BEST OF BHUTAN

Day By Day Itinerary

DAY  01 : THIMPHU

Pick-up from Paro airport & transfer to Thimphu ( Alt. 2400m/7875ft) (Approx 65 kms – 1.15 hrs drive).. Check in at the hotel.  Afternoon you can relax in the hotel or you can visit the places at your own. Interesting weekend market (The Centenary Farmer’s market ) (Open only on Saturday & Sunday ) -Vegetable vendors from different pockets of the country come to sell their products. In the evening you can explore the city at your own by walk or visit Tashichho Dzong, presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance . You can explore only outer view of Tashichho Dzong or you can visit Monk Body’s block between 5:30-6:00 p.m ( In Summer) and between 5:00-5:30 p.m ( In Winter) ( Timing may change). Overnight at Thimphu.

DAY  02 : THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast proceed for Full day sightseeing of Thimphu which includes National Memorial Chorten- This stupa was built in 1974 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 Jungshi handmade paper factory (Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Govt. Holiday),  that uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho, The National Library and Archives of Bhutan (Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Govt. Holiday), a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts Institute for Zorig Chusum Commonly known as 13 Arts & Crafts School or Painting School ( Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Govt. Holiday )  Overnight in Thimphu.

After Lunch (at your own)  visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from here; Chang Gangkha Monastery, the oldest temple in the valley; Motithang Takin Preserve , preserve center of Takin - National Animal of Bhutan.  Anim Dratsang (Nunnery) ; also called Thakcho Kunzang Choden Nunnery nunnery is located in Zilukha and The Institute of Traditional Medicine (Closed on Saturday, Sunday & Govt. Holiday), is worthwhile where centuries old healing arts still practiced. Overnight at Thimphu.

DAY  03 :  THIMPHU - PUNAKHA / WANGDUE VIA DOCHULA PASS

After Breakfast and obtaining permit (Permit is not issued on Saturdays, Sundays & Govt holidays) drive to Punakha/Wangdue (70 kms / 2.30 hrs), with a stop en route at Dochu La Pass ( 3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the highest mountains of Bhutan.  After a photo break, drive to warm valley of Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong  built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. (Note: The Punakha Dzong is closed in winter months when the monk's body is in Punakha) Also visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery in Punakha. Overnight at Punakha / Wangdue.

DAY  04 : TRANSFER TO BUMTHANG (VIA TRONGSA)

Aafter Breakfast transfer to Trongsa (150 kms / 6 hrs)  crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass  en route visit Trongsa Dzong ,Chendbji Chorten.  Drive to Bumthang (70 kms / 2.30 hrs) . Reach at evening. Check in at the hotel.  Overnight at Bumthang.

DAY 05 : BUMTHNG SIGHTSEEING

After Breakfast sightseeing of Bumthang. Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley.

Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country. Overnight at Bumthang.

DAY 06 :  TRANSFER TO PUNAKHA. /WANGDUE

After breakfast drive to Punakha/Wangdue (220 km/8 hrs). Reach at Punakha/Wangdue by evening. Check in at the hotel. Overnight at Punakha/Wangdue.

DAY  07 :  PUNAKHA /WANGDUE TO PARO

After breakfast drive to Paro (Alt. 2200 m/7,300 ft) (127 Km / 4 Hrs ). On the way enjoy the view of Shaba River Point and Paro airport view. (Optional) You can visit Tshering Farm House to see the local Bhutanese life style with experiencing Bhutanese Tea break. Here you can enjoy the Traditional game session - Khuru (Approx duration 1 hr) or you can take the traditional hot stone bath ( Approx duration 1 hr). The traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, known as Dotsho in local language has been practiced in Bhutan for centuries as a medicinal soak. Many Bhutanese believe that the bath helps in curing joint pains, helps in relaxing and other medical problems. River stones are heated and then put in water to heat the water. Check in at the hotel.  Overnight in Paro.

DAY  08 :  EXCURSION TO CHELE LA (PASS )

After breakfast proceed for an excursion to Chele La (pass) ( Alt. 3988 meters /13084 ft), considered to be one of the highest motor able passes in Bhutan. After driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for 45 km ( Approx 1.30 hrs drive one way), reach Chele-la pass.  Where on a clear day from this point one can have a superb views of Mount- Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view. Return at Paro. Evening stroll at Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores.   Return to hotel. Overnight at Paro.

DAY  09:   PARO SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast  proceed for sightseeing of Paro which includes  Ta Dzong (National Museum) - the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings and then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (also known as Paro Dzong) which has a long and fascinating history. After Lunch ( at your own ) proceed for sightseeing  Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies.  Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Evening stroll at Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores.  Return at hotel. Overnight at Paro.

DAY  10 :  DEPARTURE

After breakfast drop to Paro airport. Come back home with sweet memories.

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