Cultural Tour of Bhutan

The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. When you fly from Kathmandu, it's possible to see Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga as well.

Upon arrival in Paro, you will be received and greeted by our guide. The tiny town of Paro, bursting with color and tradition, is overlooked by a dramatic dzong. Fields cover most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside - the houses here are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country.

Sightseeing in Paro include the Paro Rinpong Dzong (fort), National Museum (watchtower), Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest monastery), and Drugyal Dzong (victory dzong).

Afternoon transfer to Thimpu. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thimpu. This tour includes the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin.

From there, you will visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school).

After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom), and the Folk Heritage Museum.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, proceed to Wangduephodrang, with an en-route stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

After lunch, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.

On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, proceed for transfer to Paro. It takes 3 – 4 to get to Paro.

In the afternoon, you hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion.

Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel and proceed for transfer to Paro Airport to as per your flight schedule. Departure from Bhutan to your nest destination or your country.