Journey to Drukyul

^{7 Days / 6 Nights}

Itinerary (Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Thimphu - Paro)

Private tour (JY7) : Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)


Day 1 : PARO - ARRIVAL (-/L/D)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan. The green wall of hills known as the doors, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continually higher as down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the sky. You will be received by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Visit Drukgyel Dzong with its delightful village nestling at its foot, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951.

Day 2 : PARO DAY EXCURSION (B/L/D)
The day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lies the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, a tradiontional cantilever bridge, and guests are then driven to the town temple, built in 1525, to view ancient wall paintings. Paro options include picturesque picnic spots or, perhaps, a visit to a traditional farmhouse to lunch with the family. In the afternoon, hike upto view one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktsang goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The three-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900 m above the Paro valley. Guru Rimpoche flew on the back of a tigress and meditated there in the 8th century. It is from here where Guru began the propogation of the Vajrayana (Tantric) – Mahayana Buddhism. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of the main building and other religious contents. You can view the monastery from below.

Day 5 : PUNAKHA – THIMPHU (B/L/D)
The day in Punakha valley begins with a drive through the town of Khuruthang and continues along the banks of the Mo Chu river, passing the Phuntsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the Royal Family. At the upper end of the valley, a hike across a footbridge through terraces of rice, chillies and cabbage, takes guests to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chhorten built by Her Majesty for peace and stability in the world. Drive back to Thimphu. Check into hotel. Free time to relax.

Day 6 : THIMPHU - PARO (B/L/D)
More sightseeing in Thimphu. Drive back to Paro. Check into hotel. Afternoon Visit Kyichu temple one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demoness. Visit the Dungte Lhakhang.

Day 7 : PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
In the morning your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight onwards.


*B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner