Bhutan Land of the Thunder Dragon Tour

• Arrive Paro • Lunch in a local restaurant • Transfer to Thimphu • Enroute stop Chuzom • Check-in at hotel • Afternoon visit Kuenselphodrang • Evening free • Dinner and overnight at hotel Your Tour begins with an arrival at Paro, flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. This journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. On arrival you will be met at the airport by our representative and after immigration formalities you will be transfer to a local restaurant for Lunch. After lunch you will drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas ; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left Tschogang Lhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. Evening, drive to Buddha Point (Kuenselphodrang) where you can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Later take an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

• Breakfast at hotel • Full Day Tour of Thimphu • Lunch in a local restaurant • Evening free. • Dinner and Overnight at hotel. After breakfast we will take you for the sightseeing of Thimphu and you can visit the following : National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. You will also visit nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum also known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. We will also take you to Textile Museum which is opened in 2001, it is fascinating testimony of Bhutan’s living traditions. Simply Bhutan, which is a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. You will also visit Trashichhoedzong, This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body. Later you will also visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and Local Crafts Bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. Special Note:- 1- National Library Closed on Weekends & Govt Holidays 2- Zorig Chusum closed on Sat, Sun & Government Holidays. 3- Textile Museum Closed on Sundays

• Breakfast at hotel • Check-out from hotel • Drive to Dochu-la pass • Later drive to Punakha • Check-in at hotel in Punakha • Afternoon excursion Chimi Lakhang • Dinner and overnight at hotel After breakfast you will drive to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the you can also see the following peaks from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. (Sight of pass will be subject to weather conditions) Afternoon take a short excursion to Chimi Lakhang, located on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatise his teachings and due to this also known as ‘Divine Madman’. This temple is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to Chimi Lhakhang. Late afternoon at leisure in Punakha. Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha. (Altitude 1300m) Overnight at hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel • Excursion to Phobjikha / Gangtey • Lunch in a local restaurant • explore Phobjikha valley • Evening free • Dinner and overnight at hotel After breakfast you will take a full day excursion to Phobjikha / Gangtey. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed. On arrival visit Gangtey Goempa. Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountain’s and also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the Monastery. Lunch in a local restaurant . After lunch explore fascinating Phobjikha valley. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter winter in milder and lower climate. Phobjikha, at an altitude of 2900 m, falls under the district of Wangduephodrang and lies on the periphery of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley boasts two beautiful meandering rivers, Nakay Chhu (Chhu Naap-black water) and Gay Chhu (Chhu Karp-white water). Evening return to Punakha. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel • Visit Punakha Dzong, • Check-out from hotel • Drive to Paro • Check-in at hotel • Lunch in the hotel • Afternoon visit Ta Dzong • Walk through Rinpung Dzong • Overnight at hotel After breakfast you will visit the Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. After visit of Punakha Dzone you will drive to Paro. Upon arrival in Paro , check in at the Hotel . Lunch in the hotel. Afternoon you will visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum in 1968. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors You will also enjoy a walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Note:- Ta Dzong remains closed on Government Holidays.

• Breakfast at hotel • excursion to Taktshang Lhakhang • Lunch in the hotel. • Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang • Overnight at hotel After breakfast you will take a excursion to Taktshang Lhakhang (approx 5 hours walk) perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley floor, it is undoubtedly one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. Lore has it that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery thus the name ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor. After visit return to hotel for Lunch. Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. En route visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

• Breakfast at hotel • Check-out from hotel • Transfer to airport • Board the flight After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.