Soulful Bhutan

Day 1

Arrival At Paro

(Distance: 170 Kms. / Driving Time: 5 Hrs. / Altitude Of Phuentsholing : 293 Mts.)

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King JigmeDorjiWangchuk and the DupthopLhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Bud

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

After Breakfast, Visit Largest Bhudha Statue Over Looking Thimphu Valley.Other Highlights Include A Visit To The Tashichhodzong, Seat Of The National Government And The Central Monastic Body, Including The Summer Residence Of The Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot Of Bhutan). We Drive To Simtokhadzong; The Oldest Dzong Of Bhutan Built By Shabdrung In 1627 And Finally Visit The Handicrafts Emporium Followed By Shopping For Souvenirs In The Shops Of Thimphu. Overnight In Hotel.  

Day 3

Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing

(Distance: 77 Kms. / Driving Time: 3 Hrs. / Altitude Of Punakha: 1310 Mts.)

After Breakfast Drive To Punakha / Wangdue, On The Way Stop At Dochu-La-Pass (3150 Mts.). To View The Higher Himalayas. Arrival At Punakha Check In At Hotel. After Noon Visit Punakhadzong - Built In 1637 By Zhabdrungngawangnamgyal. For Many Years Until The Time Of The Second King, It Served As The Seat Of The Government. The Dzong Was Named Drukpungthangdechenphodrang (Palace Of Great Happiness). Punakha Is Still The Winter Residence Of Je-Khenpo And King Jigmedorjiwangchuck Convened The First National Assembly Here In 1952. After That Take A Short And Easy Hike To Visit The Chhimilhakhang - The Temple, Also Known As “The Temple Of Fertility” Was Built By Lama Drukpakuenley, “The Devine Mad Man”. Evening Free For Leisure. Overnight Stay At Punakha / Wangdue.  

Day 4

Punakha To Paro

After Breakfast Drive To Paro, Drive To The Ruins Of The Drukgyaldzong 16 Km Up The Valley Built In 1647 By The Great Shabdrungngawangnamgyal, Father And Unifier Of Medieval Bhutan, The Dzong Was Destroyed By Accidental Fire And Left In Ruins As An Evocative Reminder Of The Great Victories It Was Built To Commemorate. Explore The Ramparts And On A Clear Day Experience An Unforgettable View Of Mt.Jhomolhari (7,314 M). On The Way Back, Visit Kichulhakhang, Built In 659 A.D By The Tibetan King Srongsengampo. Dinner And Over Night In Hotel.  

Day 5

Paro Sightseeing Paro, Excursion To Taktsang Monastery

A Very Special Day, With An Excursion To View The Spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery - After Breakfast A Short Drive Takes Us To Satsamchorten, From There A 2 Hour Horse Ride Till The Viewpoint Point Of The Monastery. The Trail Climbs Through Beautiful Pine Forest, Many Of The Trees Festooned With Spanish Moss, And An Occasional Grove Of Fluttering Prayer Flags. We Stop For A Rest And Light Refreshments At The Taktsangjakhang (Cafeteria) And Then Walk A Short Distance Until We See, Clearly And Seemingly Within Reach, Taktsang Monastery. The Primary Lhakhang Was Built Around Guru Rimpoche’s Meditation Cave In The 1684By The Penlop Of Parogyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, This Incredible Monastery Clings To The Edge Of A Sheer Rock Cliff That Plunges 900 Meters Into The Valley Below. Legend Has It That Guru Padmasambhava, The Tantric Mystic Who Brought Buddhism To Bhutan, Flew Here On The Back Of A Flying Tiger, Dorjidrolo, Said To Be His Favourite Consort.After Lunch, Visit Ta Dzong (Built In1656 And Renovated In 1968), An Ancient Watchtower, Which Now Houses The National Museum. Below The Museum Is The Parorimpungdzong (Literally Meaning “Heap Of Jewels”, Built In 1646 By Shabdrungngawangnamgyal, The Centre Of Civil And Religious Authority In This Valley. A Short Walk Takes You To The Base Of The Dzong And Across A Traditional Cantilevered, Covered Bridge. In The Evening Drive To Thimphu. Dinner And Over Night In Hotel.  

Day 6

After Breakfast Check Out From The Hotel And Take The Departure Transfer To  Airport For Your Onward Journey Back Home.