Western Bhutan Cultural Tours
(6 Days / 5 Nights)
DAY 01. BKK/PBH – THIMPHU
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours will greet you on arrival, and then drive you to the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this region. After this we will have lunch in the Paro town. Then we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Dinner and over night stay in the hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 02. THIMPHU HALT
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and the Drupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then drive to the view point of Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan), for your photograph and Folk Heritage museum.
Lunch will be served in the town. After lunch we will be visiting the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium and shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Evening at leisure.
Diner and over night stay at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 03. THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
After the breakfast, we will drive to Punakha via Wangdue Phodrang. The drive will take about 3hours. At Dochula pass (3150m) we can see the eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges on the clear days. The view is so great and spectacular. Then the road will descend to 1300m above sea level, Wangduephodrang valley. The vegetation is made up of rhododendron, magnolia bloom in early spring and through the subtropical forest. At Wangdue Phodrang, we will visit Wangdue Dzong, was founded by the Lama Zhamdrung in 1638.
Lunch at Wangdue. After lunch we will drive to Punakha. On the way we will visit Chhimi Lhakhang, which is located at a hilltop. We have to walk about 25minutes from the road point. This temple is also known as temple of fertility. Then we will continue our journey to Punakha. At Punakha we will visit Punakha Dzong; it was the winter capital of Bhutan until 1955 when the capital was permanently shifted to Thimphu. It still served as the winter resident for the monk body.
Dinner and over night stay at hotel, Punakha.
DAY 04. PUNAKHA – PARO
After our breakfast, we will drive to the viewpoint of Khamsum Yule Namgyel chorten. From here we will drive to Paro over Dochula pass. The drive will take about 5hours 30minutes.
Lunch will be served at Dochula cafeteria. After lunch we will continue our journey to Paro.
Dinner and over night stay at hotel, Paro.
DAY 05. PARO HALT
After early breakfast, hike to the view point of Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery. We have to walk about 1hours & 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. After enjoying the view & photographs, and refreshment at the viewpoint (Taktshang Cafeteria) we will walk back.
Lunch will be served in the town.
After lunch we will visit National Museum of Bhutan and Kyichu Lhakhang.
Evening stroll around the Paro town.
Dinner will be served in the farm house.
Over night stay in the hotel, Paro.
Today we will drive to Paro international Airport to catch the flight to your next destination. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell and we wish you a safe and pleasant journey back home and hope to see you again in Bhutan.
