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Glimpses of Bhutan
Kathmandu - Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdue
Highlights
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One of the last unspoiled gems of the Himalayas
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Experience the preserved traditional Buddhist culture
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Visit monasteries, fortresses, and enjoy stunning views
Guide Pricing
$1,867USD
From
PRICE PER PERSON INCLUDING TWIN SHARE ACCOMMODATION, ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT, UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.
Day 1
Detailed Itinerary
Paro -Thimphu
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide and depart to Paro town for lunch. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. Late afternoon depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1½ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 2
Thimphu valley – Punakha
Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit to the visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk visit National Library,stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. Other high lights include a visit to the Handicrafts Emporium,which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Lunch will be served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch drive a short way to Chubachu where you will be able to witness a Cultural Programme consisting of Mask Dances and Folk Songs performed by Royal Academy of performing Arts (RAPA) and then depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 3
Punakha – Wangdue – Paro
After breakfast drive to visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu and then continue your drive to Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then drive your way back to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 4
Paro Valley Sightseeing
In the morning drive towards the north of Paro valley to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m) and then drive to Satsam Chorten to hike to Paro Taktsang, the hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’snest).The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and then drive your way back to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Lunch served at a restaurant in Paro. After lunch drive to visit Evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 5
Paro – Kathmandu (by Druk Air)
Early breakfast will be served at your hotel and then drive to Paro airport where your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.
Tour Includes
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The cost includes: Bhutan tour using A class ( 3 star) level hotels with all meals, guide, Bhutan visa and travel permit and flight from Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu
Any cost not mentioned above is not included.
Further Itinerary Suggestions
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