Delhi Paro Delhi Airfare
Breakfast
02 Nights’ Accommodation in Thimphu
01 Nights’ Accommodation in Punakha
02 Nights’ Accommodation in Paro
All Transfers by PVT Vehicle
All Sightseeing by PVT Vehicle
Driver allowances, toll, parking etc

Day 01: Arrive Paro –Drive to Thimphu (2500m 55 kms 01 hour drive)
KUZUZANGPO LA! WELCOME
After completing the immigration formalities, we will exit the airport where our team will welcome you.
From Paro airport, we will start our drive towards the Capital of the Country, Thimphu.We will take an hour of pleasant driving along the Pa Chu [Paro River] till Chunzum, the confluence point of Pa Chu and Wang Chu [Thimphu River]. From here the road climbs steadily as we drive upstream along the Wang Chu passing the villages of Kharbije, Khasadrapchu and Namseling. As we approach Simtokha, we will have the first glance of the Capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.In the evening, visit the TashichhoDzong; the main secretarial building which houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and also the head seat of Chief Abbot of Bhutan. It is the summer resident of the monk body, the winter being in Punakha Dzong.Located at the banks of the Wangchhu River the massive fortress was built in 1641 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyal and rebuilt in its present form in 1965 by the Third King of Bhutan JigmeDorjiWangchuck.We will spend the rest of our time browsing through the Handicrafts Lane of Thimphu where there are more than 50 Government appointed shops selling the traditional Bhutanese crafts that you can buy as souvenirs. They are located near your hotel so it is very convenient. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: ThimphuToday after breakfast we will begin our day with the visit to the famous landmark of the capital, the Memorial Chorten, consecrated in the memory of the Third kind of Bhutan who is regarded as the father of the modern Bhutan. Just as you enter the Chorten, you will be amazed to witness the local people, young and the old alike, circumambulate the Chorten with the prayer beads or the prayer wheel in hand, murmuring the sacred words of prayers. The tall four storied Chorten contains statues and iconography of deities from the tantric teachings. Next we will witness the National Animal of Bhutan, Takin, at the Takin Reserve. Takin are related to sheep and weigh up to 650 kgs. According to the local folktale, the Divine Madman, DrukpaKunley, created the Takin by joining the goat’s head in the body of the Cow. This interesting animal is an endangered species found only in a few pockets of the Himalayas. Visit Folk Heritage Museum.One of the oldest houses in Thimphu was converted into the Folk Heritage Museum in 2001 to give an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Bhutanese forefathers. It is like entering a traditional Bhutanese home in, say, 150 years back.After your lunch visit the famous Changangkha Lhakhang, built in the 13th century. Situated on a small hill overlooking the Thimphu valley the monastery was built by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. Children born in Thimphu are taken to this temple because it is considered the spiritual home of the children born in Chang valley and their names are considered here by taking the blessings from the protector deity Tamdrin. If we are lucky, we can witness the local family with the child here performing the rituals. Inside the Lhakhang, the central statue in the temple is Avalokitesvara, Buddha of compassion, in his manifestation with 11 heads, a thousand hands and eyes; it is built with bronze and plated with gold Next we will visit Buddha Dordenma, which is one of the largest Buddha statue in the World at 169 feet. The body of the Buddha is filled with 1,25,000 smaller statues of Buddha. The view of the Thimphu valley is spectacular from this point.Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m 85 kms 03 hours drive) After breakfast we will drive towards Dochula Pass, a 16 kilometers, 40 minutes drive through the winding road, amidst the forest of Pines and Juniper and the lovely view of the Simtokha Dzong as we ascend slowly towards Dochula Pass. The Dochula Pass an altitude of about 3100 m offers a superb view of the highest peaks, the sharp peak being Masagang (7200 m) dominating the region, others are Tsendagang (6960 m), Terigang (7060 m), Jejegangphugang (7158m) and Kang Shuang (7170m). The 108 beautiful Chortens in the pass amidst the fluttering prayer flags is the visitor’s delight.
We will spend our time here taking a stroll in between the chortens, breathing in the fresh air, admiring the mountain ranges and getting lost in nature.After this wonderful visit, we will take the downhill drive towards Punakha.After lunch, it is time to take a beautiful hike on the paddy fields towards Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Mad Man called Drukpa Kuenley. We can take a picturised and leisurely walk through the paddy field, no steep climb here, just easy walk in the paddy field. The return journey takes about an hour and a half or two.
PUNAKHA DZONG
Further drive to Punakha, we will visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan built in 1637 by Shabdrung, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan prior to the present dynasty. It is an old capital, which still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. It is now the winter residence of the Central Monastic Community and administrative headquarters of Punakha district.After this wonderful visit will witness one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 350m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals from the other side of the town as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong. After a few photography sessions we will drive back to the hotel.Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Punakha – Paro (2200m 127 km 03 hrs 30 mins drive)After breakfast we will retrace towards Dochula Pass and continue the descent along the Wang Chu [Thimphu River] to meet Pa Chu [Paro River] at Chunzom, the confluence point of Pa Chu and Wang Chu. A few kilometres from Chunzum is the Thamchok Lhakhang, a private temple owned by the descendent of the famous Tibetan bridge builder, Thangthong Gyelpo, also known as the “Iron Chain Bridge Builder”. Still you can see the iron chain bridge built by him. It is a photographer’s delight.Upon arrival in Paro check in at the hotel.After lunch visit the National Museum and the Rinpung Dzong [Paro Dzong].The Museum boasts of its collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes. There are also textiles, jewellery, and handicrafts sections as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps’ hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. Located below the Museum is Paro Dzong.Also called the Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, Paro Dzong was built in 1645 by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is an imposing square fortress with a central tower and courtyards housing the administrative quarters and the monastic section.After the visit, we will take the leisurely downhill walk to cross the typical Bhutanese Cantilever Bridge, one of the finest specimens in Bhutan with its shingle roof and two guard-houses at each end. At the other end of the bridge will be our waiting coach and further drive to the town for souvenir shopping in Paro town.Rest of the time at leisure.

OPTIONAL AT EXTRA COST
BHUTANESE CULTURAL PROGRAM [have to book in advance]
It will be an interesting event to experience a cultural program exclusively performed for the group. The programme will be for about 45 minutes to an hour [max].
The programme is organized to give the visitors an insight into the cultural/traditional of the Bhutanese people performed by a small group of professionals.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Paro ( Hike to Taktsang) or (Excursion to Chele –la Pass) Today the guest has the option to choose either hike to Taktsang Monastery or take can excursion to Chele la pass
After breakfast drive 20 minutes to the end of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong from where one can see the towering peak of Jomolhari (7,316m, 24,003 ft). This mountain, also revered as a powerful goddess, forms the border with Tibet and provides magnificent background to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and village.Hike to Taktsang MonasteryTaktsang Monastery, clinging on the steep rock, is one of the holiest temple in Bhutan.It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew on the Tigress back and meditated here. The trek to the temple through the pine tree and sweet aroma of the air is indeed a very special and memorable event. The return hike will take about 05-06 hours.The hike is usually till the cafeteria from where we will have a breathtaking view of the Monastery and a photographer’s delight.After the visit it is an easy descend of 03 hours. After the hike we will return back to our hotel .

NOTE:
For the first 03 hours, we will take the ascend on the well marked trail to reach the cafeteria [lunch point] from where we will get the best view of the Tiger’s Nest. Further 02 hours hike will reach us to the Monastery. However, the recommended hike is till the cafeteria.
OR
Excursion to Chelele Pass
After breakfast we will take the excursion drive to Chele-la pass. It is at an elevation of 13000 ft, considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. After driving through Plue pine & Rhododendron forest for 45 KM you reach Chele-la pass( 4200 meters). From this point one can have a superb view of Mount Jomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for a few minutes enjoying the view. Late afternoon drive back to Paro

Day 06: Paro – Onward DestinationAfter breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to onward destination.

Meals other than specified above
Tips, Porterage, any personal expenses.
Any other expenses which are not mentioned in the itinerary.