Bhutan in a nutshell
4 days tour
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Day 1 – ARRIVE PARO, DRIVE TO THIMPHU (1hr)
If you are lucky, we’ll have glorious views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro (Try and get the left-hand seat for better view of the Himalayas). The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring beginning to your adventure.
Take a drive to Thimphu following Pa Chhu downstream. Drive on to the Buddha point to have an outlook of the city and for a stunning view of the valley. This is one of the largest Buddha statue in the world measuring about 51.5 m.later take a visit to Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose!
Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before visiting the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Brush shoulders with the everyday Bhutanese grocery shopping for local produce at the Market and also see the new authentic craft bazaar (Close on Tue) of 80 stalls showcasing works by artisans from rural areas will showcase.
Take a fascinating tour of the working facility of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300-year-old traditional house converted into a museum. (Both open Mon-Fri).
Overnight Thimphu.
Day 2 – Exploring Punakha Valley
After breakfast, we will drive about 2 hrs 30 mins to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3140 m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas.
From the pass, we begin descending through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Enjoy some tea and snacks at the end of the hike while overlooking the fields.
In the afternoon, we visit Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), the Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country. Later in the afternoon drive back to Thimphu(2 hrs 30 mins).
Overnight Thimphu.
Day 3 – Punakha/Wangdue Phodrang – Trongsa (129 km/ 5.5hr)
Today you head back to Paro, it’s about 1hr 30 mins drive from Thimphu to Tiger Nest car park where you begin your hike to the Taktsang monastery. This has to be the monastery with the most outstanding setting in Bhutan. Set on a vertical cliff face at 30,50 m above sea level, it defies all engineering logic. For the energetic, hike 2 hours up to get a more dramatic view of the monastery. (The hike demands a certain level of fitness and a pony ride to the monastery can be arranged at additional cost).
Later in the evening you can take a stroll in the small Paro town for last minute shopping or take rest and relax at the resort.
Overnight Paro.
Day 4 – Bumthang Landscape Tour
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight.
- Airfare to/from Bhutan
- travel insurance
- personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, shopping, etc…
- Any other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
Cultural tour