5 Night & 6 Days

Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue – Paro

Trip Inclusions

1. Airport assistance during arrival/departure transfers
2. 5 nights hotel accommodation on Twin/single sharing basis as per above mentioned hotels.
3. HB meal plan (Breakfast & Dinner)
4. Surface transportation by an exclusive chauffeur driven private Hyundai Creta up to 2 pax. For 3-4 pax, Toyota Hiace/Hyundai H1 will be provided as per the program (Not on disposal).
5. Services of an accompanying Private English-speaking guide as per the program
6. Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) @ Rs 1200 per night per person (As per Indian passport holders)
7. Packaged bottled water for entire trip
8. Welcome with traditional Khaddar (traditional white scarf)
9. Presently applicable taxes.

Recommended Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Paro Airport / Drive to Thimphu

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. It offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different styles of stupas; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence.

On arrival, check-in hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 1,30,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu main street and market area. Back to hotel.Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 Thimphu

After breakfast proceed to visit Buddha Dordenma, located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8^th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. This massive statue of Shakyamuni made of bronze and is gilded in gold, measures 51.5 meters in height, making it one of the largest statues, in Bhutan. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, each of these also have been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Textile Museum Bhutanese textiles are an integral part of its culture and heritage and are unique for their diversity and sophistication. Textile Museum at Thimphu has given a new platform to the nation’s textiles and Bhutanese weavers and boasts of an invaluable collection of antique textile artifacts of Bhutan. The museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes - warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the royal collections.

Folk Heritage Museum The Museum is dedicated to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life.

Trashichhoedzong This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Later explore Thimphu’s city centre and local crafts bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials. Back to hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 Drive Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue

After breakfast, explore Centenary Farmers Market of Thimphu. One of the largest domestic markets, it was built in 2008 to mark the coronation of fifth king of Bhutan and hundred years of monarchy. This two storied building has 458 stalls for the sale of vegetable, fruits, meat, farm products. Many stalls here also contain beautifully handcrafted items such as yak tail dusters, butter teacups and other attractive household items.

Then drive to Punakha / Wangduephodrang across Dochu La Pass. Located at a height of 3,088m/10,130 ft, Dochu la is a scenic location with chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate this highest point on the road. If skies are clear, it may be possible to see the following peaks from this pass in the order left to right: Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7, 060 m), a Table Mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,570m.

Also, visit at Dochu la pass Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appears to merge in the details of the temple and its structure tells the story of a supreme warrior figure, whose vision pierces the distant future in a fine blend of history and mythology.

Afternoon visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638, on the top of high ridge between Punak Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu rivers, offering fantastic of the valley below, Wangdue Dzong holds special place in Bhutan’s history. The strategic location of the dzong, provided Penlop (Governor) of Wangduephodrang, chance to protect the routes to Trongsa, Punakha, Dagana and Thimphu making him the third most powerful ruler after Governors of Paro and Trongsa. The Dzong had been damaged by fire in 2012 and restored to its original grandeur and splendour recently (in 2022).

Later visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here. Dinner& Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 Drive Punakha & Wangdue – Paro

After breakfast, check-out and drive to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley. On arrival, check-in hotel.

Later proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala. Evening explore Paro local market and town. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 Paro

After breakfast proceed for an excursion to Taktshang Monastery (approx. 5 hours round trip walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. As per local legends Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

OR

Excursion to Chelela pass.

Chele la (pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour's drive along a thickly forested road, this Pass is a botanical paradise. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. During season here, visitors can see cascades of wild roses, purple and yellow primulas, and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor. The top of the pass bloom with rhododendrons in a variety of colours-pale pink, deep pink, burnt orange, mauve, white and scarlet, in season.

Later en route excursion to Dzongdrakha Gompa. Often called as mini Takstang, Dzongdrakha is a cliff-side temple complex on the western side of the Paro Valley. Four shrines make up the complex, dedicated to Drolma (Tara), Tsheringma (Goddess of Longevity), Guru Rinpoche and the Buddha of the Future, Maitreya. Local oral tradition states that when Guru Rinpoche first came to Bhutan, he came from Nepal, first landing at Drakarpo, and then Dzongdrakha before arriving at Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) farther north up the valley. Located approx. 20-minute drive from Paro, these temples are built on a cliff above Bondey village, but the walk is not as strenuous as Taktshang. From the road, it takes only about 30 minutes’ walk to reach here. The Dzongdrakha village has various temples and is known for most of their men being either fully ordained monks or gomchens (lay monks who don’t take vows of celibacy). Ironically it is the women who work in the fields and are the bread earners unlike in any other part of the country. Evening at leisure in Paro city centre, exploring charming, petite shops selling wide range of handicrafts and local farm products.Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 Depart Paro

After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Paro airport for onward destination.

Per person cost in INR

Supplementary costs

Monument Entry-tickets (Extra, payable directly. Not included in above costs)

Entrances as per itinerary which are payable extra are given below. The entrances can be paid on spot as you visit places.

Closing days of some of monuments mentioned in Itinerary

1. Ta Dzong – Paro (national museum): closed on Government Holidays
2. Folk Heritage Museum - Thimphu: closed on Government Holidays and on Sat open from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and on Sun open from 11.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
3. Textile Museum – Thimphu: Closed on Government Holidays and on Sun and on Sat open from 9.00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hotels will be used as under or equivalent category.

(In case, the below mentioned hotels are not available; we will use similar hotels. If there is a change in price, we will inform you).

Exclusions

1. Airfares
2. Expenses of personal nature, tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages.
3. Entrance for camera and video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, insurance etc.
4. Transportation for personal use / other than the above program.
5. Lunch and other meals than those mentioned above.
6. Any Monuments /Entrance fees during sightseeing
7. Medical Insurance
8. Expense incurred due to bad weather condition, road closes, landslides etc.
9. Any extra expense such as route change, Date change, Accommodation facilities, etc. incurred due to the unforeseen, unavoidable forced majeure circumstances during the tour.
10. Any other item not specified in cost inclusions.
11. Amendment in local Government taxes or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly.
12. TCS

For inquiries, please 📞 9207471224 / 9207827100 -  gdtuae@gmail.com