Bhutan: The Land of Happiness

DAY 1: NEW DELHI
Arrival in Delhi and reception in English at the airport with a silk handkerchief. Private transfer to the hotel and accommodation for 1 night, with half board.

Reception at the hotel with a welcome drink (non-alcoholic) and free time for independent activities.


DAY 2: NEW DELHI/PARO - THIMPHU
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board a flight to Paro (flight not included). Arrival and meeting with representative for transfer to Thimphu, with a stop in Chuzom. Accommodation for 2 nights, with half board.

In the evening, visit the King's Memorial Chorten, also known as Thimphu Chorten. This stupa was built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and currently serves as a memorial to the late king and as a monument to peace.

Then, visit the Handicraft Bazaar. Return to the hotel and have dinner.


DAY 3: THIMPHU
After breakfast at the hotel, visit Buddha Point, which houses the gigantic Dordenma Buddha statue, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Next, visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, a temple similar to a fortress and monastic school situated on a summit above Thimphu, with the highlight of the central statue of Chenrezig in a demonstration with 11 heads.

Continue to Takin Preserve - Motithang, a sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, which according to legend was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley, and for the National Library.

After lunch (without drinks), visit the Bhutan Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio that holds the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people, and the Trashichhoe Dzong, an impressive fortress/monastery that houses the Secretariat building, the throne room, and several government offices.

Return to the hotel and have dinner.


DAY 4: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Travel to Punakha via the Dochula Pass, with a brief stop to enjoy the view of Chorten and, weather permitting, take the opportunity to observe Gangkar, the highest peak in Bhutan.

Arrival in Punakha and accommodation for 2 nights, with half board. Lunch at a local restaurant (no drinks).

Visit the Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple), built in the 15th century by the 'Divine Madman' (Lama Drukpa Kuenley), and the Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness”, built in 1637 and strategically located at the confluence of the Po Chu and Mo Chu rivers.


DAY 5: PUNAKHA
Breakfast at the hotel. Walking tour through pepper and cabbage fields to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. This chorten was built with the purpose of removing negative forces and promoting peace, stability, and harmony in the constantly changing world.

Continue to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Convent, located on a mountain range among pine trees and overlooking the Punakha and Wangduegleams Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup valleys. It houses a 14-foot-tall main bronze statue.

In the afternoon, visit the village of Talo. The village's beautiful farms have their own flower gardens, and on the hills, sloping corn and sweet peas are grown in abundance.


DAY 6: PUNAKHA - PARO
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Travel to Paro via the Dochula Pass, stop en route to visit Simtokha Dzong, the Kingdom's first Dzong, built on a mountain range overlooking the Thimphu Valley in 1629. Although often overlooked, this small dzong is a delight for art lovers, with its richly decorated inner sanctuary, displaying colorful religious flags.

Arrival in Paro and accommodation for 3 nights, with half board.

After lunch (without drinks), visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, now houses the National Museum with an extensive collection of ancient thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich array of natural and historical artifacts.

Continue to Rinpung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong, which means “Jewel Hill Fortress”.

In the evening, stroll along Paro's main street and the local market.


DAY 7: PARO
After breakfast at the hotel, full-day tour to Taktshang Monastery, also known as “Tiger's Nest”. This monastery is located on the edge of a cliff 900 meters above the bottom of the Paro Valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated on this monastery and thus passed away as the “Tiger's Nest”.

In the late afternoon, drive to the Valley and continue to the base of Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th century fortress burned down in the early 1950s. Visit a typical farmhouse, getting to know up close the vibrant and traditionally built Bhutanese farms, built without the use of a single nail.

Return to Paro with a stop at Kyichu Lhakhang, an ancient Buddhist temple built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gampo.


DAY 8: PARO - CHELE LA PASS - HAA VALLEY - PARO
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Chele La Pass for a full-day tour of the region.

Possibility to hike for 2 to 3 hours to Kila Goemba, set amidst breathtaking landscapes and considered the oldest convent in Bhutan. Alternatively, you can skip the hike and head to the Haa Valley for a full-day tour.

Upon arrival in the Haa Valley, picnic-style lunch. Next, visit the famous Lhakhang Karpo Monastery (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple).

In the late afternoon, return to Paro for a farewell dinner at the hotel.


DAY 9: PARO
After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, transfer to Paro airport.



India Extension Package