Bhutan Dragon Kingdom Explorer – Thimphu, Punakha & Paro

7 Nights / 8 Days · 2N Thimphu, 2N Punakha / Wangdue, 3N Paro — from ₹55,200 per person (all taxes & GST included)

Hotel: Three Star Hotels (or similar)

Overview

Experience the Land of the Thunder Dragon in depth. From the capital Thimphu, with its giant Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong, cross the stupa-crowned Dochula Pass to the Punakha valley, home to the magnificent Punakha Dzong and the Temple of Fertility at Chimi Lhakhang., Choose a day in the glacial Phobjikha valley of Gangtey or among Punakha's chortens and suspension bridge, then spend three nights in Paro for the iconic hike to Tiger's Nest and a drive over Chele La, Bhutan's highest motorable pass, to the Haa Valley. A private vehicle and Bhutanese guide accompany you throughout.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Paro Airport – Thimphu

After immigration formalities at Paro Airport, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide and driven to Thimphu, the capital. En route, stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Wang Chhu and Pa Chhu rivers, marked by three stupas in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese styles. Check in; the evening is free.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, tour Thimphu: Kuensel Phodrang with the giant Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking the valley; the National Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the third King; the Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional house showcasing rural Bhutanese life; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the city's oldest temples; and the Motithang Takin Reserve, home to Bhutan's national animal. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, which houses government offices and the central monk body.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu – Dochula – Punakha / Wangdue

After breakfast, drive towards Punakha, stopping at Dochula Pass with its one hundred and eight Druk Wangyal stupas. Continue to Punakha / Wangdue and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, reached by a short hike, and the majestic Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. Check in; the evening is free.

Overnight: Punakha / Wangdue

Day 4: Gangtey (Phobjikha) Excursion or Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey, a beautiful glacial valley and winter home of the black-necked crane. Visit Gangtey Goemba, a monastery of the Nyingma school, and the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, then return to your hotel in the evening.

Alternatively, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for breathtaking views of the Punakha valley, then visit the Punakha Suspension Bridge and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Punakha / Wangdue

Day 5: Punakha / Wangdue – Paro

After breakfast, drive to Paro, stopping at the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi, Bhutan's first botanical park, and at Tamchog Lhakhang, built by Thangthong Gyalpo, the famous iron-bridge builder. In Paro, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower now the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress on a Heap of Jewels, and walk down to the traditional covered Nyamai Zam bridge. Check in; the evening is free.

Overnight: Paro

Day 6: Paro – Tiger's Nest Hike

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), clinging to a cliff in the upper Paro valley, where legend says Guru Rinpoche arrived on the back of a tigress to meditate. The round-trip hike takes around five to six hours and is steep, so it is not recommended for small children or elderly travellers. On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples.

Overnight: Paro

Day 7: Excursion to Chele La Pass & Haa Valley

After breakfast, drive up to Chele La, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, with views over both the Paro and Haa valleys. Continue to the Haa Valley to visit Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple), Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple) and Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong, then return to Paro for a free evening.

Overnight: Paro

Day 8: Departure from Paro Airport

After breakfast, transfer to Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!

Inclusions

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis in base category rooms
• Daily breakfast and dinner (MAPAI)
• Applicable hotel taxes
• Services of a Bhutanese guide for the Bhutan portion
• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
• Exclusive non-AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary (guide and vehicle available during day hours; no disposal vehicle)
• Paro Airport arrival and departure transfers

Exclusions

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• GST and TCS as applicable
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities such as rafting or archery
• Entrance fees for museums and monuments
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, bar bills, tips and bottled water
• Extra sightseeing, or vehicle and guide use beyond the itinerary or normal working hours
• Costs arising from landslides, road blocks, strikes or other unforeseen events
• Any increase in government taxes, fuel prices or fees before departure
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions

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