Day 1: Phuntsholing-Thimphu (176km/7hrs)
The journey to Thimphu is truly amazing and incredible in pleasant day as you drive, the road
ascends to give you a bird’s eye view of Phuntsholing town sprawling besides the Torsa River.
Enroute visit Kharbandi Gompa, a beautiful monastery situated 5kms away from Phuntsholing
town. After a long drive from Phuntsholing you arrive at the confluence of the Wang Chu and the
Paro Chu. On the right of the road is a bridge that spans the Wang Chu with a road that bifurcates
in two directions, the right road going to Paro and the left one going to Haa and continue drives
for half an hour will gets you to Thimphu.
Overnight stay in hotel
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
Soon after breakfast, you enjoy a full day of sightseeing that includes visit to the National Library,
housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and National Institute of
Traditional Medicine where Bhutan’s famed traditional medicines are compounded and
dispensed; the Folk Heritage Museum which will provide an insight into traditional Bhutanese
farm house and rural past through exhibits and documentation of rural life.
After lunch, visit the Textile Museum to see a range of beautiful Bhutanese textiles; the National
Memorial Chorten (Stupa), a shrine built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan dedicated
for world peace and prosperity; Takin Reserve to see the rare national animal of Bhutan. This
animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the
country’s religious history and mythology followed by visit to Tashichhodzong, the “fortress of
the glorious religion" which is Bhutan’s administrative and religious Centre and houses the throne
room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and other Government offices.
Overnight stay in Hotel
Day 3: Thimphu-Paro (65km/ 1 ½ hrs)
Morning drives up to Dochula pass for fascinating spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan
mountain ranges. Walk around the 108 Druk Wangyel stupas built by Her Majesty, the Queen
Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Have a cup of Tea /coffee at Dochula cafeteria and return to Thimphu.
On arrival at Paro in the afternoon, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong or ‘the fortress of the
victorious Drukpas’ was built in 1649. In fine weather, the towering peak of Mount Jomolhari,
(7,314 m) appears as a backdrop. This mountain which marks the frontier with Tibet, is sacred,
as are all mountains in Bhutan, and it is the dwelling place of Goddess Jomo. Drukyel Dzong, with
a delightful village at its foot, is built on a rocky spur that blocked the Paro valley & protected it
from invasions from the north. In 1951 a butter lamp fell & fire razed the dzong to the ground
and left only the walls. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred monastery in
Bhutan built by the first Buddhist Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 4: Paro Sightseeing
Morning, a day hike to Taktsang Monastery also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched
precariously high on a cliff (over 3000 meters above the Paro Valley). Taktsang Monastery was
built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Legend believes that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location
from Khenpajong, Tibet, on back of a tigress. Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months in the
cave at Taktshang. He also subjugated the Eight Categories of Evil Spirits and converted the valley
to Buddhism.
Afternoon, drive to Paro Ta-Dzong (watch tower) a history stretching over 356 years. It was built
by Tenzin Drugdra, the first Penlop (Governor) of Paro to safe guard the Rinpung Dzong and Paro
valley. In 1968 this ancient watch tower was renovated and turned up into a National Museum
under the command of His Majesty, the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Today, the National
Museum has in its possession over 3000 artifacts covering more than 1500 years of Bhutanese
cultural heritage. Its rich holdings of creative traditions and disciplines are a blend of the past,
the present and the strong respective of future. The National Museum brings history to life.
Take a walk down to Rinpung Dzong (fortress on the heap of jewels) built in 1645 by Zhabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a
gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by
two guardhouses. Today, this fortress houses the Administrative seat of the Paro region and the
district Monk Body with about 130 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the fortress is one of the
most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork.
Overnight stay in Hotel
Day 5: Departure:
Morning drive to Paro Airport for your onward destination