4 Nights 5 Days

Itinerary

Day One- Arrival in Paro- Drive to Thimphu

Paro (2,200m)- The widest valley in western part of Bhutan with a population of mere 45,000, where 95% of the total population contributes to the country’s economy by engaging in agriculture (mainly red rice and apples- imported to neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh) . This is the place where you can also find the tiniest and the friendliest airport in the world. On the contrary, it is also listed as the most top 10 dangerous airport but not to worry since our pilots are most experienced and you will be left mesmerized.

After completing your visa formalities, transfer to Thimphu (2 hours with plenty of stops) with spectacular scenes. Magnificent monasteries and stupas in the valleys and mountain-tops. Experience the “Last Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom” on Earth and take precious memories back home.

Check in to your hotel and have lunch. After lunch, look around the Capital City on your own or with your guide (evening at leisure).

Overnight Thimphu (L/D)

Day Two: Explore Thimphu

If you require to change money we could stop by at the Bhutan National Bank. There we could also purchase world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from general post office which is right next to Bhutan National Bank. Visits to the Arts and crafts school where one can see young children at work and the Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced will follow in next.
Later, check out the Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan, a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
After a sumptuous lunch, observe traditional paper making from Daphne and Edgeworthia shrub to the finished product and purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory.
You could then visit the mini zoo where one can see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Further up is drive to the view point and where you could take a hike beyond to see the clear picture of Thimphu Valley.
Depending on the time availability, drive downtown and explore the colorfull Weekend Market (best on Saturday and Sundays), Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. You may wish to buy kiras (women) which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration back at home and gho (men), jewelries and many more.

Overnight in Thimphu (B/L/D)

Day Three: Thimphu – Paro (Sights)

Depart Thimphu at leisure for your short drive on Bhutan’s best road to Paro Valley with a few short stops for sightseeing en route. Take lunch at a Paro town restaurant followed by an orientation tour of Paro valley’s main sights including the Rinpung Dzong with its cantilever bridge; Kyichu Lhakang, a most revered temple boasting an Orange Tree that perpetually bears fruit

OPTION: Take an early departure from Thimphu and travel to the remote & beautiful Haa valley returning to the Paro valley via the Chele La (pass) on Bhutan’s highest motorable road. At the pass you can take a hike to the Kila Nunnery, Bhutan’s oldest, where you can interact with the nuns. This is a full day trip.

Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Day Four: Excursion to Taktsang Monastery.

Day hike to “Taktsang”, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Taktsang, meaning “Tiger’s nest,” is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhawa) mediated in the 8th century. It clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan and meditated in the cave there for three months.

In the evening, soak up in a traditional hot stone bath (chargeable activity) and experience dinner with a local family

Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Day Five: International Departure (B)

Transfer to the airport for onward destination.

Tashi Delek (Thank you for choosing to travel with us)