Your true Bhutan experience, in a real sense, commences not when you touch down at Paro International Airport but when you begin to approach Bhutan air space. Your tour representative will drive you to your hotel in Paro located approximately fifteen minutes away from the airport. Post getting settled comfortably, you will begin with exploring the watch tower of Paro Dzong – home to the Bhutan National Museum, where you will enjoy a rare collection of Bhutanese art, crafts, paintings and sculptures from a by-gone era carefully preserved for posterity.
Drukgyel Dzong is your next stop for the day. This dilapidated fortress is located about 16 km from Paro. The dzong resembles a quaint pictorial village nestled below its ramparts. On a clear day, you can take in a splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.
On your return, you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred religious shrine – the place where Buddhism first set foot in the country. You will return to your hotel in the evening well in time for a quick session of R&R plus a little dose of leisure.
Your first stop for the next day would be the National Memorial Chorten. The Memorial was built in a unique Tibetan style and has scores of religious paintings and occult statues that represent both the pacifist and wrathful aspects of Buddhist spirituality.
Later, visit the Thimphu Mini Zoo, where you will be greeted by Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. We are absolutely sure that you have never seen this animal before because the Takin is both native and exclusive to this region.
Your Bhutan package featuring the most striking attractions of the region continues as you depart from your hotel for Punakha after breakfast. You will go through the Dochula Pass which is an incredible experience in itself. Situated high among the mountains, the pass is the primary conduit that connects the two points of Thimphu and Punakha.
Drive to Punakha to visit the Punakha Dzong- one of the largest Dzongs in Bhutan.
Enroute your drive to Wanduephodrang, make a halt at Wangdiphodrang Dzong located at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers.
You will now drive further to the north to Phobjikha. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains to spend the winter months in a relatively less harsh climate in this region.
While driving to Bumthang, visit the pristine ChendbjiChorten, patterned on the lines of the Swaminath temple in Nepal. Following which, explore one of the most secured Dzongs in the county – the Trongsa Dzong.
While in Bumthang, make a quick visit to a Bhutanese carpet factory, where they use yak and sheep wool and even pure silk to create carpets and ethnic Bhutanese Textiles. You will have your dinner downtown in Bumthang and retire for the night at your hotel.
Begin early with a short trek to the monastery passes through a dense pine forest. Stop at a traditional Bhutanese cafeteria for rest and refreshments royal Bhutanese style. You will then continue the hike till you arrive at the ruins of the ancient Taktsang monastery. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came to Bhutan from India flying on a tiger.
The hike up to Taktshang monastery along a smooth path takes approximately 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace on a bright, sunny day. You will have Lunch and refreshments at the cafeteria. Take in the amazing views of Bhutan’s majestic peaks and valleys as you enjoy your meal.
