An Introductory Trip to the Dragon Kingdom

This short trip from Kathmandu to Bhutan, highlights major tourist places; Paro valley, Thimphu (capital of Bhutan), Wangdie-Punakha, the major Buddhist shrines or Monasteries and the scenic terraced landscapes. The tour will be well organized from airport to airport with a local guide, private vehicle transfers and accommadation (included - all meals) as per Tourism regulation set by the Bhutanese Authority. Please check the itinerary of this trip as given below.

DAY 01 - FLY KATHMANDU – PARO

Arrive by Druk air A319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our agent in Bhutan and transfer to hotel.  If time permits - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong.  It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

* Sightseeing on this day –depend on time permit – and our local guide will adjust the places left for the next day.

DAY 02 - PARO - THIMPHU

Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Late after noon drive 2 hours to Thimphu (65  Kms) which is the capital of Bhutan. Evening free time.Hotel River view or similar (all meals).

DAY 03 - THIMPHU – WANGDUEPHODRANG

Morning Thimphu sightseeing - visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and the new Drupthob nunnery temple. Afternoon 3 hours drive to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass (3100 meters). On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Dzong from outside and the market area. Overnight Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

DAY 04 - WANGDUEPHODRANG-PUNAKHA –THIMPHU-PARO

Morning drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

DAY 05 - FLY PARO – KATHMANDU

As per the flight time, transfer to Paro airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.

*Paro sightseeing places can be adjusted on this day due to flight timing in the afternoon if the first day is not enough time to visit there as planned. Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, transfer to hotel.

*** This itinerary can be changed or modified as per your time, requirement and interest.

Cost of This Trip:

For more information and booking this trip, please contact us in advance. Thank you for your time.

DAY 01 - FLY KATHMANDU – PARO

Arrive by Druk air A319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our agent in Bhutan and transfer to hotel.  If time permits - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong.  It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

* Sightseeing on this day –depend on time permit – and our local guide will adjust the places left for the next day.

DAY 02 - PARO - THIMPHU

Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Late after noon drive 2 hours to Thimphu (65  Kms) which is the capital of Bhutan. Evening free time.Hotel River view or similar (all meals).

DAY 03 - THIMPHU – WANGDUEPHODRANG

Morning Thimphu sightseeing - visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and the new Drupthob nunnery temple. Afternoon 3 hours drive to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass (3100 meters). On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Dzong from outside and the market area. Overnight Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

DAY 04 - WANGDUEPHODRANG-PUNAKHA –THIMPHU-PARO

Morning drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar (all meals).

DAY 05 - FLY PARO – KATHMANDU

As per the flight time, transfer to Paro airport for your flight back to Kathmandu.

*Paro sightseeing places can be adjusted on this day due to flight timing in the afternoon if the first day is not enough time to visit there as planned. Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, transfer to hotel.

*** This itinerary can be changed or modified as per your time, requirement and interest.

Cost of This Trip:

For more information and booking this trip, please contact us in advance. Thank you for your time.