The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1hour) following the Pachu River.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Following breakfast, you will proceed on your guided sightseeing tour of Thimphu. The tour included visit to the National Library which is home to an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. You will also visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School. Here students undergo training in the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan in a course lasting six years. Later you will visit the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum which is a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese living traditions and material culture.

In the afternoon, after having Lunch (on your own) you will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten which is continuously circumambulated by devotees while chanting mantras and spinning the prayer wheels present here. The idea of constructing this important landmark was conceived by His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wanchuk, Bhutan’s third King. He is also known as the Father of Modern Bhutan and wished for this monument to be erected in hopes of world peace and prosperity. The monument was completed in 1974, after the untimely death of His Majesty. Today it stands as both a monument to peace and a memorial to the late King.

You will later visit the Handicrafts Emporium that is run by the Bhutanese government and also small local shops where you can witness examples of traditional arts and handicrafts. You can pick up some exquisite thangka paintings, hand-woven textiles, wood and slate carvings, jewelry, mask, ceramics, and other unique souvenirs made from local material. In the evening you will drive past the majestic Trashichhoedzong, or the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion”. This landmark serves as the center of the Bhutanese government and religion, the Monarch’s throne room, and the seat of the Chief Abbot or Je Khenpo. It was built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the religious and political unifier of Bhutan and reconstructed in the 1960s. It is built in the traditional Bhutanese style without the use of any architectural plans or nails. After a full day’s sightseeing, you will return to your hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu. (Breakfast)

We can witness the 108 memorial Stupas in three layers, built by Eldest Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk to honor the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war to make the country peaceful. The prayers bring us the teardrops to thank them and Stupas are very much respected.

There are also chains of meditation caves full of Bhutanese paintings which can drive away the evils and the chain of caves signifies the chain of Dharma.

The broad valley with its best-known marshland in Bhutan, is popular for its scenic splendor and cultural uniqueness. The valley is rich in faunal biodiversity and has, apart from the globally threatened black-necked cranes.

Upon reaching Phobijakha valley visit Gangtey Monastry seated atop a hill that overlooks almost the entire Phobjikha Valley, visiting Gangtey Goempa should be the first thing to do in Gangtey Valley. A 17th century Buddhist monastery, it is one of the most famed as well as pious sites to visit in the entire valley. In the evening if interested hike through nature trails.

After breakfast drive to Punakha on the way Visit Chimi Lhakhang monastery is famous for its wooden phallus which Lama Drukpa Kuenley brought from Tibet. The interesting thing is that newly married couples and ones who are barren can visit and circumambulate carrying the wooden phallus and pray to beget a baby. So far it has granted the wish and is known all over the world for the miracle.

Just next to the monastery is Stupa where Lama Drukpa Kinley subdued the demon of Dochula with his thunderbolt after chasing a long way from Dochula. We have a belief that the demon was sealed under Stupa. The stupa is black in color.

Visit Punakha Dzong when we come out of the car, you look at the Dzong, it is so majestically stands between two rivers. The structure itself is completely of Bhutanese architecture. Then the land where Dzong stands is said to be sleeping elephant trunk. 

To get inside the Dzong, we will get to the very beautiful Bhutanese wooden bridge. The style, the designs, the paintings are all according to our traditional way, you will love to walk over it. 

The Dzong is very important, it was first capital of Bhutan. It is the second largest and second oldest Dzong in Bhutan.

The Dzong is very important in many reasons, therefore most of our special events are done in this Dzong, like our Fifth King and Queen Ashi Jetsen Pema Wangchuk took place their Royal Wedding in the Punakha Dzong.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Later you will proceed for an exciting excursion to the most iconic landmark of Bhutan, the Taktsang Monastery. It is also known as the Tiger’s Nest and is a must-see for anyone visiting Bhutan. The monastery is located outside Paro and the total time for the excursion is approximately five hours.

It is believed that Guru Rinpoche arrived at the spot of this monastery on the back of a tigress and meditated. That is why it has earned the name “Tiger’s Nest”. Nestled on the side of a steep hillside, the monastery is a majestic landmark that you must visit during your stay in Bhutan. After you have clicked photos and caught your breath from the climb, you will head back to Paro.

En route you will visit the Kyichu Lakhang. It is one of the old and most sacred shrines ob the Bhutanese Kingdom.

Overnight stay at hotel in Paro. (Breakfast)

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. According to legend, the great Guru Rimpoche and his consort are said to have meditated in a cave here for three months when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. After meditation, they manifested themselves in the forms of Guru Dorji Drolo and a tigress to subdue demons in the valley below. The cave, where the monastery was later built is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments before returning to Paro for lunch.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.