Bhutan - Kingdom of Thunder Dragon        

Bhutan is a country nestled in the eastern Himalayas. The country has been visited by great many saints, mystics, scholars and pilgrims over the centuries who not only came for their personal elucidation, but also blessed the land and its people with an invaluable spiritual and cultural legacy that has shaped every facet of Bhutanese lives. Visitors and guests to the country will be surprised that the culture and the traditional lifestyle is still richly intact and at the degree to which it permeates all strands of modern day secular life. From the traditional woven garments to the prayer flags on high mountain slopes, from the built environment to the natural environment, from the religious mask dances to the folk dances, this cultural heritage is proudly evident and offers a unique cultural setting.                                                                     

DAY 01 - 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 representative and transfer to Kichu Resort or similar.  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. * Sightseeing on this day – depend on time permit – and your guide will adjust the places, if any.  O/N at Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

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. Overnight at Hotel River view or similar. Overnight at Hotel River view or similar (F/B)

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 at Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 04 - WANGDUEPHODRANG

After breakfast to go for full day excursion to Gangtey - Gangtey Gompa in the Phobjikha Valley, is a 16th century monastery. It is the only monastery in Bhutan, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.
The Phobjikha valley is home to rare black naked Crane, an endangered species, which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau in winters,about 250-300 of these reside in this beautiful valley, and return to Wangdiphodrang in the evening. Overnight stay at resort in Wangdi. O/N AT Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 05 - 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. O/N at Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 06 - FLY PARO - KATHMANDU

After breakfast to check out and depending on flight timings to transfer to the Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Meet at airport and transfer to your hotel.

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

Cost of This Trip:

DAY 01 - 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 representative and transfer to Kichu Resort or similar.  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. * Sightseeing on this day – depend on time permit – and your guide will adjust the places, if any.  O/N at Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

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. Overnight at Hotel River view or similar. Overnight at Hotel River view or similar (F/B)

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 at Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 04 - WANGDUEPHODRANG

After breakfast to go for full day excursion to Gangtey - Gangtey Gompa in the Phobjikha Valley, is a 16th century monastery. It is the only monastery in Bhutan, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.
The Phobjikha valley is home to rare black naked Crane, an endangered species, which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau in winters,about 250-300 of these reside in this beautiful valley, and return to Wangdiphodrang in the evening. Overnight stay at resort in Wangdi. O/N AT Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 05 - 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. O/N at Kichu Resort or similar (F/B)

DAY 06 - FLY PARO - KATHMANDU

After breakfast to check out and depending on flight timings to transfer to the Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Meet at airport and transfer to your hotel.

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

Cost of This Trip: