Hightlights: Bhutan is the last Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom, and the teachings of this school of Buddhism are a living faith among its people. Spirituality exists even in the urban centers where the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps in the houses are still important features of their everyday life.
DAY 01 : ARRIVAL BHUTAN -THIMPHU
DAY 02 : THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
DAY 03 : THIMPHU – PUNAKHA VALLEY
DAY 04 : PUNAKHA VALLEY SIGHTSEEING sightseeing.
DAY 05 : PUNAKHA – PARO
DAY 06 : TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY HIKE
DAY 07 : DEPARTURE FROM BHUTAN
Fly into Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Airline.The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather.
After reaching Paro drive to Thimphu and sightseeing will be as follows :
Overnight at a resort/Hotel in Thimphu
Thimphu Festival at Tashi Choedzong. The Thimphu Festival (Tsechu) is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes. Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan.
Tsechu is a Buddhist festival in honor of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670.
This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith.Today, you will be dressed Traditional Bhutanese dress and witness Thimphu Tshechu.
It will start with the Durdag chham, the dance of the lords of the cemetery is performed by 4 dancers wearing white skeletal costume and skull mask.
The Chham is illustrated by these 4 dancers marching into the courtyard with thunderbolt steps to summon all negative forces. Dancers bend backward touching the ground by the tip of their masks as an act of summoning the deities of the earth to witness their act of faith. This dance is performed as a reminder of impermanence.
There will be series of Dances such as mask Dance and the folk songs. So you will witness the dances and you will also get chance to interact with the locals who came to witness the festival.
If you wish to spend full day for festival then there are lots of activities and if not you can proceed with the sightseeing by discussing the guide.During the festival, it is best time for the photography.Overnight at a resort/Hotel in Thimphu
After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular and you can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon.
Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.Travel onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body.
Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river.
Evening, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing .
Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue/Punakha
Today after Breakfast we will drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. We will drive to upper Punakha via Punakha Dzong for a short Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Temple located at the upper Punakha Valley.
Optional: When coming back from the hike, if you wish you can do river rafting. It will take almostone and half hour or more.
If not visit the longest suspension bridge in Punakha and then after lunch drive to Wangdi valley and walk through Rinchengang village. In the evening, take leisure time and then rest in hotel.
After breakfast, we will drive to Paro. Visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism.
To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.
Paro Rinpung dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. Visit Taa dzong which was built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong.
Overnight at resort/Hotel in Paro
After breakfast, drive up to the base camp of Taktsang and then hike up to the most famous Monastery in the entire kingdom of Bhutan perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley.Overnight at a 3 star resort/Hotel in Paro.
In the morning, your tour guide from Yelha Bhutan Tours & Travels (local Bhutan travel agent) will escort you to Paro International Airport for your
departure.
• Deluxe rooms on twin sharing basis.
• Meals (Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner, Tea/Coffee with snacks as and when required)
• Accommodation in the best 3-4 star Resorts/hotels in Bhutan.
• Brand new Bus, SUVs’ (not exceeding 4-5 years)
• 1 complimentary Bhutan air ticket if group exceeds 17 Pax
• Tea, coffee and snacks during the long drive and tour.
• Complimentary 1 Hour cultural program and farewell dinner for 8 plus pax.
• All Trekking Equipments (2 men sleeping tents, Kitchen Tents, Dining tents, Toilet Tents, Cooking Utensils etc.
• Trekking Guide and trekking cook along with supporting staffs
• Medical Facilities on free of cost (consulting doctors & medicine)
• Mineral water on long trips both on trek and cultural tours
• Museum fees and other special entry fees.
• A sustainable tourism Royalty of $65. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.
• Airfare
• Laundry/Drinks / Telephone calls and any personal expenses.
• Travel Insurance (Recommended but not available in Bhutan)
• Excess baggage charges.
• Single room supplement USD$40 per night.
• Tips and Gratuities