Bhutan

(Distance: 70 Kms. / Driving Time: 3 Hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 Mts.)    

• After breakfast, visit the Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Dordenma). It is located at a short drive from Thimphu City Centre; Kuenselphodrang offers a good overview of the Thimphu valley. The largest statue of Buddha in the country sits here which houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues.
• Then visit the National Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan and visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon, transfer to Punakha / Wangdue Phodrang (4,298 ft.), on the way Stop at Dochu-La-Pass (10334 ft.) to view the higher Himalayas.
• The pass is approximately 25 kms away from Thimphu and is the highest point between the Thimphu and Punakha/Wangdue Valley. Another attraction is the 108 chorten/stupas (Druk Wangyel Chortens) built close to each other surrounded by numerous colourful prayer flags.
• On arrival at Punakha check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
• Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

(Excursion to Gangtey - Distance: 78 kms. One way / Driving Time: 3 hrs.)        

• After breakfast, start for full day excursion trip to Gangtey Valley (9,842 ft.).
• On the way you shall come across different flora and fauna, monuments, villages and people. Stop at places for sightseeing and photography.
• While in Gangtey visit the Gangtey Goemba the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan, which was established in the 17th century.
• Then explore the Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas and the winter roosting place for the endangered Black necked Cranes which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north.
• You may choose to hike around the Valley.
• After visiting the valley drive back to Punakha.
• Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.                                                         

(Distance: 125 Kms. / Driving Time: 5 Hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 Mts.)         

• After breakfast drive to Paro (7,483 ft.). On the way stop at Lamperi to visit Royal Botanical Park. This park is a treat for nature lovers as the 36 species of exotic rhododendron and approximately 220 types of charming birds will make your day unforgettable.
• On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc.
• Then visit the Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". The dzong now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro.
• Rest of the evening at leisure.
• Overnight stay at Paro.

(Altitude of Paro – 2280 Mts.)       

• After breakfast start full day sightseeing covering Ta Dzong - Originally built as a watchtower, it is now the National Museum of Bhutan with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities, Rinpung Dzong - consecrated in 1645 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on the site of smaller fort.
• During the 17th & 18th centuries it served as a bastion against invasion from the north. Currently, it is the administrative seat of Paro district, and also houses the state monastic community of about 200 members.
• Afternoon, visit the Drukgyel Dzong – Built in 1647 to commemorate the victory over an invasion from Tibet, the dzong was however destroyed by accidental fire in 1951. It was preserved in ruins as a heritage site.
• A full reconstruction of the Dzong was started in 2016. On a clear day experience a beautiful view of Mt. Jhomolhari (24035 ft.); from here. Then visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan built in 659 AD by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo.
• This is the second of the two temples built in a single day to hold down the giant demoness who was preventing the spread of Buddhism.
• In the evening, explore the Paro Town.
• Overnight stay at Paro.

• After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Paro Airport for your onward journey.