Day 1/Oct 31st :- Depart New Delhi by Bhutan Airlines flight B3774 at 13:35 hrs.
Arrive Paro, Drive to Thimpu :- Arrive at Paro International Airport at 16:15 hrs.
Paro is situated in a beautiful valley and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Thimpu (65 kms approx 1 hour 15 minutes drive.
Evening at leisure.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Taraphendeyling.
Day 2/1st Nov .Thimpu :- After Breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).
Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We drive to Simtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shabdrung in 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Overnight in hotel in Thimpu.
Day 3/2nd Nov. Thimpu/Punakha :- (72 Kms, 3 hours drive). After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (MaleRiver) and Mo Chu (FemaleRiver). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government.
he construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.
Arrive Punakha, Dinner and overnight at Khuru Resort.
Day 4/03rd Nov :- In Punakha :- After Breakfast at the hotel, excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
Evening at leisure.
Dinner and Overnight at Khuru Resort.
Day 5/04th Nov :- Punakha/Paro :- After Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Paro(143 Kms, approx 5 hours drive) :- This will be a long drive from Punakha to Paro, covering scenaric view and natural beauty on the way. It will be a sort of self tour.
Arrive Paro, check in Udumwara Resort. After wash and change drive to down town, which is about 4 kms from the resort, walk around the town/market.
Dinner and Overnight at Udumwara Resort.
Day 6/05th Nov :- In Paro :- After Breakfast, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.
Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt.Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
Dinner and overnight in Udumwara Resort Paro.
Day 7/06th Nov:- In Paro :- A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour horse ride till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.
After Lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the NationalMuseum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.
Dinner and over night at Udumwara Resort.
Day 8/07th Nov :- Depart Paro :- Early morning after Breakfast, meeting and assistance at the resort and transfer to the airport to see you off onto your flight. Depart Paro by B3773 at 10:45 to Delhi
Wish you Tashi Delek (Good Bye and Good luck).