Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Paro (2,250m)
When you arrive in Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, your tour guide will pick you up at the airport and then escort you to your hotel. After taking a rest, you will head to enjoy sightseeing around Paro.
You will first visit the Ta Dzong Museum, which houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next drive to the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. This temple is built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, and holds great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni inside. And Later explore the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Located at the suburb of Paro City, Rinpung Dzong is a fortress built in the 17th Century to protect Paro valley, which offers you picturesque scenery and a sense of inner peace.
Day 2: Paro Festival
Today you will attend the Paro Festival to experience the grand celebrative activities. Paro Tshechu is one of the most prevalent religious festival in Bhutan and is annually held in Paro. During the Tshechu, mask dances will be performed by monks clad in colorful brocade attire and permeated by chants and reading of Buddhist scripts. Bhutanese people can be seen come together wearing their best and colorful national dress for the celebration.
Day 3: Paro - Thimphu
In the morning, we will depart to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, following the Pachu River. The drive takes about 1.5 hours in total, during when you can stop on the way to see the Tamchhog Lhakhang, a hereditary place of worship for the Bhutan’s iron bridge builders.
As the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu is devoid of stereotyped skyscrapers and huge traffic. Instead, surrounding by rolling mountains, Thimphu is known for its picturesque Bhutan dzong, fresh air and loveable local people. Upon your arrival, you will pay a visit to Late King's Memorial Chorten, and explore the National Library, Folk Heritage Museum and Hand-made Paper Factory, and the School of Arts and Crafts, where you will have a panoramic view of Bhutan history and learn more of textile and the handicraft making in the most traditional way.
Of course, the highlight comes as we tour the Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of Bhutan government.
Day 4: Thimphu- Punakha
The new day begins with tasty Bhutanese breakfast. After that, we will travel northeast to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, we will stop at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m) and have a refreshment there. The perfect vintage point brings you the unobstructed vista of Great Himalayas.
After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we keep driving to Punakha, which used to the capital of Bhutan. You will explore the world-renowned Punakha Dzong, widely believed to be the most beautiful Bhutanese Dzong, built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. You will also visit Chimi Lhakhang, a popular Buddhist monastery built around 1499 by Ngawang Chogyal.
Day 5: Punakha - Witness Paro Festival
After breakfast, drive towards Paro. Today is for your time to attend the Paro Festival again. If lucky, you will see the gigantic Thangkha (Thongdrel) of Guru Rinpoche unfolding inside the Dzong. It is the culmination of the festival. In the evening, you can buy some local Bhutanese souvenirs.
Day 6: Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery
Getting up in the fresh morning, we’ll start today’s trek to Taktshang Goemba (also known as Tiger's Nest). Standing on the cliff of Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3120 meters) is the landmark of Paro as well as the holiest temple in Bhutan. It’s said that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of Paro Valley.
After lunch, you may opt for a stone bath or enjoy free exploration nearby.
Day 7: Departure
Today, our tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.
