Day 01 By Air – Paro (by Druk Air) – Transfer to Thimphu
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide and transfer to Paro town for lunch.
After lunch drive to visit National Museum,Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. After visiting the museum drive depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1½ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 65,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Evening visit the Weekly Outdoor Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chillis and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colorful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter tea cups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet and musical instruments and the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Evening ends with a walk through Thimphu’s main shopping areas. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Thimphu valley sightseeing – hike to Tango Monastery
After breakfast drive to Sangaygang viewpoint to catch the view of Thimphu valley at the ground floor and also visit Motithang Mini Zoo. And walk to visit Zilukha Nunnery and then drive to Tango Monastery with picnic lunch. The hike to the monastery takes around 45 minutes one way, the monastery was founded during the 13th century and today it houses more than 150 monks who are doing their masters and degree in their Buddhist Philosophy and meditation. After the visit to the monastery then walk down to the mororable road and drive back to Thimphu to visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. Evening visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Thimphu – Paro (hike to Taktsang Monastery)
After breakfast drive to Paro for your hike to Paro Taktsang, to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. Lunch will be served at the viewpoint cafeteria and then after lunch walk back to the road point and then drive to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m) and on your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Paro – Depart (by Druk Air)
After breakfast drive to the airport and our ABC escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.