Spectacular Bhutan Tour

In the clear weather, your journey to Paro, your flight will provides wonderful views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the scared Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan.

On the arrival at Paro international airport, and completion of immigration formalities and collection of your baggage, you will be met by Avoya Bhutan Adventures representative. There will be an interesting drive along the twist and turn highway for about 1.5 hours to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.

Overnight – Thimphu

Thimphu is new Capital city of Bhutan and this bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and the foreign mission with the representative in Bhutan. It is also the seat of the government and the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.

To start your day by gaining a merits, morning visit to the National Memorial Chorten (Stupa), built in the memory of late third king. Visit to the kuenselphodrang (Buddha point), where the tallest Buddha Statue with 51m (169ft). It’s built for the well being of all sentient beings and for the world peace and prosperity. Next, visit the mini Zoo, which houses the national animal- Takin. Drive to take a beautiful view of Tashichho Dzong, the seat of royal government of Bhutan, the Parliament house, Supreme Court and mini golf course. Visit to National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years. Visit the nearby Painting School, the institute for thirteen arts and crafts (Zorig Chusum). Visit to Bhutan Post Office, this is the place where you can have a set of stamps made with your picture on, a bit novel and quite inexpensive for 12 stamps, they are legal tender stamps and can be use to send your post cards to surprise your friends and family at home and around the world.

After lunch drive to Punakha, the road from Thimphu to Punakha goes northeast and one of the highlight of the journey is at Dochu La Pass, the highest point between Thimphu and Punakha at 3050m (10,000ft). On the clear day, you will be able to see a spectacular view of the Himalaya Mountains, all above 6960m height forming a natural boundary of China (Tibet). Some of these mountains have never been climbed even today. On the top of the pass are 108 chortens. Chortens are Buddhist reliquaries, memorials to the reaching of the Buddha. Commonly known as Druk Wangyal Chorten, were built as the honor for those who were killed by insurgents in December 2003. On the way, down the hill towards Punakha valley, you will also see lots of flora and fauna.

Overnight – Punakha

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the winter seat of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers, Punakha valley is the most fertile valley in the country. The Dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. It was damaged several times over the centuries by fire, floods and earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the royal government.

Later take a hike to Chimmi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility). The walk through the rice fields will take about one hour (round trip). The monastery is dedicated to Divine Madman, Lam Drukpa Kuenley is located. He came to Bhutan from Tibet in the 15th century to spread Buddhism. Also visit the local market. After lunch drive back to Paro. En-route makes a brief stop at the Royal Botanical Garden.

Overnight – Paro.

The beautiful Paro Valley provides a visitor with all essential elements of Bhutan, in general – massive fortress, ancient temples, monasteries, picturesque villages, scenic hikes, and drives. The climb up to the Takstang (Tiger’s Nest) will take around 5 hours (up & down). The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest and many trees festooned with Spanish moss. The monastery was built in the holy place of the great Indian Master Guru Rinpoche who has meditated here for three years, three months and three days in 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava has flown here in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming tigress.

Before driving to hotel, we will take a drive to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, 18 km up the valley. This dzong was built to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan armies who were repelled several invasions by the Bhutanese in 1644. The dzong name literally means ‘victorious Bhutan ‘. On way back down to the valley, en-route to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most scared shrines of the kingdom. Further drive to the Paro town an evening stroll along the main street, and perhaps visit a few handicrafts shops, or take refreshments at a local café or bar. Later on, Visit a traditional farm housefor an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle.

Night Halt: Paro

After early breakfast, drive to airport in time to catch onwards flight to Bangkok/ Singapore. It is end of your tour. Your escort from Avoya Bhutan Adventures will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom will disappears again behind its guardian mountains.