Day
01 Arrive Paro - Flight
The mythical dream-like kingdom comes into view as the
aircraft swings in giant arcs and descends onto Bhutan's
only airstrip at Paro. This beautiful valley with its rich
terraced farmland, is home to some of the Bhutan's oldest
temples and monasteries.
On arrival you will be met by our local representative and
transferred to your hotel. Later this evening stroll around
the local Paro market. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 02 Paro - Sightseeing
This morning we will visit the perfectly symmetrical Rinpung
Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first
spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Also will be
visiting the Ta Dzong - situated on the hill side, is the
castle-shaped, one time watch tower built to defend Rinpung
Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th Century, now
holds the National Museum. Later in the day we will be taken
on an excusrion tour, about eighteen kilometres from Paro
town on south side of the valley to the burnt ruins of
Drugyel Dzong (victorious fortress). It was from this
monastery that the Bhutanese repelled several invading
Tibetan armies during the 17th Century. Overnight stay at
the Hotel.
Day 03 Paro/Thimphu - Drive
This morning we will depart Paro by surface for the capital
of the kingdom, Thimphu. Enroute visiting the 17th Century
Simtokha Dzong on a lofty ridge, built in 1627, the oldest
in the land, houses the school for Buddhist studies.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 04 Thimphu - Sightseeing
This morning we set out on a sightseeing tour of perhaps the
most unusual capital in the world is a bustling town on the
banks of its own river and gloriously in the hills of its
own valley - is the centre of government, religion and
commerce. Visit the Tashichho Dzong on the bank of the
river, the main secretarial building which houses the throne
room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
Next to the Dzong is Bhutan's only golf course, a nine hole
circuit that is far more picturesque than its testing. The
Thangka painting school, in the heart of Thimphu is worth
visiting, National Liberary, Traditional Medicine Institute
and the handicraft Emporium.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 05 Thimphu/Punakha - Drive
This morning we continue on our drive to Punakha, the road
winds up from Simtokha Dzong into the pine forest and
through small villages for 20 kilometres and then opens
miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountaints. The
view over the Himalayan panoply at Dorchula Pass at 10,500
feet is one of the most spectacular in all Bhutan. Punakha
served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. In the evening
stroll around the town.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 06 Punakha/Wangduephodrang/Punakha
- Excursion
This morning we will visit the Punakha Dzong, strategically
built at the junction of the two rivers in the 17th Century
by the first Shabdrung to serve as the religious and
administrative centre. It also houses sacred temples
including the Marchen where the embalmed body of Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal lies in state. The Dzong has been fully
restored by the present King.
Later in the day we continue on our excusion to
Wangduephodrang - is the last town on the central highway. A
visit to the Dzong, is the town's most visible feature,
played a critical role in unifying the western, central and
southern Bhutanese districts.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 07 Punakha/Paro - Drive
This morning we take our return drive to Paro. On arrival
balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 08 Depart Paro - Flight
Your will be picked up from your respective hotel in time to
connect your onward bound flight.
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