EXOTICDESTINATIONS ... for unforgettable holidays...
Journey to the Dragon Kingdom (Bhutan)
(5 Nights 6 Days)
Day 1: Paro - Thimphu Arrive Paro by KB flight and upon completing the formalities at the airport, your guide will receive you. Drive to Thimphu (an hour). Leaving Paro the road to Thimphu first follows the Pa-chu (river) till the confluence where the Thim-chu joins. From the confluence follow the Thim-chu up stream till Thimphu, one of the least visited capital town. Arrive Thimphu and check-in to hotel. Overnight: Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu After breakfast visit the School of fine arts, where young children study religious art, carving, sculpting, tailoring, embroidery, gold and silver works. Visit the National Library, where one can see the religious text as old as 13th century preserved in excellent condition. Visit the Textile Museum, the paper factory where a special kind of paper is made from the bark of the Daphne plant. After lunch visit the Zilukha nunnery, this temple is fairly new and is dedicated to a Tibetan saint who came to Bhutan in 15th century, to the Bhutanese he is popularly known Chag-zampa meaning Iron bridge builder as he was the first person to extract iron from earth and had constructed several suspension bridges all over Bhutan. Later, walk through the main street and explore the shops in Thimphu.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu - Punakha After breakfast drive to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs a series of zigzags over the Dochula Pass (3050 meters) with its (weather permitting) spectacular views of the snow capped Eastern Himalayas, Coffee/Tea break at the Pass. From there gradually descend through varied forest finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. . Lunch at the hotel. After lunch drive to visit the impressive Punakha Dzong situated at the confluence of the 2 rivers (Pho chu and the Mo Chu literally meaning Male and Female). The Dzong serves as the winter palace for the Cenral Monk body and the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Punakha was also the former Capital of Bhutan. Offering of butter lamps (candle) at the temple of Buddha inside the Dzong can be arranged too.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 4: Punakha - Paro Trace your way back to Thimphu over the Dochula Pass. Lunch at Thimphu and after lunch, further drive to Paro and upon arrival, visit the National Museum which is housed in an ancient watch tower. The Museum was established on the Royal Command of his late Majesty the 3rd King in 1968. Today, the museum has in its possession over 3000 works of exquisite art, covering more then 1500 years of the Bhutanese cultural heritage.
Overnight: Paro
Day 5: Paro In the morning, drive to the foot hills of Taktsang Monastery and from here hike up to the viewpoint of the sacred Taktsang monastery, which is approx. 700 meters above Paro valley. Your 1 hour walk through the oaken and the pine forest is rewarding with an unforgettable view of the 800 meters below and a chance to see the unusual temple clinging to the side of the cliff. This is a sacred place for the Bhutanese and every Bhutanese from far away place try to visit at least once in their lifetime. There is an option for either walking or a pony ride. Lunch will be served at the Taktsang Cafeteria. After coming back from Taktsang drive to visit the historical Drugyel Dzong, which was once a gateway to Tibet, from here one can (weather permitting) see one of the highest peaks in Bhutan, Mt. Jumolhari (7314m. Weather permitting).
A cultural program of folk dance can be arranged with prior notice from you.
Overnight: Paro
Day 6: Paro - Departure Morning, transfer to airport for your KB flight to Bangkok.