> DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01 FLIGHT TO PARO
Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series,
the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful
view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after
visa formalities you will be received by Our members.
Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight Kichu
Resort.
DAY 02 SIGHTSEEING
IN PARO
Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel
dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic
location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley
from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early
17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320
meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed
through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally
known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum
in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of
Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th
century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong
which serves as the administrative center and school
for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional
bridge into Paro Town. Stroll around the market and
return to Kichu Resort.
DAY 03 DRIVE TO
THIMPHU
 Drive to Thimphu is 2 hours and will be a pleasant one
mainly due to the well maintained road through out Bhutan.
Upon arrival check into Hotel Druk or River view. PM
sightseeing - Visit the Memorial chorten built in the
memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century
Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the
rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and
drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley.
Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time
in the market.
DAY 04 SIGHTSEEING
IN THIMPHU
AM visit the Painting school, National library, Royal
goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM drive
3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass
3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern
Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan
Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass
is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer
valleys of lobesa. Visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong from
outside and the market area. Overnight at Wangdi Kichu
Resort.
DAY 05 DAY EXCRUSION TO THE GANGTEY GOMPA
 Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude
of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western
Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also
home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from
the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently
there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley
and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN)
is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the
Cranes.While the cranes reside in the winter valley
for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to
make load noises or fish in the river that runs through
the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and
return to the Resort.
DAY 06 DRIVE TO
PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING AND DRIVE TO PARO
AM drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha
Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This
remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and
has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year
during the month of February a procession known as the
Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory
over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch
and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest
building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves
as a Buddhist university. Overnight Kichu Resort.
DAY 07 A DAY HIKE
TO THE VIEW POINT OF TAKTSANG MONASTERY
 Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses
can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which
is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through
villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings
to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley
was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government
has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to
its original structure. It is believed that the great
saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying
tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons
were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism
and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During
the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the
spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage
site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life
time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure.
DAY 08 TRANSFER
TO AIRPORT TO DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport where the guide will help you with
the final departure formalities.
Contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com for more information |
