Bhutan Tour – 5 Days

After you’re done with breakfast, you drive through a winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fort which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari can be seen on a clear day from Drukgyal village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family for a close-up scene of the everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive to Shari to hike up (or horse ride) to the “Tiger’s nest”. The horse rides or hikes up to the cafeteria takes around one and a half hours. At the view point, you will encounter a monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After lunch on our way back to the hotel, we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century. Further into the late afternoon, we head to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. Driving to the capital takes around one and a half hours from Paro. The city has a population of approximately 98,500, and the town is made up of just three rows of shops. The interesting fact here is: Thimpu is the only capital in the world without any traffic lights. Enroute, is a visit to Simtokha Dzong. Shortly after, you check-in to your room. Dinner and stay is organized at the hotel.

Today we go for sightseeing across the Capital. This includes a visit to the visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Also included is a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people with the Bhutanese rural past. In this museum, we can witness an exhibition of ancient objects and artifacts used in rural households. We also visit the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and well-preserved. The exhibition has an extensive collection of old textiles that are rich in color and design. After lunch, we visit the School of Arts and Crafts where the 13 Crafts are taught to the Young Children. It was established in 1971 with two objectives i.e. to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts and to create more job opportunities. Later in the afternoon, we depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. As we leave Thimphu, the trail ascends steeply through a forest of pine and cedar trees, reaching the Dochu La pass (3,050 m) with panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of fastener bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Check-in at hotel Meri Puensum/Zangtopelri. Dinner at the hotel.

In the morning we visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, strategically located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) the Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. On a short drive from Punakha, we reach the valley of Wangdue which is one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. Here you can observe a scene of the Wangdiphodrang Dzong, which dramatically dwells on the spur of a hill at the junction of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. Then we drive to Paro over the Dochola pass. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast served at the hotel, we drive you back to the airport which is located within a short distance. Then we bid you farewell at Paro airport, wishing you well on your next journey.