General Information
Tour Route: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Paro
Duration: 8 Days/7Nights
Guides: Bhutan Local Guide (English speaking guide, other languages depends on your request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Paro | Transfer to Thimphu
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 3: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 4: Transfer to Punakha & Sightseeing
Day 5: Punakha – Transfer to Paro
Day 6: Paro Sightseeing
Day 7: Tiger Nest Monastery
Day 8: Departure from Paro
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Paro | Transfer to Thimphu
Brimming with smiling faces and mesmerizing mountain ranges, Bhutan is perhaps one of those few places in the world where the economy’s health is measured by Gross Happiness Product (GHP). This Himalayan Kingdom also happens to be the only carbon negative country in the world, implying that the country absorbs more carbon dioxide each year than it emits. Be greeted by Go Bhutan Tours guide at the Airport. He/she will brief you about the tour, itinerary, inclusions, as well as cultural practices of Bhutan, including some, do’s and don’ts.
After that, head to Thimphu later on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat-in-coach). Your scenic drive will give you views of mesmerizing mountains and flowing rivers. The distance between Paro and Thimphu is 70 km and would be covered in approximately 1.5 hours.
On reaching Thimphu, check-in at the hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You could book a relaxing massage (at an additional cost) at any premium hotel. This relaxing massage would include transfers from and to the hotel on a private vehicle. This is only a suggested activity and is not included in the package.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu
After breakfast, picked up from your hotel at a tentative time of 8.30 am and make your first visit to the Simtokha Dzong – a monastery built in 1627 that today houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. From here, move to the Memorial Chorten – the most visible religious structure in Thimphu and the Buddha View Point. Marvel at the magnificent view of the valley from this point and the statue of Lord Buddha that resides on the premises. After that, you could grab lunch here (own expense) at one of the local eateries to taste the local delicacies of Bhutan.
After lunch, following your sightseeing trip with a drive to Takin Mini Zoo. The Zoo houses the Takin – the national animal of Bhutan that looks similar between a cow and a goat. Legend said that that it was created by the great Buddhist yogi – Drupa Kunle. After sightseeing around the zoo, follow your guide to Tashichho Dzong – a strikingly large structure, surrounded by manicured lawns and beautiful gardens. Inside the Dzong houses the throne room, offices of the secretariat and the King.
After visiting Thimphu, you would be dropped off at the hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Thimphu
After breakfast this morning, start the day with a visit to the Arts & Craft School – the Institute for Zorig Chusum or the Painting School. Here you will see how students are taught and trained to do 13 traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. Next up, see the extensive collection of Buddhist manuscripts at the National Library. Then proceed to the Textile Museum to learn about the national art of weaving. Take this chance to see exhibits on major weaving techniques, styles of local attires and textiles made by women and men.
After your morning sightseeing, you can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Following your afternoon sightseeing with a visit to the Zilukha Nunnery or Drubthob Goemba Monastery where you will have an opportunity to marvel at the view of Tashichhoedzong. After that, transfer to Handicraft Emporium where you can purchase an extensive range of colorful, handwoven textiles and other beautiful craft products.
In the evening, you would be dropped back at the hotel for dinner and stay.
(If day 3 of your tour fall on Tuesday or Wednesday, you could visit the Craft Bazaar – a market marked by a spectacle of traditional bamboo huts, showcasing a wide range of authentic Bhutan-made art and craft products.)
Day 4: Transfer to Punakha & Sightseeing
Today after enjoying a lovely breakfast, transferred to Punakha on a seat-in-coach basis. The tentative pick-up time would be 8.30 am. It would take approximately 3 hours to cover 75 from Thimphu to Punakha. En route, stop at several beautiful points to do some sightseeing. The first stop would be the Dochula viewpoint which is about 45-minutes from Thimphu. Perched at 3100m, the hill offers a dramatic glimpse of the Himalayan range. As you come closer to Punakha valley, stop at Chimi Lhakhang or well-known as the Fertility Temple. This sacred temple was built in honor of Lama Drukpa Kunley. Legend said that childless women go to the temple and pray would receive a blessing or empowerment from the saint. It is a 20-minutes long pleasant walk from the road at Sopsokha to the temple. En route, you would also cross an archery ground.
After that, you would visit the Punakha Dzong – far-famed as the Happiness Palace. It stands majestically on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers and is one of the most photogenic of all of Bhutan’s ancient fortresses. The dzong joins the mainland by an arched wooden bridge. Inside the palace houses many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom from this valley.
In the evening, return to the hotel in Punakha for a delectable dinner. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha – Transfer to Paro
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, head to Paro on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat in coach). The distance between Punakha and Paro is about 150 km and would take you approximately 5 hours.
After checking in at the hotel in Paro, spend the rest of the day at leisure. You could go on a Biking Tour (at an additional cost) and cycle through scenic route from Paro to Thimphu while appreciating the country’s natural beauty and cultural wealth. The 65 km one-way distance takes around 2.5 hours to cover and the return journey would be in private vehicle. The serene atmosphere makes a perfect setting for a picturesque exploration. This is only a suggested activity and is not included in the package. You could purchase this activity at the time of booking this package.
Later return to the hotel; enjoy a warm and comforting dinner before you retire for the night.
Day 6: Paro Sightseeing | Tour to a Brewery with Beer Tasting & Vegetarian…
This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then head out approximately at 8.30 am for local sightseeing in Paro on a seat-in-coach basis. Your first visit of the day is the National Museum of Paro that proudly displays antique items gathered from different parts of the country, in a revamped Ta-dzong building. From here, head to one of the oldest temples in Bhutan – the Kyichu Lhakhang. It is said that this temple was built in 659 to subdue a demoness residing in the Himalayas.
After capturing the beautiful attractions of Paro, make your way to a Brewery. Discover the heritage of the locally produced beer and browse the many selections provided. And also get a chance to taste some of the local varieties and relish some snacks (limited). Please note that limited snacks and beer will be served.
In the evening, return to the hotel for a warm and comforting dinner before you retire for the night.
Note: Beer will not be served to people below 25 years of age. Limited servings for beer and snacks will be offered.
Day 7: Tiger Nest Monastery
Ready to explore more of Paro after a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Head out from the hotel at approximately 8.30 am on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat in coach) to visit the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as the Temple or Taksang Monastery. Perched precariously on the edge of a 1200 m cliff, this monastery is an impressive sight and the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Do note that the up-hill hike would take around 2 hours, so it is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and carry light refreshments with water. An option to ride a horse from the parking lot to the monastery is also available. Alternately, you could also hike for about an hour to reach a cafeteria – a wooden tea-house restaurant which offers a good view of the monastery.
After that thrilling excursion, make your way to a local farmhouse to get a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a typical Bhutanese family. Here, you could take part in Bhutan’s national sport – Archery. Deck-up in Bhutan’s national dress (gho and kira) to click pictures and also gulp down Ara, a local beverage made of rice.
In the evening, you would be dropped at the hotel, with dinner and a comfortable overnight stay to end the day.
Day 8: Departure from Paro
After breakfast, you would check out from the hotel and head to the airport, on a seat-in-coach basis to board your return flight. Head back to India with memories galore and an increase in your personal happiness index.
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