BHUTAN THIMPU PARO TOUR

Places covered: Thimpu > Kuensel Phodgrang > King's Memorial Chorten > Changangkha Lhakhang >  Folk Heritage Museum > Textile Museum > Tashichho Dzong >  Punakha > Wangdue > Masagang > Tsendagang > Terigang > Jejegangphugang > Kangphugang > Zongphugang > Gangkar puensum > Chimi Lhakhang >  Mo Chhu River >  Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery > Wang Chhu river > Paro Chhu river valley > Simtokha Dzong >  Ta Dzong >  Rinpung Dzong >  Taktsang Monastery > Drukgyel Dzong

Duration 6 Nights/ 7 Days

Day 1 Paro airport - Thimpu
On arrival at Paro airport you will received our office executive who will transfer to Thimpu. It is the capital of Bhutan and the drive has a single stop at Chuzom, at the confluence of the two rivers of Thimphu and Paro. The city is an excellent combination modern and ancient buildings and is the only capital city in the world which doesn’t need a traffic light. After freshening up from that tiring day, you can just take a relaxing walk around the city’s market area and get a bit acquainted with the local life.
Night stay Thimpu

Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast you drive to the Buddha Point, which is also known as the Kuensel Phodrang, King’s Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang - a temple and a monastery, Folk Heritage Museum – The aim of this Museum is to connect the people with the Bhutanese Folk Heirtage and rural history. Textile Museum, Tashichho Dzong. During the evenings, you can spend some time by visiting the Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, which is run by the government. Here you can find some amazing examples of the traditional arts in Bhutan. There are some hand woven textiles here, like the wood carvings, thangka paintings, cermaics, masks et cetera that might catch your interest. Night stay Thimpu.

Day 3 Thimphu - Punakha & Wangdue
After breakfast, you drive to across Dochu La to the Punakha / Wangdue Phodrang. It lies on a height of 3000 to 10,000 ft offers the scenic view with chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate this highest point on the raod. If the sky is clear, you can also get the amazing view of the peaks from left to right are - Masagang, Tsendagang, Terigang, Jejegangphugang, Kangphugang, Zongphugang and finally the Gangkar puensum. During the afternoon, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, also known as the Palace of Great Happiness. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyan in the year 1637 and lies in the junction of the rivers called Mochu and Phochu. This placed had once served as the administrative as well as religious head of Bhutan. 
The last destination for day three is the Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility. Visit the nearby and get a rare glimpse into the daily life and the lifestyle of the villagers. Night stay Punakha.

Day 4 Punakha & Wangdue
After breakfast, you head out hiking to reach the Khamsung Yuelley Namge Chorten. It gives the tourists a magnificent view across the Mo Chhu River towards the Ghasa Peaks and also beyond them. After that visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. The Nunnery overlooks the valleys of Wangdue Phodrang and Punakha and gleams the statue of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang.

The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Gautama Buddha, Guru Padmasambawa, Tsela Namsum, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans, Talo Village. It is built on a plateau and also has a majestic view of the surrounding villages. After enjoying your time in the village, you’ll have to drive back to Punakha to spend the night. Night stay Punakha.

Day 5 Punakha & Wangdue - Paro
After breakfast  going down from the Dochu La, follow the way to the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys. You cross through the town of Paro and reach the north end of the valley. On the way, you’ll see the Simtokha Dzong, which is one of the ancient fortresses in the country and known for its profound tantric teaching. After returning from the short drive, check into hotel and later visit the Ta Dzong. It was originally a watch tower but now is a museum. It has the collection of antique thangka paintings, weapons & armour, textiles, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Later visit Rinpung Dzong. The name means the “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”. It has some historical significance. The place has some amazing paintings that illustrate Buddhist lore and attracts the tourists to it significantly. Night stay Paro.

Day 6 Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast and excursion to the Taktsang Monastery. It is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan and is located on a cliff above the Paro Valley. In the late afternoon, you can drive to the end of the valley where there is a base of Drukgyel Dzong. Also see the magnificent farmhouse there. It has a traditional built but is very decorative and colourful. During the drive to Paro, there is also an en-route stop in the temple named Kyichu Lhakhang. This was built in the 7th century and one of the 108 temples that is believed to have been built by Songtsen Gampo who was a Tibetan King. Evening free for shopping in the city centre. Night stay Paro.

Day 7 Paro (Departure)
After breakfast drop to Paro airport for your onward journey.