BHUTAN – 07 NIGHTS PACKAGE

• Drive to Kuenselphodrang where world’s tallest Buddha Statue (169 feet) sits overlooking the Thimphu Valley. Enjoy the spectacular view of Thimphu city.
• Visit the zoo at Motithang to gaze upon Takin, the National animal of Bhutan.
• Drive down to the view point of Tashichho Dzong, the impressive fortress which houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices.
• Institute of 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts
• Folk Heritage Museum
• National Library
• Royal Textile Academy
• Weekend market (now named as Centenary Farmers Market) – Locals sell their agricultural produce here.
• Witness Archery match (National game of Bhutan) if one is going on.
• Evening free for shopping

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu

• Drive to beautiful valley of Phobjikhay, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. The birds are revered by the local people and are also protected by the government.
• Stop at Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the 108 chortens, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
• Drive towards Gangtey/Phobjikha and visit the Monastery which is about 4 hours drive from Dochula Pass. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.
• Hike Gangtey nature trail to enjoy the view of the valley and to seen the endangered Black Necked Cranes if they are still there (The birds migrate to higher altitude in summer).

Overnight at your hotel in Phobjikha.

• Visit Crane information centre if you want to know more about the birds.
• Drive to Punakha.
• Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue.
• Phochu suspension bridge.

Overnight at your Hotel in Punakha

• Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten: About 7km drive from Punakha Dzong and about 40 to 50 minutes hike from the road point is Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten which was completed in the year 1999 after eight years of construction. Located atop a hill commands a very beautiful view of the valley below.
• Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge – The 160 metres Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge is known for the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, which gives you spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley.
• River rafting (optional – additional charges apply)
• Drive up to explore the picturesque villages of Talo or Nobgang, the ancestral home of the Queen Mothers of Bhutan. The villages are scattered along a ridge above the Punakha valley at an altitude of around 2,800m and is known amongst Punakha villages for its neat and clean appearance. The women here are particularly known for their beauty.
• Enroute visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, perched on a ridge with spectacular views of the Punakha and Wangdue valleys. The temple houses a 14 foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, one of the biggest in the country.  The statue was handcrafted exclusively by local artisans. The temple houses a complex for higher studies and meditation center for nuns. Apart from religious trainings, the nuns are also provided skills such as embroidery, tailoring and statue making.

Overnight at your Hotel in Punakha

• Drive towards Paro.
• En route take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the divine mad monk’s temple. It is a beautiful walk through a lovely village. The temple can be visited and there is a tree outside which is supposed to have sprouted up after Drukpa Kunley sent a thunderbolt from an adjoining valley to kill some evil spirits who had gathered at the site. The Temple is also known popularly as  the Temple of fertility.
• National Museum.
• Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Try your skill at local traditional games of Archery and Khuru.

Overnight at your Hotel in Paro.

OPTION I:

• Hike to Taktshang Monastery, one of the holiest and the most beautiful sites of Bhutan.  Taktshang, the tiger’s lair, acquires its name from the legend of its foundation, when in the 8th Century Guru Rinpoche, widely revered as the second Buddha, arrived from Tibet flying across the mountains on the back of a tigress.
• After lunch (At Extra Cost), drive up the valley to view the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong, which once defended this valley from several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
• Evening free or can visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

Overnight at your Hotel in Paro.

OPTION II:

• Drive to Chelela Pass the Kingdom’s highest Motor able pass (3988m). Enjoy the spectacular view of the Paro and Haa valleys on either side of the pass. En route enjoy the beauty of nature with different vegetation as you climb up the mountain. Bird lovers especially will love this trip.
• After lunch (At Extra Cost), drive up the valley to view the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong, which once defended this valley from several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
• Evening free or can visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

Overnight at your Hotel in Paro.

End of your travel in Bhutan. Our team will drive you to the Airport and bid farewell.