The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Flying along with the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift  as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air.

After immigration formalities, you will be welcomed by our representative with a ‘tashi khaddar’ (white scarf offering to the guest which is an auspicious way to welcome) and then transfer to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence).

On arrival in Thimphu at the hotel, Chibdral ceremony (traditional welcome ceremony), followed by check-into the hotel.

The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions.

Afternoon take a short drive to the north of town to Buddha Dordenma, located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. This massive statue of Shakyamuni made of bronze and is gilded in gold, measures 51.5 meters in height, making it one of the largest statues, in Bhutan. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, each of these also have been cast in bronze and gilded.

Here at Buddha Point, you have an option to perform meditation at a designated area. Meditation is followed by a hot cup of tea/coffee at a suitable site nearby admiring the grand view of Thimphu valley and beyond.

Evening traditional cultural performance at the hotel, followed by dinner.

All Bhutanese art, dance, drama and music have their roots in the Buddhist religion. The music of Bhutan is an integral part of its culture and plays a leading role in transmitting social values while Dances are performed wearing ornate costumes and masks and each aspect of dance has a symbolic meaning.

The program sequenced as follows:
1.  Welcome song
2.  Pacham ni gi dance (a dance performed ramming earth)
3.  Mask dance (performed by a professional artist wearing a traditional ornate costume)
4.  Thrungthrung dance (black neck crane dance, religious welcome to black-necked cranes, a rare endangered species of birds)
6.  Layap dance (dance permanence based on folklore performed by girls in their traditional attires)
7.  Merak Sakteng Dance (dance permanence based on folklore, performed by boys in their traditional attires)
8.  Tashi ley bay (farewell dance/even the guest can join the troupe)

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (altitude 2,320m).

Morning a special prayer ceremony is held at the monastery by a team of monks for peace, prosperity and good health, followed by the lightening of a butter lamp.

Later after breakfast at the hotel, drive to visit Textile Museum. Bhutanese textiles are an integral part of its culture and heritage and are unique for their diversity and sophistication. Textile Museum at Thimphu has given a new platform to the nation’s textiles and Bhutanese weavers and boasts of an invaluable collection of antique textile artefacts of Bhutan.

Then visit the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum strives to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum is a unique experience because the principal exhibit of the museum itself is a restored three-storied, traditional rammed mud and timber house dating back to the mid-19th century.

Afterwards, walk around National Memorial Chorten, a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the centre of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. This is the most ideal spot to interact with locals who throng in large numbers to circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at a small shrine inside the gate. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Picnic lunch by the riverside.

After lunch, cycle to Sangaygang viewpoint.
Distance from town: 7 km
Time: approx. 30 minutes
Elevation: 2685 metes
Road: Smooth and good, uphill.

On the way, visit:
The Takin Preserve: The takin, is the national animal of Bhutan and is found only in this region.

Sangaygang viewpoint (2685 meters): to have a view of the whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley.

Ride back to Changangkha Lhakhang downhill.
Changangkha Monastery: This monastery was built in the 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, overlooking the Thimphu valley. Many parents of Thimphu take their newborn babies to this monastery to be blessed by a high lama.

Conclude the day’s sightseeing with a visit to Trashichhoedzong, ‘fortress of the glorious religion’. This is the centre of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Before return to the hotel, take a leisurely walk to the Authentic Bhutanese Craft Bazaar. Located at the centre of the town below Norzin Lam, this handicrafts market of Thimphu consists of about a hundred shops crafted from eco-friendly bamboo and lined neatly in a row, selling colourful and beautiful authentic handicrafts of Bhutan. With an aim to preserve the Bhutanese culture and promote local traditions and handicrafts, the shops in the market possess a wide assortment of authentic souvenirs.

Evening a presentation on Gross National Happiness (GNH), the phrase as the guiding philosophy of Bhutan’s development process, is coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. It represents a commitment to build an economy that would serve Bhutan's culture based on Buddhist spiritual values and principles instead of material development gauged by gross domestic product (GDP).

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

Morning drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) and take in the view, admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen 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 7,570m.

At Dochula Pass, 108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty-five chortens, the second has thirty-six and the top layer has twenty-seven, built around the main chorten.

Prayer flags hoisting ceremony at Dochula pass. Prayer flags are an integral part of the Bhutanese landscape and also the cultural and religious heritage of the country especially the textile and weaving craft. They are ubiquitous in Bhutan, in and around monasteries, chortens or stupas, dzongs, lhakhangs, homes on the railing of bridges and mountain roads, and invariably on or near the summit of the mighty peaks that preside over the country. Red, blue, green, yellow and white, they add a splash of rainbow colours to the rugged landscape. Deeply religious, the people of Bhutan believe that with each flutter, a flag releases the prayer printed on it into the air which in turn carries it to the heavens. The more the flag flaps, the greater is its divine value.

Breakfast at Dochula cafeteria enjoying fascinating views all around.

Then drive onward to Punakha.
Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and seat of government until 1955 and still, it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (the chief abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and owing to its natural drainage from Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers, the fertile Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits.

Visit Punakha Dzong or (‘Palace of Great Happiness’), built at the junction of the Pho chhu and Mo chhu rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic Dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here.

Picnic lunch by the riverside in enchanting Punakha valley.

Then embark on a rafting expedition to Pho Chu river. Pho Chu, with its approx. 16 km course with about 15 rapids of class 2 – 4 is the most popular for rafting in Bhutan. During this meticulously organized river rafting trip, your journey through the most scenic and secluded miles featuring incredibly blue water, breath-taking alpine scenery, sighting the world’s rarest birds and amazing rapids on the backdrop of striking 17th century Punakha Dzong.

Evening tea & refreshment at the end of rafting expedition and later drive back to Thimphu.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

After leisurely breakfast at the hotel and a short stroll around the hotel area board the bus to Paro. The drive is ecstatically interesting, passing through paddy fields, orchards, stupas with a large section of the road running parallel to the river.

The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the National Museum and the country's only international airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paro river). Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields.

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel followed by an outdoor lunch in the hotel premises.

Then participate in an Archery & Khuru session.
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and an integral part of all occasions. During village tournaments, using bamboo bows (although modern compound bows are now common in cities) team of archers shoot at targets only 30 centimetres in diameter from a distance of 120 meters. Each team has a noisy crowd of supporters who, as well as encouraging their own side, try to put off the opposition. Archery competitions are among the most picturesque and colorful events in the country.

Khuru (dart game) is another popular outdoor team sport often played during festivals and archery tournaments. The heavy wooden darts pointed with a 10 centimetres nail, are thrown at a paperback-sized target 10 to 20 meters away.

After this fun-filled activity visit to Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts.

Ta Dzong visit is followed by a short walk down to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘Fortress of the Heap of Jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Evening at leisure in Paro city centre or to enjoy the hotel facilities.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

After breakfast, embark on a fascinating excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours round trip walk).  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Legends say that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Later in the afternoon Bhutanese dress-wearing session.

The National dress of Bhutan is one of the most distinctive and visible aspects of Dragon Kingdom’s unique character. Men wear Gho, a long robe similar to Tibetan Chhuba, that is raised till knee, folded backwards and then tied around the waist by Kera (belt). While women wear ankle-length robes called Kira. The traditional Bhutanese textile is made from fine, hand-woven or milled fabric, with colorful distinctive patterns.

A gala evening awaits you at the hotel premises with a bonfire and Bhutanese Theme dinner. The grand way to end your Bhutan sojourn, an experience you'll cherish for the rest of your life.

Overnight at hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.