Bhutan Highlights Tour

Day details

Paro Altitude: 2,200m Thimpu Altitude: 2,300m Distance: 54 km approx. Driving time: 1+ hour approx This 4-day Bhutan tour begins with your arrival at the Paro International Airport in Paro, which is Bhutan’s only international airport. Upon landing clear immigration with your pre-arranged visa, collect your luggage and clear customs, before meeting your English-speaking Bhutanese tour guide awaiting your arrival outside the arrival area. After a quick traditional welcome to the country, you will now be transferred to the country’s capital, Thimphu in a private vehicle. This drive from Paro to Thimpu takes approximately one hour. The road, running parallel to the Paro River (known as Paro Chhu), takes you through lush valleys, pine forest and traditional villages. Along the way, you will briefly stop to visit a 15th-century temple Tachog Lhakhang, located at the left bank of the Paro River. This temple was built by Thangton Gyalpo, who is also popular as the “Iron Bridge Builder” of the 15th century. Along with the 15th-century architecture, you will also get the opportunity to experience the suspension bridge. Continuing your journey along the river, you will shortly reach the Chhuzom Bridge, the confluence of Paro River (Paro Chhu) and Thimpu River (Wong Chhu). From the bridge, now following the Thimpu River and the beautiful surrounding views, you will continue your journey to Thimpu. After arriving in Thimpu, you will check into your hotel, take a quick rest, have lunch and set out to explore the valley.  This day’s tour mainly focuses on the cultural and natural aspects of the valley, thus is named the Thimpu introductory tour. You will start the tour by visiting Centenary Farmer’s Market, a two-storey vibrant market located along the Wang Chhu River, where both the inhabitants of the valley as well as the farmers from the neighboring areas gather to buy and sell fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, spices, meats etc. It’s a bright, spacious and clean market that provides perfect opportunity for social interaction and understanding regarding the cultural food tradition, dietary trends, what’s grown locally, values and priorities of the local community and the climate and terrain. Moreover, this tour allows you to observe local life up close and provides a great photography opportunity. Next you will visit the Changlimithang National Stadium, a multipurpose stadium that serves as the national stadium of Bhutan. But, for the country, this stadium is more than just a sports venue, as the present day stadium stands on the site where historical battles were fought. At present, it's a very popular hub for modern and traditional archery; therefore, you will visit this stadium to watch an Archery Match. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. From the market, this stadium is only a 10-minute walk. This visit allows you to see history, sport and community come alive in one place.  After sport, it’s time to get introduced to the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin - a large, hoofed mammal resembling a cross between a cow and a goat. About 15 to 20-minute drive will take you to Motithang Takin Preserve, which is a 3.4ha forested wildlife sanctuary that preserves Takin in its natural habitat. After reaching the Taking Preserve, enjoy a serene forest walk on a well-maintained trail that goes through the forest of pine and rhododendron. This walk allows you to spot Takin as well as other wildlife like sambar, barking deer, Himalayan serow, and red muntjac roaming with full confidence in the preserve. This preserve is also a very good place to spot birds like Monal and Tragopan. If time permits, you will now drive to Tashichho Dzong- Bhutan’s administrative and monastic center, located on the west bank of the Wang Chhu. The main purpose of this visit is to witness a ceremonial lowering of the national flag at the end of the day (around sunset). The ceremony is conducted with military precision and deep reverence by soldiers and monks. It’s a 30-minute ceremony in which the national flag of Bhutan is slowly lowered, carefully folded in a traditional and dignified manner and ceremoniously carried away to be reverently stored. There are around thirty temples, chapels and shrines within the Dzong that you will explore after the ceremony, as the dzong is open to visitors only after working hours. If time does not permit, you will visit this dzong the following day.  After exploring the dzong, you will now get back to the hotel in Thimpu for overnight stay. Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day details

Thimpu Altitude: 2,300m Dochula Pass Altitude: 3,050m Distance Thimpu to Dochula Pass: Approximately 30 kilometers (One way) Driving time Thimpu to Dochula Pass: Approximately 40-45 minutes Starting this day after early morning breakfast at the hotel in Thimpu, you will now drive to Dochula Pass (3,140m), located roughly 30 kilometers from Thimpu on the way to Punakha. About 40-45 minutes drive from Thimpu will bring you to the pass that features the iconic Druk Wangyal Chortens - a cluster of 108 white stupas, built by the Queen mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to honor the Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives during the military operation in 2003. On clear days, this place also treats your eyes to the panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas, including the Gangkar Puensum, world’s highest unclimbed peak. You will spend about half an hour enjoying a peaceful walk around the site, breathing in fresh mountain air, soaking in the serene atmosphere and visiting the nearby temple, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang.  Bidding farewell to the beautiful pass, you will now drive back to Thimpu and visit Simtokha Dzong, the first dzong built in Bhutan. This dzong was built in 1629 by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyal, who also unified Bhutan.  Your next destination in Thimpu is Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center. It is a private atelier that is dedicated to preserving and promoting Bhutan’s centuries-old rich textile heritage. At the Center you can meet and observe skilled artisans, mainly women, weaving vibrant textiles with intricate and timeless designs, using just backstrap looms and cotton and silk thread that are naturally dyed. This center also produces  ceremonial robes for the Bhutanese Royal family. After spending some time here, without further ado, you will now head onto your next destination.  From the weaving center, it's now time to visit the present most important landmarks in Bhutan, the Great Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park. Made of bronze and embellished with gold, this 169 feet tall statue is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Apart from its size, this landmark is popular as it fulfills the 8th century prophecy and is believed to spread an aura of peace and happiness in the world. Having spent some time exploring the area, you will now head onto another destination, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum.  Established by the Government of Bhutan in 1971, this institute is a vocational art school and living museum that preserves and promotes the country's 13 traditional arts and crafts, ranging from painting, sculpting, gold,silver, slate and bamboo crafting to embroidery, tailoring, weaving to blacksmithing, metal work, pottery, paper making, masonry and drum making. A 4-6 year intensive course is provided to the students with a motive to safeguard its rich cultural heritage. Here you will take a walking tour to watch students working on their crafts.  Now, if time permits, you will visit the Memorial Chorten- a white stupa with golden spire and intricate carving, built in the memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (the third King of Bhutan and the Father of Modern Bhutan) in 1974. This chorten, housing sacred images, statues, texts and mandalas, represents the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and serves as a place of daily spiritual practice for Bhutanese people. However, if you are interested in souvenir shopping, you can also choose to visit craft bazaar instead, where around 80 stalls exhibit and sell the work of artisan and craftsmen from across the country.  By now, you will have covered almost all the must-see and must-visit attractions of Thimpu. Therefore, you will now head back to the hotel for overnight stay.      Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day details

Thimpu Altitude: 2,300m Paro Altitude:2,200m Distance: 54 km approx. Driving time: 1+ hour approx Taktsang Monastery: 3,120m After a quick early morning breakfast at the hotel, you will drive back to Paro. It’s a scenic 1 hour drive. Once in Paro, you will be transferred to trailhead parking for Taktsang Monastery to begin your hike to the Tiger’s Nest (the Taktsang Monastery). This parking lot is located  a little further than Ramthangka Lhakhang.  Starting at the trailhead, you will first hike to the viewpoint, which takes about 1.5 hours, to reward yourself with a distant but very inspiring view of the monastery perched on the cliffside. You will stop here for sometime for refreshment , before continuing your journey. After a quick refreshment, you will hike for about one and a half hours to finally reach the Taktsang Monastery.   According to legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived at this sacred site in the 8th century, flying on the back of a tigress. He meditated in a cave here for three months, sanctifying the location. The main temple, which forms the heart of the present-day Taktsang Monastery complex, was built in 1692. Though a devastating fire in 1998 caused significant damage, the monastery has since been carefully restored to its former glory. After exploring the monastery, you will begin your gentle descent to the Viewpoint Cafeteria, where lunch will be served. From there, continue your return journey to the trailhead. After the hike, you will now drive to the Paro Rinpung Dzong, a majestic fortress built in the 17th century to defend the valley. Blending centuries old history with breathtaking architecture, this dzong in Paro makes it one of the most iconic landmarks in the valley. Housing monks and government offices, it also serves as both religious and administrative hub. This dzong also hosts the vibrant festival Paro Tsechu, that falls in the spring months during March or April, following the 10th day of the second month of the Bhutanese calendar.  After visting the dzong, you will now end the day by visiting a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse, where you can enjoy traditional Bhutanese tea, snacks and authentic Bhutanese dinner prepared by the host family. If you are interested, you can also try your hands at archery or enjoy a hot stone bath to relax your tired muscles. You will then get back to the hotel in Paro for overnight stay.    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day details

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport, as per your airport reporting time to help you catch your flight to onward destination. For hassle-free experience, your guide will accompany you to the airport.  Meals: Breakfast