The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over foothills if flying 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 and baggage collection, you will be received by our representative with a ‘tashi khaddar’, a white sacred scarf offering to the guest which is an auspicious way to welcome.

Celebrate your life together in beautiful Bhutan! On your arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted and proceed on a scenic drive to Thimphu.

Thimphu is the capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce, is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of little above 1,00,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Later in the day (depending on time availability) take a walk around Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan.  The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

This is best place to observe the locals who visit here to turn giant prayer wheel and offer prayer wishing for the happy conjugal life ahead. 

Later in the day take an exploratory walk around local marketplace, a few minutes’ walk from hotels. Or take a walk to Local Craft Bazaar established under patronage of Department of Cottage & Small Industry and in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Tourism Council and the Department of Agriculture Marketing & Co-operatives. This market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts, contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts.

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

After leisurely breakfast transfer to Drubthob Goema (Zilukha Nunnery). Perched on a promontory, overlooking picturesque Trashichhoedzong and Golf course, it is the only nunnery in capital known as Zilukha Anim Dratsang, once belonged to the Drubthob (Realized one) Thang Thong Gyalpo often referred to as The King of the open field (In the early 15th century with his multiple talents he popularly became the Leonardo da Vinci of the Great Himalayas). You may interact here with some of the nuns who have devoted their life to spirituality and Buddhism.

Continue to 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.

Drive to the post office where you’ll have Bhutanese stamp made in your name – you can officially use these stamps.

Lunch is followed by a visit to Simply Bhutan - an exclusive project under the Bhutan Youth Development Fund. It is a living Museum and Studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people. The infrastructure portrays ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization.

Evening 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 the central monk body.

(OPTIONAL: Early in the morning before breakfast participate in Tshewang Ceremony / Butter Lamp lightening at monastery – puja aiming at peace, prosperity and happiness). 

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

After breakfast enjoy a dramatic drive over the high mountain pass of Dochu La (3,088m) to Gangtey (Phobjikha) passing through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress. On a clear day, the towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from this pass.

On arrival at Gangtey (Phobjikha), check into hotel.

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 valleys are tightly enclosed. A few kilometers beyond the Gangtey Monastery, on the valley floor lies the village of Phobjikha. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass 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.

Rest of the day explore around or practise Yoga/meditation at hotel premises.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey (Altitude 3,000m).

Early morning witness prayer ceremony at Gangtey Monastery. 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.

Return to hotel for breakfast.

Rest of the day explore this tiny village by foot enjoying crisp fresh mountain air.

Walk to Kilkhorthang located between the upper and lower valleys of Phobjikha and extends from Kilkorthang on the eastern side and crosses the main river to the other side of the valley. This pleasurable walk will give you a pleasant experience. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Monastery, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley.

Afternoon indulge in hotel’s wellness spa.

Evening walk to local family home. A leisurely walk through the village will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. Bhutanese farmhouses are very colorful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of nail. The majority of the population of Bhutan continues to live as it has for centuries – in small, isolated farms and hamlets, surrounded by terraced fields of rice, maize and buckwheat. You will also have an opportunity to try making Suja (traditionally prepared salted butter tea) while at farmer’s home. Buttered tea is usually made by boiling tea leaves, mixed with salted butter and churned using a traditionally made churner. 

Overnight at hotel in Gangtey (Altitude 3,000m).

Breakfast is followed by scenic drive to Punakha through forests of Rhododendron, Himalayan Magnolia, bamboo and oak.

After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Zhabdrung 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 got fully restored by Fourth King.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

Morning yoga & meditation session at hotel premises.

After leisurely breakfast, proceed for walking excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (from hotel it is about 15 minutes’ drive till motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 45-minutes’ walk, including both ways.

The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, 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. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

Later embark on an excursion to Talo village located just above Punakha valley.

The village of Talo (alt. 2,800m) which is scattered along the hill slopes, known for its cleanliness and hygiene among Punakha villages. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a plateau and has majestic view of surrounding villages. The beautiful farmhouses of the village have its own flower gardens and on the hill slope corns and sweet peas are grown in abundance. The women of Talo are particular known for their beauty.

Afternoon explore Richengang village. This is one of the oldest villages in Bhutan with traditional architecture and delightful local people, in a remote corner of sleepy Punakha valley where an ancient way of life has remained unchanged for generations and most of villagers still work at as stonemasons and original craftsmen of Dzongs (fort cum monastery) and lhakhangs (temples). Walk into a local farmer or stonemason house at Richengang village, peep into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

Or, Afternoon optional Rafting:

River Rafting in Phu Chu & Mo Chu Rivers, Grade II to IV class River:

Mo chu river originating in the mountainous hills of Northern Bhutan and Pho Chu River fed by Glaciers in upper Punakha glacial valley offer tremendous rafting opportunity.

The Pho Chu River, with its approx. 16 km course with about 15 rapids of class 2-4 and Mo Chu River with 10 Km course with 10 rapids of class 2 - 2+ are chosen for our white-water rafting packages in Bhutan. After the confluence of these two rivers near Punakha Dzong, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu which offers even more exciting river run acknowledged mostly for its culturally stimulating and exciting rapids. During this meticulously organized river rafting trip, you journey through the most scenic and secluded miles featuring incredibly blue water, breath-taking alpine scenery, sighting world’s rarest birds and amazing rapids on the backdrop of striking 17th century Punakha Dzong.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

After breakfast at hotel, drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, following the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu River valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.

En route stop at Tamchog Monastery. This temple is located along Paro -Thimphu highway and was built in the early 15th century by the great master architect and yogi Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464), who also built Dungtse Lhakang in Paro and many bridge through Bhutan and Tibet. Tamchog means 'Temple of the Hill of the Excellent Horse'. It is said that while Thangtong Gyalpo was meditating here, he had a vision of the spiritual horse Balaha-an emanation of Avlokiteshvara. He decided there upon to build a temple at this spot, in addition to one of his famous iron bridges later carried away by flood in 1969. A traditional style bridge with iron chains was restored in 2005. The temple is privately run by the descendent of Thangtong Gyalpo.

Prayer flag hoisting on suspension bridge near Tamchog Monastery:

Prayer flags are an integral part of 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. It is for this reason that prayer flags are positioned that catch the wind – high up on the forested slopes of mountains, across bridges, nearby rivers and streams that tumble down the valleys and anywhere where there is wind and tunnel effect.

Flag hoisting is followed by further short drive to Paro.

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, National Museum and country's only 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.

Afternoon proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Ta Dzong visit shortly followed by a short walk down the trail 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.

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

After leisurely breakfast at hotel, drive to Satsam Chorten, stopping en route at 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.

On arrival at trail-head point, embark on a walking excursion to Taktshang Monastery.  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said 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 now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Or

If you are not keen on 5 hours dauting walk, you can opt for softer excursion to Mini Tiger’s Nest (Dzongdrakha Goempa):

After breakfast, excursion to Dzongdrakha Goempa. Often called as mini Takstang, Dzongdrakha is a cliff-side temple complex on the western side of the Paro Valley. Four shrines make up the complex, dedicated to Drolma (Tara), Tsheringma (Goddess of Longevity), Guru Rinpoche and the Buddha of the Future, Maitreya. Local oral tradition states that when Guru Rinpoche first came to Bhutan, he travelled via Nepal, first landing at Drakarpo, and then Dzongdrakha before arriving at Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) farther north up the valley. Located approx. 20-minute drive from Paro, these temples are built on a cliff above Bondey village, but the walk is not as strenuous as Taktshang. From the road, it takes only about 30 minutes’ walk to reach here.

Evening at leisure in heart of Paro town, exploring neatly lined colourful shops offering wide assortment of local products.

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

After 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.