Paro - Thimphu - Punakha-06 Days

Detail Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrive Paro – Thimphu

  After arriving & visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will be welcomed by our tour representative who will be your tour guide during your entire trip in Bhutan. Check into your hotel in Thimphu. Free until lunchtime for some rest from early morning flight, refreshment and lunch.
  Afternoon, you will visit the following places:-
  
  Tachogang Lhakhang
  Tachogang Lhakhang is located in Paro district, on the way to Thimphu. It was founded by Thankthong Gyelpo after he experienced a vision of Guru Rinpoche, Amitaba, and Avalokiteshvara near site. The caretakers today are said to be descendants of Thangtong Gyelpo. Inside the temple, one can see the master’s relics, including his walking stick.
  
  Tashichho Dzong
  The Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery cum fortress at the northern edge of Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan. The Dzong was built on the western bank of the river Wang Chu and has historically served at the seat of the DrukDesi or the Dharma Raja of Bhutan’s government. After the kings assumed power in 1907 this post was combined with that of the king and Thimphu severed as the summer capital of the kingdom before becoming the full-time capital of Bhutan.

• Day 2

  Thimphu

  After the breakfast we will drive to following places:
  
  Kuensel Phodrang
  The Kuensel Phodrang or the Buddha point is the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, the statue is 167 feet high. The statue is situated on top of a hill overlooking the city of Thimphu; it can be accessed by road and is about 15 minutes away from the city’s center. The word Kuensel means everything is clear and from this place, you will surely enjoy a great view of the Thimphu Valley on both sides. The statute will house a temple inside it, the statue and its adjoining car park and recreational center.
  
  National Memorial Chorten
  The National Memorial was built by Bhutan's third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan." He wanted to erect a monument carrying the message of world peace and prosperity. However, he was unable to give shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state and other regal responsibilities. After his untimely demise in 1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to eternal peace, harmony, and tranquillity.
  
  Motithang Takin Preserve
  The Motithang Takin Preserve also known as the Thimphu Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin Bhutan’s national animal.
  It was originally a mini zoo, but it was converted in a preserve later on as the Takin. The mini zoo contained a small number of Takin but the King of Bhutan later decreed that it was improper for a Buddhist nation to keep an animal in captivity. The animals were set free and the zoo was shut down, but for some reason, the Takin refused to leave the area for the forests nearby

• Day 3

  Thimphu – Punakha

  Post early breakfast, you will drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass. We will stop over for tea at Dochula (3,100 m), where on a sunny day; you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. The Dochu La Pass is probably the best-known mountain pass in Bhutan. Located at an altitude of 3150 meters above sea level, the Dochu La Pass is about 30 kilometers away from the capital city Thimphu and the road to Punakha. On a clear day, the pass offers visitors a spectacular view of the majestic eastern Himalayan Ranges
  
  Chimi Lhakhang
  This temple was built in 1499 by Drukpa Kinley's best follower. Drukpa Kinley is popularly known as “Devine Mad Man” of which his teaching is through sex. Your local guide will explain in detail when you reach there.
  
  Punakha Dzong
  The Punakha Dzong or the Pungtang Dechen Phortang Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu which in turn is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Dzhong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal Wangchuck in 1638 on the exact spot as prophesized by the Guru Rinpoche some 800 years ago. According to the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche, “a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. And lo behold! Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal found that the peak of the hill was in the shape of an elephant’s trunk and built the Dzong at that very spot.

• Day 4

  Punakha – Paro

  After breakfast, you will drive to Paro.
  Rimpung Dzhong
  The Paro Dzong is probably Bhutan's best-known and most iconic Dzhong. This is probably the first building you will notice when you land at Paro International Airport and will probably be your first memory of Bhutan.
  The imposing Dzhong is perhaps the finest example of Dzhong architecture in the world today, the massive buttered walls of the fortress dominate over the valley. The Rinpung Dzhong's names translate to the “Fortress on a heap of Jewels ".

• Day 5

  Paro

  After early morning breakfast, we will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world. It is a sight to behold.
  Taktshang or the Tigers lair as the monastery is called, it is widely regarded as one of the most important monuments of spiritual significance in Bhutan. Its history is deeply associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, the revered Indian saint who came to Bhutan in the 8th century AD.
  
  Kyichu Lhakhang
  The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The temple was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th Century AD. The Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples constructed by him to subdue a demon that was terrorizing the people of the Himalayas.
  
  The Lhakhang underwent many extensions during the ages with the last one being carried out in 1965 by the Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck. She added another new structure to the temple called the Guru Lhakhang. As one of the oldest Lhakahangs, it houses many important relics. One of the most important relics of the temple is a 7th-century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni which is believed to have cast at the same time as its famous counterpart in Lhasa Tibet. In evening we will visit local market of Paro and overnight in a hotel in Paro.

• Day 6

  Paro Departure

  Our tours come to an end today. A representative from Thai Nepal Travels will take you to the airport approximately 2 hours before the scheduled flight or train. We hope you have enjoyed the tour with us, and we are sure you will be back making another trip somewhere with Thai Nepal Travels again.
  
  Including: Breakfast