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LAND OF HAPPINESS

(05 NIGHTS/06 DAYS)

HIGHLIGHTS: THIMPU • PUNAKHA • PUNAKHA DZONG • HIKING TO

TAKTSANG MONASTERY “ TIGER’S NEST” • PARO

The country of Thunder Dragons which has largely remained untouched from the rest of the world in its pristine state, unspoiled by outside influences. Bhutan is a country of many surprises where chilies are served as the main dish and giant protective penis painted at the entrance of many houses. Visit various Dzongs and monasteries in Paro & capital Thimphu. Visit various tourist attractions in the capital of Thimpu enjoy the fresh air during your ride to Punakha, visit the largest Punakha Dzong and the famous Taktsang Monastery "Tiger's Nest".

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DAY 01 : PARO – THIMPU (-/LUNCH/DINNER) Arrive in Paro. Meeting and assistance at the airport, later sightseeing tour of Paro and drive to Thimpu.

After lunch, sightseeing tour of Paro Dzong and National Museum

Paro Dzong ranks as a high point of Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts. Most of the chapels are closed to tourists but it's worth a visit for its stunning architecture and views.

Continue to National Museum

The Museum is located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. Housed in a 17th century watch tower, it has a unique character and beautiful panoramic views over Paro Valley. Opened in 1968, its collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes are famous. There are also textiles, jewellery, and handicrafts sections as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps’ hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. The top floor of the Museum is a chapel containing a “tree” depicting the main figures of the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Later drive to Thimpu, capital city of Bhutan. Upon arrival in Bhutan, transfer to the hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimpu

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DAY 02: THIMPU (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, sightseeing tour National Memorial Chorten

This large Tibetan-style chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–72). Early morning is especially tranquil as elderly people shuffle in, and spruced-up kids on their way to school whiz in and out to pay homage.

Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Changangkha Temple and Drubthob Monastery

Changangkha Lhakhang is a fortress-like temple perched on a ridge above central Thimphu regularly hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity. Don’t leave without taking in the excellent view from the back kora (pilgrim path), with its lovely black and gold prayer wheels.

Continue to Drubthob Monastery

Drubthob monastery also called Zilukha nunnery is located on the slopes, looking down at Golf course and Tashicho Dzong with around 70 or so resident nuns. The monastery was founded by later reincarnation of Druthob Thangtong Gyalpo or Drubthob Chakzampa, who in the 15 century was known all over Tibetan Buddhist world for building iron bridges and he is also considered the father of Tibetan Opera.

Other site visit includes School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught 13 types of Bhutanese art, the National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scripture dating back to 8th century.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimpu

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DAY 03: THIMPU – PUNAKHA (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, transfer to Punakha via Dochula - Pass

Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range.

The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

Upon arrival in Punakha visit Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong's characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan's kings have been crowned here. The dzong is still the winter residence of the dratshang (official monk body).

After lunch, walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of divine Madman

On a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina is the yellow-roofed Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kunley in his honour after the lama subdued the demoness of the nearby Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A brisk 25-minute walk through the village of Sosokha will lead a visitor straight to the temple. A sense and feeling of fertility and contentment is indeed in the air as one passes through the rich alluvial paddy fields. The temple is popular among childless Bhutanese couples as a temple to seek blessings for fertility.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Punakha

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DAY 04: PUNAKHA – THIMPU – PARO (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, drive to Yabesa Village and hike through the rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten

Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten is seven-kilometer drive from Punakha town and 15-20 minutes hike from the Punakha suspension bridge. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a splendid example of the Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions which took nine years to build by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is located on a ridge at Kabisa Gewong in Punakha overlooking several villages. This temple has been dedicated for the well being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings.

Afterwards, proceed on to Paro, visiting Semtokha Dzong en route.

Simtokha Dzong is a small dzong located approximately 05 kilometers from the capital city of Thimphu. It is a well known landmark, found along the Thimphu-Punakha highway on the way to Dochula pass. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the 18th Drukpa (or throne holder) who unified Bhutan, the dzong was the first of its kind built in the country.

The name "Simtokha" in Dzongkha (the local language) means "utop a demon", for the legend associated with the dzong's construction mentions that the fortress was built in order to subdue a demon that was harrassing travellers in the region. Today, the dzong serves as an important historical monument for the country.

Later drive to Paro

Upon arrival in Paro, transfer to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro

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DAY 05: PARO (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, visit Taktsang Monastery

Taktsang Palphug Monastery more famous as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan.

Mountainous Paro valley is the heart of Bhutan; here the only international airport of the country is located.

The Taktsang Palphug Monastery is one of the most famous touristic destinations of the country and the cultural icon of Bhutan.

Evening, visit Kyichu Lakhang

A short drive from Paro is Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism into Tibet. Additional buildings and a golden roof were constructed in 1839 by the penlop (governor) of Paro and the 25th Je Khenpo. Elderly pilgrims constantly walk around the temple spinning its many prayer wheels.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro

DAY 06: PARO – DEPARTURE (BREAKFAST/-/-)

Free till departure. Transfer to the airport in time to connect your onward flight.

<<END OF PROGRAM>>

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PRICE: ON REQUEST

Inclusions: √ 2 night twin share accommodation in Thimphu with breakfast √ 1 night twin share accommodation in Punakha with breakfast √ 2 night accommodation in Paro with breakfast √ All meals as per the itinerary √ All necessary airport transfers in Bhutan with service of a local representative on private basis √ Guided sightseeing tours in Bhutan as per the itinerary on a private basis with Bhutanese, English speaking guide √ Permit and entrance fees in Bhutan √ One bottled mineral water per person per day √ Bhutan permit √ Bhutan Visa fee √ All applicable entrance fees Exclusions:- × International airfare × Expenses of personal nature × Tips, gratuities to tour guide and drivers