The most spectacular mountain flights you will ever experience in a lifetime. Flying in from the heat of the plains of India one can witness from the left side of the aircraft window a series of the world’s highest peaks. Your pilot will announce the names of the peaks if the weather is clear. You will descend into the high mountains and as the plane lowers you will not find any airstrip or any city but instead you will enjoy the view of the approaching valley of Paro, the alpine forests, little monasteries, temples, and farmhouses. Before the plane touches the runaway you will get a glimpse of the fertile valley of Paro, the Paro Dzong (Fortress) and Paro Chu (river). Our representative from HW Tours will be at the airport to assist and meet you. And transfer to Thimphu. visit Tashichoe Dzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion) if time permits. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu sightseeing includes the following:

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the following places. And lunch will be served.

Visit King’s Memorial Chorten (Stupa): This Stupa was built in the memory of our Third King of Bhutan.

Buddha Point: There is a statue of Buddha which is 169 feet

National Library: There are lots of Bhutanese scripts and also we have the biggest book in the world.

Handmade Paper Factory: The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City.  The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and the Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books.

Takin Preservation Centre: contains national animal Takin

Evening at leisure or take a walk to the main city from Clock tower square for shopping. It provides an excellent opportunity to mingle with local people. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu

Morning drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula pass 3,100 m and on the stop at Hongtsho village. Stop at the immigration checkpoint to stamp in your permit. Next to the checkpoint, you will find small local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale in plastic bags you could try some. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. You will find the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colourful prayer flags greet you. You could take three rounds and offer prayers, take some best photo shots. On the way visit Lampari Botanical park. There is a lake and talk a walk in that park.

If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, Gangar Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world. If you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species of birds, you can take some photos shot close to the natural lake. Proceed down towards Punakha through Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn left and enter Punakha valley.

On the way have lunch at Lobesa and take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple).  This monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley” Divine Madman” known for his outrageous behavior. It was built in 1499 by Ngawang Chogyal the, 14^th Drukpa Hierarch. Many childless women visit this Lhakhang (Temple) and seek blessings for a child.

The existing footpath to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple) passes through beautiful terraces of paddy field after crossing the paddy field. You will come across a Lobesa Village with lots of traditional houses. Lobesa Village is situated in the valley, surrounded by paddy fields on the way to important Buddhist Shrine “Chimi Lhakhang” in Punakha.

You can very well interact with local people and here also, you can visit some village houses to understand their lifestyle and proceed towards Chimi Lhakhang (Temple). Drive to Punakha. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha

Morning we will visit beautiful nunnery built on the hilltop of Walakha, join the nuns for morning prayer and later on drive further north of Punakha to visit one of the beautiful Stupa or Temple built on ridge near the Punakha river known as Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten which will take around 30 minutes to reach from the town. It was built in honor for then Crown Prince Jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuk which was built in the 1990s and took a period of nearly 10 years. From the parking, it will take another 45 minutes uphill hike to reach crossing through the rice suspension bridge and rice field and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes.

The next visit is Punakha Dzong, Built tactically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has now been fully restored. Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.

Overnight at a hotel in Punakha

Morning transfer to Phobjikha (Altitude 3,000m); an important site for visit at Phobjikha is Gangtey Gonpa (Temple), the seat of Ngyingmapa Buddhism, one of the religious sects in Bhutan. It was built by Pema Thinley, the first Gangtey Trulku (reincarnation) grandson of Pema Lingpa in the year 1613.  After the visit of the Lhakhang (temple) stroll around the beautiful valley of Phobjikha. This place serves as the winter habitat for endangered black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet from November to February to escape harsh winter there. The road to Gangtey passes through dense forests of oak, rhododendron trees with beautiful scenery.

Overnight stay in Phobjikha/Gangtey

After breakfast drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. En-route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Hike to Tiger’s Nest

Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) falls in the top 20 places to visit in the world.  Paro is a valley of religion and myth. The most famous landmark, Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 1000 m above the valley.

It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery is considered a national treasure of Bhutan.

The hike to Taktsang would take us around 2 ½ hrs to reach a cafeteria, a point from where one can enjoy a great view of the monastery. Those interested can walk further 45 minutes uphill to get a closer view of the monastery. Walk down back to the road. The journey downward to the road would take us less 1 ½ hrs. Have lunch in the Hotel. After lunch takes a walk in Paro Bazar for shopping.

Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

After Breakfast drives back to Paro International Airport. Our team will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.