Day 1 WELCOME TO BHUTAN AND THE RICE FIELDS AND VILLAGES OF PARO.
Arrive in Paro and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in Paro valley. Visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, which featured in Bertolucci’s film “Little Buddha” and then descend on foot to the traditional bridge and into Paro town, where you can spend some free time.
O/N Paro
Day 2 TEMPLES AND DIVINE MADMEN IN PUNAKHA.
Drive to Punakha (3½hrs). A one-hour drive from Thimphu brings you to the Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3,000m. Stop to circumabulate the 108 chorten and enjoy the view of the Himalayan peaks in the distance. Then descend to 1,200m and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of 15th Century Lam Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the “Divine Madman”. Continue towards Punakha Dzong, which was the former fortress capital of Bhutan. The monks live here during the winter months, moving from their cooler summer residence in Thimphu Dzong.
For those who enjoy village walks and hiking, we have a choice of two wonderful walking tours that you can opt for today.
O/N Punakha
Day 3 A DAY IN THE HIGH-ALTITUDE PHOBJIKHA VALLEY
Drive to Phobjikha valley (4½hrs). Visit Gangtey Monastery and the school for novice monks known as a ‘shedra’. Also visit the RSPN black-necked crane information centre. Various options today include cycling or hiking in the valley as well as watching the cranes during the winter months. Stop for tea or lunch in a traditional farmhouse.
O/N Phobjikha
Day 4 PHOBJIKHA HIKING AND DRIVE TO THIMPHU
Morning in Phobjikha. Pack your bags in the car and set out for a morning hike on the Nature Trail before driving to Thimphu with lunch en route (5½ hrs). Free time browsing in the city. Shops stay open until about 8pm. While browsing in town, we suggest a visit to the Post office museum to see the stamp collection or to make your very own stamp and a visit to the handmade paper workshop or the various weaving centres.
O/N Thimphu
Day 5 SIGHTSEEING IN THE TINY CAPITAL, THIMPHU: CRAFTSMEN AND DZONGS.
Start the day at the huge Buddha statue with a great view over the city. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum to get an idea of life in an ancient Bhutanese farmhouse. At the Institute for the 13 Traditional Arts (Zorig Chusum) students learn one of 13 skills such as statue-making, Buddhist painting or silk embroidery.If you are interested in traditional herbal-based medicine you can choose to visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine. Alternatively, at the Textile Museum you will learn about the intricate silk weaving which is very much a part of Bhutanese culture. Visit the Chang-gangkha Temple, where locals take their children to be named. Drive up to the Takin Reserve to see the national animal and visit one of a choice of museums.
O/N Thimphu
Day 6 THIMPHU: ATTEND THE FESTIVAL
In the morning attend Thimphu masked dance festival in the dzong. The festivities consist mainly of masked dances, chanting, blessing & reading religious texts. The repertory of masked dances and the gorgeous silk costumes are the same for all the ‘tsechu’ – only the settings are different. Thronging with locals, these occasions are a visual delight. The festival
continues into the afternoon and you can stay as long as you wish. Visit the impressive Thimphu Dzong (Trashicho dzong) which is a fortress-like building housing important offices of both the government and the monastic body as well as a number of temples.Archery is the national sport of the Bhutanese so spend some time at the archery ground today where you are sure to find some archers honing their skills. Finally, take a stroll to the Memorial Chorten, where you will meet people of all walks of life circumambulating the stupa with their hand-held prayer wheels.In the late afternoon drive to Paro (1 hr). En route stop at the chain bridge at Tamchog Lhakhang.
O/N Paro
Day 7 MORNING HIKE TO THE TIGER’S NEST: A TRUE PILGRIMAGE.
Hike or horserideto Taktsang temple, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, which is built into the sheer rock face at an altitude of 3,000 metres. This is a highlight of the tour and involves a 2-hour uphill hike. The visit to the temple, and the return downhill to the base makes this a 4-hour round trip. This hike requires a certain level of fitness but is not excessively difficult.
In the afternoon drive towards the ruined fortress Drugyel Dzong from where you can get a view of the distant Jhomolhari mountain and enjoy the rural scenery of the valley with its small villages and farms scattered here and there. On the return to town, visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. You may wish to book a massage at one of several hotel spas to relax after your hike.
O/N Paro
Day 8 FLIGHT DEPARTURE FROM PARO.
After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your flight. Tashi delek!
