Day 1: Paro
Arrive
at Paro Airport and your tour guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Stroll around Paro town and visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong,
one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit Ta
Dzong (‘the watch tower’) now housing the National Museum. Night at
Paro
Day2:
Paro - Thimphu
Some
of the sights might close at the time of festival. However, we will suggest an
alternative plan for you. After breakfast visit to the National Memorial
Chorten, Gaind Buddha statue, Tazin zoo and Changangkha Temple. After the
lunch, visit to Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest in Bhutan,
dating from 629 AD) and National Textile Museum. Night at Thimphu
Day 3:
Thimphu Festival
After
breakfast you will visit Thimphu festival. Festival is showcase in courtyard of
Tashichho Dzong. The Dzong is office of His Majesty the king
of Bhutan and other secretaries of Bhutan. on the festival you can able
to see people dressed in finest colorful cloths. People come to watch mask
dance and get the blessing and also to pray. While the underlying purpose of
the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories
where good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events,
especially surrounding the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also
known as Guru Rinpoche). There is inevitably a great deal of
socialising as well. The occasion provides an opportunity for people to relax
and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and
jewellery, but it is also an occasion for prayer and blessings.
Day 4:
Thimphu-Punakha
In the
morning drive to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass
at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular
panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. In the afternoon visit the
imposing Punakha Dzong, and Chimi Lhakhang (Temple
of Fertility) which was built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama
Drukpa Kuenley).
Day 5:
Punakha - Gangtey
Drive
to Gangtey (at 3500 metres). Enjoy the views of the immense and remote
Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. Visit Gangtey Gompa (one
of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and currently under renovation). Overnight in
Gangtey village where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese
rural lifestyle.
Day 6:
Gangtey - Paro
Return
to Paro via Wangdi, originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and
commanding an important central position. We will stop for lunch or a drink
in Wangdi although sadly the Dzong, built by the Shabdrung in
1638 on an auspicious site where four ravens were seen flying in four different
directions, was badly damaged in a fire in June 2012 so there is not much to
view until renovations works are complete. After lunch continue on your way.
There may be time this afternoon to visit Drukgyel Dzong (‘fortress
of victory’), and the sacred Kyichu Lhakhang (temple).
Day 7:
Hike to Tiger Nest
Take a
day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to
the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is
said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated
here for three months. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where
you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
Day 8
Departure
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