The Shangrila’s Delight

• Visit to the largest Statue of Buddha in Bhutan
• The Memorial Choeten
• Punakha Dzong (built in 1637)
• A Panoramic view of the Himalayas from the Dochula Pass (3140m)
• Chimi Lhakhang – “The Temple of Fertility”
• A farm house visit
• Excursion to Taktsang – “The Tiger’s Nest”
• Visit to Drugyal Dzong – “The fortress of victory” (built in1644)
• Kichu Monastery (built in 7^th century)
• Visit to Phobjikha/Gangtey Valley – “The most beautiful glacial valley of the Himalayas “The roosting ground for the rare Black-necked cranes.”

Day 01. Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m) (By Druk Air):

Your guide from Druk and Drukpa Travels will receive you at the airport and drive you to the hotel. After tea, visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. It is 16 km northward from Paro proper.

The dzong was built by  Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, in 1647. The dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins. It was built to commemorate victories over Tibetan invasions.

On a clear day, you can see magnificent Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 02. Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m) 

A special day with an excursion to the  spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery.

After breakfast,  a short drive takes us to Satsam Choeten, from there a 2- hour walk till the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.

We stop to rest and for light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see the clear view of Taktsang monastery. The main Lhakhang at the monastery was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye.

This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tigress said to be his favorite consort.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels,”) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong across a traditional cantilever bridge.

In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 03. Thimphu Sightseeing (Altitude 2320 m)

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Choeten (built in 1974 in honor of the late third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk) and the Dupthop Lhakhang, a nunnery.  We then visit the National Library stocked with ancient Buddhist scriptures and the National Institute of Zorig Chusum. It is here where the tradition of Bhutan’s 13 arts and crafts are kept alive.

After lunch, we drive to the National  Institute of Traditional Medicine where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices and to Lungtenzampa to see the Royal silver smiths at work and Bhutanese paper factory.

Other highlights include a visit to Tashichho Dzong. The dzong houses the office of His Majesty the king and is the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body. The dzong also serves as the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Finally, visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the capital city.

Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha (Altitude 1310 m, 72 Km, 3 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while to get a glimpse of the towering Himalayas.

In Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is situated at the confluence of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The place was once the capital city of Bhutan.

The construction of the Dzong is believed to have been foretold by Guru Rinpoche. The small dzong called Dzongchung that exists even today   housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Zhabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue. While Palep was sleeping, the Zhabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri (Paradise) and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong. The design was never put on paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je Khenpo.

The third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, convened the first National Assembly in Punakha in 1952.

After Lunch, excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 05 – Punakha – Gangtey (Altitude 3120 m)

We start early today. After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. En route, sightseeing in the Wangdiphodrang valley. Places of interest include: visit to Wangduephodrang Dzong (from outside). It was built in 1638. Legend has that as people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign representing the spread of Buddhist religion in the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Dang Chu rivers.

While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the temple in 1613. And Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation, built the temple. The present abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal, is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.

Explore Phobjikha valley. It is the winter roosting place for the Black-necked Cranes. Dinner and overnight in Guest House.

Day 06. Gangtey – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m) After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit Folk Heritage Museum and free for shopping and photography in the town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 07. Departure: (Altitude 2280 m) Early in the  morning, drive to the airport and farewell.

• Hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling temple.
• Visit a Bhutanese farm house.
• Mountain biking in Thimphu.
• Rafting in Punakha.
• Hike to Gogona valley in Gangtey.
• Excursion to Shingkhar village / Ura valley.
• Hike to Tangbi Lhakhang and Thangbi village.
• Hike to Tharpaling Monastery.
• Excursion to Dzongdrakha Lhakhang
• Excursion to Chelila pass.

1. All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
2. Accommodation [Twin Sharing] Single Room Supplement Extra US $: 40 per room per night.
3. All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
4. Royalty & Govt. Taxes
5. Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments only
6. Visa Fee.
7. Airport tax
8. Tourism Development fund
9. Sightseeing

• Druk Air fare.
• Insurance Premiums,
• Payments for service provided on a personal basis
• Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.