Bhutan Three Jewels Cultural Tour

A spectacular descent through mountainous valleys brings you into the Kingdom of Bhutan. The beautiful airport is your first glimpse of what's ahead. After clearing customs and visa control, you are met by your driver and guide. A short drive along the valley brings you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. This very picturesque drive passes rural homes, hillside monasteries, and chortens. The drive will take around one hour.

Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold.

Overnight in Thimpu.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view the higher Himalayas. On the way, stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century.

Lunch in Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 and situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here.

Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.

In the evening, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight at Hotel in Punakha.

After early breakfast drive back for 3 hours to Thimpu. Thimphu sightseeing includes: the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck; the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used households; and the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is preserved through exhibition and a good collection of old textiles rich in its color and design.

Lunch will be served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch visit the School of Arts and Crafts.

After an early breakfast, we drive to Paro for sightseeing and hike to Taktsang. Immediately after arriving in Paro, we drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions, and also visit a Bhutanese farm house of a local family at Drukgyal for a close-up view of everyday Bhutanese life.

We then drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tigers nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around 1.5hrs. At the view point, enjoy the stunning views of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhahang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Paro Airport for your flight to your onward destination.