Intimate journey to Bhutan: 7 nights, 8 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival at Paro International Airport and cultural visit in Paro.

  

  During this flight, you will be able to admire Mount Everest, Mount Kanchenjunga, and other mountains of the Himalayas, including the sacred mountains Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Upon your arrival at Paro airport, our representative will welcome you and take you to the hotel. After lunch, visit: Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in the kingdom, dating from the 7th century; Ta Dzong, a former watchtower that now houses the national museum; Rinpung Dzong, which hosts the monastic school and the civil administration office. Go down passing very close, crossing the typical Bhutanese wooden-roofed bridge to the town of Paro. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  Paro - Thimphu

  

  After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and visit: Buddha Point / Kuensel Phodrang - This is the largest Buddha statue in the country. From here, you can have a good view of the Thimphu valley. Memorial Chorten - Built in 1974 in memory of our third king of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Tashichho Dzong - The "fortress of the glorious religion" was originally erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichho Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty's secretariat, and the central body of monks. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Thimphu - Guided tours

  - Changangkha Lhakhang - Located just above the Thimphu valley, this temple and monastic school were established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo. - Motithang Takin Reserve - It is home to the rare national animal of Bhutan. The takin is classified by international conservation agencies as a vulnerable species, and it is a rare animal found only in Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. - Institute of Traditional Medicine - In Bhutan, equal importance is given to allopathic and traditional medicines. Rich remedies based on medicinal plants are prepared and dispensed here. - Simply Bhutan - This is a living, integrative museum that offers a quick introduction to the different aspects of traditional life in Bhutan. - National Institute for Zorig Chusum - The School of Arts and Crafts is an institute where students follow a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Thimphu - Phobjikha

  After breakfast, route to Phobjikha - about 6 hours of driving through picturesque valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. From Dochula Pass, at over 10,000 feet altitude, you can enjoy, in clear weather, vast panoramic views of the high snow-capped peaks of the Bhutanese Himalayas. Continue descending into the Phobjikha valley and visit Gantey Goenpa, as it is a major attraction with an ancient monastery dating from the 16th century. Later, tour the valley, which is also the winter habitat of the rare black-necked cranes, which migrate in winter from remote regions of Tibet, China, and Siberia to this valley. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Phobjikha - Punakha

  

  After breakfast, promenade on the natural trail of the pine forest. After lunch, drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung. It is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in the country. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Punakha - Paro

  After breakfast, visit to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery. On the way, visit Chhimi Lhakhang. This nunnery was founded in the 15th century by Lama Dukpa Kinley, also known as the Divine Madman. It is a half-hour walk through a local village and a rice field. After lunch, drive to Paro and free afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Paro - Excursion to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)

  

  After breakfast, drive for half an hour and start the hike, which lasts about 5 hours (round trip). The trail follows an ancient path marked by prayer wheels powered by the river. Upon arriving at Taktsang, you will be struck by the architectural marvel of this Buddhist sanctuary, the most pious in Bhutan. Perched about 1000 m on a cliff overlooking the valley, it can rightly be considered one of the wonders of Bhutan. It was tragically destroyed in a fire at the beginning of 1998. It has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons who opposed the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 AD. Hence the name Taktsang, or "The Tiger's Nest." Return to Ramthangka. If time permits, go further north to visit another symbolic structure, which is now under reconstruction: Drugyel Dzong, or "Castle of the Victorious Drukpa," which was also built by the Shabdrung to commemorate Bhutan's victory over the Tibetans in the 16th century. From here, the Jomolhari peak ("mountain of the goddess") can be seen in clear weather (Alt. 7,329 m/24,029 ft.). Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Paro - Departure

  After breakfast, meet at Paro International Airport for your connecting flight. Our representative will accompany you and bid you farewell. TASHI DELEK !!!