Splendors of Bhutan

Transfer to the airport and fly to Paro. 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 past rural homes, hillside monasteries and chortens only takes 1.5 hours.

Settle into your hotel and after lunch at a local restaurant, start sightseeing. Visit the Textile Museum, a traditional paper making factory and the post office to see Bhutan's beautiful stamps that depict the country’s myths and traditions. Alternatively, you can do less formal sightseeing and just walk around the town with your guide.

Dinner at restaurant. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honour the dead.

Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the national animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery, visit memorial Chorten, the national library and the folk heritage museum.

Lunch and afternoon drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, drive the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort that once defended the valley from Tibetan invasions. On a clear day, view Mount Jhomolhari, the sacred summit that reaches skyward beyond the Dzong.

Drive to Satsam Chorten to hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view 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 Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century.

Drive to visit Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1967. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. A short walk below the Dzong takes you across a traditional cantilevered to one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan).

The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning the Bhutanese agent will take you to the Paro airport.

Good-bye and happy journey back home!