Land of the Thunder Dragon

Today, you will fly from the International Airport of Kathmandu to Paro, situated in a beautiful valley and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you at Paro airport and take you on a 1.5 hour drive of 45 km (28 mi) along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu (2300 m / 7546 ft), Bhutan’s capital. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Take a late afternoon walk around Thimphu and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens all in their national dress.

Today, we will visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. You could also visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hill top overlooking the town. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold.

In the morning, we drive for 3 hours (75 km / 47 mi) via the Dochu La Pass (3050 m / 10007 ft)to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. At Dochu La we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. In the afternoon we visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637. This fortress is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. Then we take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley).

Today we return to Paro via Wangdi, originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and commanding an important central position. We visit the Wangdi Dzong, built by the Shabdrung in 1638 on an auspicious site where four ravens were seen flying in four different directions. In the afternoon there will be time to visit some handicraft shops in Paro to purchase some souvenirs of your trip.

This morning you can start your culture tour of Paro valley by visiting the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit Ta Dzong (‘the watch tower’), now, housing the National Museum. Built on the top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps.

In the afternoon you can visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.

Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery (3100 m / 10171 ft) which clings to the rock face 900 m (2953 ft) above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighboring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. On the way back you can visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder.

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the Paro airport to see you off onto your flight to Kathmandu

Welcome upon arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.