Bhutan 7 Days

Sightseeing in Thimphu includes – visit to the School of Thanka Painting, the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where centuries old healing arts are still practiced. During the evening, stroll through Thimphu town.

Drive through Dochula Pass where you get the most enchanting views in Bhutan. On a clear day, you can get a good view of the Himalayan ranges and also see the Gasa Dzong at a distance. The journey continues through varying scenes of greenery all the way to Punakha.

Later hike to fertility temple from the 1490s. It is 2/3 hours excursion in total.

Overnight at Punakha.

Visit a nunnery and spend about an hour there. Later visit Punakha Dzong, which is set on the junction of the two rivers Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river) it is one of the most spectacular Dzongs in the country. At present this Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Visit the Dzong if the monastic body has shifted to Thimphu for the summer.  Visit the town. Overnight at Punakha.

We proceed to Paro via Thimphu on the same road we took the first day. Check in at Dochula pass for views of the distant mountains. If the sky is clear, we will spend some time at Cafeteria, if not we drive straight to Thimphu.  Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, many civil servants, foreign embassy’s and consulates with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of international offices and development projects.

Visit Thimphu for last-minute shopping and then proceed to Paro. Sightseeing around the Paro valley includes a visit to Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum, the ruins of Drugyel Dzong and the Kichu Lhakhang one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan – dated 7th century AD.

Walk up to Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels”. This fortress was built in the middle of the 17^th century. Your guide will explain to you a fascinating story behind the history of Dzong. Like in all Dzong around the country, Rinpung Dzong also has two divisions. One-part houses the monk’s body, while another part has offices of local Dzongkhag or district administration. You will come across large monks’ prayer rooms, and many small temples dedicated to different Buddhist deities. You will have the chance to visit some of the temples, and marvel over wall paintings, and Thangkas.

Today after breakfast, drive to Drukgyel Dzong. On your way, you will observe Taktsang Money for today’s hike. Visit this ruin of Dzong initially constructed in the mid-17^th century.

Drive back to Ramthongkha and then hike to the viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest (one and a half hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The trail is broad and the walk uphill takes you a little more than a 1000ft above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang monastery built on the cliff is a spectacular sight. It is a great pilgrim site for the Buddhists and also it is one of the most sacred sites in the Himalayan world, a pilgrimage destination for devout Buddhists. The main deity of Taktsang is Dorje Drolo, the wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, the precious Teacher, also known as Padmasambhava.  The great tantric mystic is said to have flown here on the back of a tiger, a manifestation of his consort, Yeshi Tsogyal, when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8^th century. The image of Dorje Drolo inside the temple is shown standing on a tiger. There are 13 sacred sites at Taktsang, and several meditation caves in the cliffs above. Many saints have meditated here, not only Guru Rinpoche but also Milarepa and the female yogin Machig Labdronma. Here you can meditate awhile before beginning the descent. Nearby there is a teahouse, where you can stop for lunch or a snack.  Take the road down, and visit a farmhouse in the evening in Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

All departure formalities will be made available in advance, and assisted by your guide. Early breakfast at the hotel and drive to the Paro Airport to board the flight.