Relaxing Bhutan Tour

After breakfast complete the immigration formalities and transfer to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. The journey will pass through some of the most beautiful broad leaves forest to temperate alpine zone, villages, towns, water fall, hills and mountains until we reach Thimphu, creating the history for you. Roadside Stops: Leg stretch break for having tea/coffee, using restroom and taking photographs at scenic places like waterfalls, landscapes, and villages.  Thimphu offers mixed style of personalities taking the street walk in Thimphu- only city in the world without traffic lights On arrival check in at the hotel. In the evening, visit the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). Overnight stay at Thimphu.

About Thimphu :

Thimphu is a bustling town on the bank of Thimphu Chu & set gloriously in the hills of the Thimphu valley. The capital has an interesting combination of tradition and modernity, and includes some of the most advanced and remotest parts of the kingdom. It is the home of the Bhutanese Royal family, Civil servants & Expatriates. We will take you through temples,

Today Visit -

Memorial Chorten: Memorial Chorten is a large white structure with a golden spire crowning it, and is one of the most visible landmarks of Thimphu. It was built in 1974 to honor the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972). Inside, the chorten depicts larger than life size images of wrathful deities with their female consorts in large numbers, and many in explicit Yab-Yum sexual poses.  The ground floor of the chorten is consecrated to the teachings of Vajrakilaya. From the ground floor, a staircase leads to two more floors and each floor has four shrines. A centrally placed large wooden carving covers all three levels. The second floor is dedicated to teachings of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school to subdue eight varieties of evil spirits and the top floor is dedicated to the teachings of Lama Gongdu.

Buddha Dordenma

Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue located on Kuensel Phodrang ridge overlooking the city. It houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold. Construction began in 2006 and was complted in 2015.It is one of the the largest Buddha statues in the world at 52m tall.

Changangkha Monastery: Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley. It was built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, the man who spread the sect drukpa kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.

 National Zoo: It Contains national animal Takin. The Takin is a goat-antelope found in the Eastern Himalayas. Bhutan selected the Takin as the national animal based on both its uniqueness and its strong association with the country's religious history and mythology.

 National Library: The National Library was established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts

 BBS Tower: It is located North-West of the Thimphu Valley. The Places has the top hill which gives a clear view of the entire Thimphu valley in a nutshell and the feeling from there is just fantastic.

 Folk Heritage Museum: The house replicates a traditional farmhouse and is furnished as it would have been about a century ago. A guided tour of this almost-living museum is included in the admission and provides a glimpse into traditional Bhutanese life. The house design and many of the implements are also reminders of how many rural Bhutanese still live today. Bring a torch (flashlight) as some of the rooms are quite dimly lit.

School of Arts And Crafts: The School of Arts and Crafts, commonly known as painting school, offers an eight year course which provides instruction in many of Bhutan's traditional arts to boys throughout the country.

 Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory: It is a 1 km drive from main city of Thimphu to the factory. The factory manufactures the traditional Bhutanese paper using the bark of two tree species in the manufacture of traditional paper the Daphne tree and Dhekap. The entire process of traditional manufacturing of the handmade paper can be observed. It was previously operated by the government. Now it is run by a private entrepreneur.

Overnight Stay Thimphu .

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It’s the winter seat of the Je Khempo (Chief Abbot) & the monk body. It has a temperate climate & its rich fertile valley is fed by the Pho Chu & Mo Chu rivers.

 Start the most scenic drive to Punakha from Thimphu over dochula pass which takes about two hours. After the break at Dochula, the road descends into Wangdue and Punakha taking us to one of the warmest places of Bhutan.

Dochula pass: The most known pass in Bhutan, about 30 km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way to Punakha/Wangduephodrang. It is at around 3150 mtrs. height. On a clear day, spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges can be seen. You will admires the sterling view of snow-capped Himalayas and the hundreds of "broadcasting" prayer flags. During winter road to Dochula pass is covered with mild snow. Prime attraction to visit Dochula pass is 108 chortens / stupas. The sharp peak that stands at the Dochula pass is dominating the region.

Punakha Dzong: Built in 1637 by ZhabdrungNgawang Namgyal, the Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo religious head of Bhutan. King Jigme DorjiWangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. This is one of the finest and must see Dzongs of Bhutan. The Dzong stands inbetween meeting point of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu making the most photogenic Dzongs of Bhutan.

Visit Punakha Suspension Bridge: Punakha suspension bridge is considered one of the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages Shengana, Samdingkha and Wangkha on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. In these small villages, locals sell their wares in tiny, traditional shops. Visitors can stop here for a quick and authentic view of true Bhutan.  In order to access the suspension bridge from the dzong, one must walk past the King’s palace and the cremation ground. Overnight in Punakha, altitude 1350m

As we proceed to Paro, we will retrace the journey crossing over Dochula, up until Chuzom and further to Paro. The entire stretch of drive will refresh your mind and give you second chance to enjoy the great snowcapped mountain views of the Himalayas from Dochula.

Chimi Lhakhang, Temple of fertility: This temple is known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that childless couples can visit this temple to pray for better fertility to conceive the child. There are stories and incidences that many visitors dream came true however one must truly need to believe and follow the lama’s instruction. The hike though the lovely villages of Mesina gives truly amazing experience. Enjoy the gentle walks from the road head.

Paro Airport View Point: It is located on the Hill overlooking the airport, this viewpoint offers the best view of the whole airport.

Ta Dzong unique (National Museum): Perched above Paro Dzong it was watchtower built in 1649 to protect the undefended Paro Dzong located below, renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. Today this museum houses the best collections of all time historical items making worth for a visit.

Visit 17th century Paro Dzong:  'Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’, is ranked one of the best Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley, particularly when landing at Paro Airport.  The Dzong also offers administrative seat of the district of Paro. The Dzong was built in 1644 under the order of ZhabdrungNgawang Namgyal.

Explore the tiny town: Tiny Paro town actually can offer lot more, there are many authentic handicraft shops, readily available Bhutan made products, grocery and imported garment shops beside having many small restaurants around. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m

The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries & temples. The countries only airport situated is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7300 meters.) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier, water forms the Pa Chu which is flowing through the valley.

This picturesque region in the kingdom is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Paro has more of historical sites, high-end tourist resort and many souvenir shops for shopping including world famous Takstang.

Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest Temple): is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious Buddhist site in the world. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. The temple is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan which clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley. Although good trekkers can make it to the top in two hours, most of the guests take whole day to complete the hike. Alternative sightseeing includes

Kyichu Lhakhang: yichu Lhakhang is believed to be one of the 108 temples constructed in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. These temples were built to subdue a supine Ogress that hindered the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. Kyichu is among the 12 main temples of the 108 and houses the original 7th-century Jowo Jamba Statue, along with eight standing bodhisattvas and statues of Zhabdrung, Guru Rinpoche, and Chenrizig with 11 heads and 1000 arms. Adjacent to Jowo Lhakhang is Guru Lhakhang, constructed by Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Wangchuk in 1971, featuring a principal 5-meter statue of Guru Rinpoche.

If skip the Tiger nest we suggest the alternative place to visit  - – Full Day excursion trip to Haa Valley

Chele-La-Pass, at an elevation of 13,088 ft., is considered to be one of the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive from Zhiwa Ling it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.The valley is also unparalleled in Bhutan in terms of the diversity of the folk culture, legends and shamanistic rituals. The shamanistic traditions is vividly practiced in almost all the communities, most notable of which is the annual ceremony to honour Ap Chundu, the guardian deity of the valley. The valley is also a paradise for nature lovers and travelling there is a very rewarding experience

(Distance: 200 kms. / Driving Time: 6 hrs.)

After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to Phuentsholing. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing. After Breakfast drive back to Phientsholing Boarder, evening explore the phuentsholing market

(Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 4-5 hrs)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and take the departure transfer to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport for your onward journey.