Detailed Program
The flight into Paro is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be briefed by our Host and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1 hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at the Hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Morning: visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reined from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thangka here (sacred Buddhist scroll).
After the visit depart to Punakha, leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges.
After stopping for tea and the view, then enjoy an hour’s downhill walk through magnolia, hydrangea, viburnum, and evergreen oaks, and through blankets of the wild orchids before once again reaching the road, where we board our transport and drive into the Punakha Valley and visit Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, which is located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) the Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. After visiting trace back your drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
An early departure from Thimphu to Paro. After checking in at the hotel in Paro drive the winding road to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress, which was once, defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. We then drive to Ramthangkha, the terminating point of the motorable road, and then hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around two hours of average walking speed and is located above 2,950 meters (9,678 feet) above sea level. At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
If you desire then you can hike up to the monastery and visit the monastery that contains thirteen holy places. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites in the Himalayan World. The monastic complex clings to the rock towering 900 meters above the valley (over 2,600 feet). After the visit to the temples walk back to the cafeteria for your lunch.
After lunch, we then walk back to the road point and then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. In the afternoon visit National Museum, Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower that now houses the National Museum, and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
In the morning our representatives from Truly Bhutan will escort you to Paro International Airport and bid goodbye and a pleasant flight back home.
