 01 : ARRIVE AT PARO & TRANSFER TO THIMPHU (55 KMS / 1.5 HOURS)

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. The journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom upto Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley.

Later drive to Thimphu with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Thimpu is the capital city of Bhutan and is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers, however it still retains its’ cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization.

You may see Tschogang Lhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse” on the way.

Tschogang Lhakhang or “the temple of the excellent horse” is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. The road passes along a narrow valley with high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the valley opens out into farmland on the approach to Thimphu.

Arrive at Thimphu. Check-into the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02 : THIMPHU

Morning enjoy sightseeing in Thimphu valley by visiting the Buddha Point, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan andTashichhodzong.

Buddha Point is one of the most happening points in Thimphu. It is locally named Buddha Point but the actual name is Kuensel Phodrang. It is called the Buddha point because the largest statue of Buddha in the country sits there. The 51.5 meter bronze statue is three storied with several chapels. The body of Buddha is filled with 125000 smaller statues of Buddha.

The National Library is located in the cultural center of Thimphu, the capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. It is a major scriptural repository and research facility dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the rich literary, cultural and religious heritage of our country. The scripture and document collection held in the library and archives is a national treasure and a fundamental source for Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture.

Institute for Zorig Chusum is commonly known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialise in painting (furniture, thangka s – painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue-making (clay).

National Textile Museum showcases Bhutan's textiles that are an integral part of its cultural and heritage and are unique for their diversity and sophistication. Textile Museum at Thimphu has given a new platform to the nation’s textiles and Bhutanese weave rs and boasts of an invaluable collection of antique textile artifacts of Bhutan. Some of the museum’s gems are the pearl robe from Tsamdrak Goenpa, crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, Namzas (dresses) and other accessories worn by the Royal Family, personal bedding of His Holiness Zhabdrung Jigme Dorji and the first version of the Raven Crown.

Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum developed for and by the youth of Bhutan through the Bhutan Youth Development Fund. It observes conservation of our culture and tradition while generating employment opportunities for young job seekers. The infrastructure portrays ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. The project is one of its kinds in the country. The uniqueness of the structure is in its composition of the materials used. The structure is built reusing old timber, window and door frames and other items from traditional and old demolished houses. The best part is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people.

King's Memorial Chorten This large impressive monument with its golden spire was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928 – 1972). Built by his mother Her Majesty the late Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck, the whitewashed chorten is  decorated with richly carved annexes facing the four directions, and features elaborate mandalas, statues and a shrine dedicated to the popular third king. There are numerous religious paintings and complex tantric statues housed inside reflecting both peaceful and wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. The memorial chorten, with its sun-catching golden finial, is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many people it is the focus of their daily worship.

Later visit to the Trashichhoedzong.

Tashichhodzong is the seat of the Royal Government and Central Monastic Body. It was rebuilt in the early 1960’s after a fire destroyed most of the building. The amazing thing about this building is that it was built without a single drawing or a single nail.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03 : THIMPHU TO PARO (55 KMS, 1.5 HOURS)

Morning drive to Paro.

Afternoon proceed to visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong).

Ta Dzong, at the top of the hill above Paro Dzong is an old watchtower that was renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. It showcases a collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes are famous. There are also textiles, jewellery, and handicrafts sections as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps’ hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. The top floor of the Museum is a chapel containing a “tree” depicting the main figures of the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) means "Fortress on a Heap of Jewels". It was built in 1646 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. A walk through the bridge to the Dzong, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the Dzong. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 04 : PARO

Morning proceed for excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (5 hours walk).

Tiger’s Nest is the popular name of Taktsang Palphug Monastery, a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, in Bhutan. A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup (stag tshang seng ge bsam grub) cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century.

Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated.

Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong. En route visit to Kyichu Lhakhang.

Drugyal means "Victorious". It was built in 1646 by Zhsbdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders, led by the Mongolian warlord. This dzong was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in a location chosen for its control of the route to Tibet. The dzong was named 'Druk' (Bhutan) 'gyel' (victory) to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over Tibetan invaders in 1644. One of the features of the dzong was a false entrance that lured the returning Tibetan invaders into an enclosed courtyard during a second attack.

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism into Tibet. Additional buildings and a golden roof were constructed in 1839 by the penlop of Paro and the 25th Je Khenpo.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 05 : DEPART PARO

Morning transfer to the Paro Airport for flight to your onward destination. Bon Voyage!!