CULTURAL TOUREnchanting Tour of Bhutan

Day 1: ARRIVE PARO & TRANSFER TO THIMPHU
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the Himalayas. As you fly along the Himalayan range, you'll enjoy breathtaking views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom of Bhutan. Upon arrival, the first gift Bhutan offers you is the cool, clean mountain air.

After completing immigration formalities, you will be welcomed by our representative. Then, you'll board the vehicle and drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence). En route, visit Tamchog Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the 13th-century saint Thangthong Gyalpo, the bridge builder. This temple is located across the river from Paro to Thimphu, and you'll need to cross an iron chain bridge to reach it—one of the few remaining that Thangthong Gyalpo built.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan, is the center of government, religion, and commerce. It's a unique city that blends modern development with ancient traditions. Thimphu is home to civil servants, expatriates, and the monk body, and it maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.

After lunch, visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your respects and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country, and then take a walk around the area. The site also provides an excellent view of the Thimphu valley from the west.

Later, visit the King's Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. This landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (the "Father of Modern Bhutan"), who wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the late King and as a monument to peace.

Day 2: THIMPHU
After breakfast, take a short drive to visit Changangkha Temple, a fortress-like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. Special prayer ceremonies are held here by monks for peace, prosperity, and good health, and guests are invited to light butter lamps at the monastery altar.

Next, visit the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan's national animal, the takin, which looks like a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the takin was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drukpa Kunley, and it can only be found in Bhutan and nearby areas.

After lunch, take a short city tour to visit the Textile Museum, which showcases the living national art of weaving. The museum introduces the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress, and textiles made by both women and men.

Continue to the Simply Bhutan Museum, a newly commissioned museum that depicts ancient Bhutanese architecture, which is being lost to modernization. The uniqueness of the structure lies in its use of materials salvaged from old demolished houses. The museum also portrays the age-old lifestyles of the Bhutanese people.

Drive further to visit Trashichhoedzong, the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion." This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch's throne room, and the seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Day 3: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3,080m). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags. On a clear day, Dochula Pass offers a spectacular view of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas.

Later, take an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang. From the hotel, it's about a 15-minute drive to the start of the walk, which takes you through paddy fields and villages. The total walk takes about 1½ hours round trip. Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, is also known as the Temple of Fertility. It is widely believed that couples who pray at this temple are blessed with a child soon after. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning "field." A walk through the village near the temple will give you a rare glimpse into the daily life of the villagers.

Later, visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Day 4: PUNAKHA
After breakfast, hike through fields of chilies, cabbages, and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu River to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999.

Later, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang, the magnificent structures of this temple house a 14-foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong), one of the largest in the country. The temple also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation center for nuns, providing life skills training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making, and thangka painting.

Day 5: PUNAKHA - PARO
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Paro along a scenic highway. En route, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the country, built in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist Studies.

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, now housing the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Next, take a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), meaning "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels," which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru, and other cosmic Mandalas.

In the afternoon, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. From the approach road to the Dzong, you can see the snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "Mountain of the Goddess," in all her glory. Later, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Day 6: PARO
After breakfast, take an excursion to Taktshang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest (approx. 5 hours walk). This is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley floor. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence the name "Tiger's Nest." This site is recognized as a sacred place and has been visited by many, including Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It was severely damaged by fire on 19 April 1998, but has since been restored to its original splendor.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional hot stone bath at a local farmhouse. The traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, known as Dotsho in the local language, has been practiced in Bhutan for centuries as a medicinal soak. Many Bhutanese believe that the bath helps cure joint pains, relaxes the body, and alleviates other medical problems. River stones are heated and placed in water to warm it, and sometimes medicinal herbs are added to the water before it is ready for soaking.

Day 7: DEPART PARO
After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight to your onward destination. Our representative will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.