Day 1: Arrival in Bhutan and Sightseeing in Paro (2,250m / 7,382ft) : 1 Hr Flight
You will be welcomed by an amazing view of The Himalayas as you approach Bhutan. At the airport, you will be welcomed by a representative of Serene Himalaya. Once you have settled in our hotel, you will embark on your journey to Paro. In Paro, you will visit places such as the Dungste Lhakang, a 15th-century temple with the Ugyen Perli Palace visible through its fence, the Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery, the national museum, and Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest Bhutanese temple. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu (2,320m/7,610ft): 54 km, 1 hour drive: Hike to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast, you will take a scenic hike for about 4-5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), the most sacred monastery in Bhutan, built on steep cliff, offering you enchanting views of the Paro valley. You will then hike back down the valley and drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Hike to Wangditse Gompa followed by sightseeing in Thimphu
We drive up to BBS Television Broadcasting Tower in the morning, and then hike up for an hour to the Wangditse Monastery, with great views of Tashichho Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress, the Samtenling Palace, and the Dorje Drak meditation retreat.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha (1,250m/4,100ft): 76 km, 2 – 3 hours drive: Hike to Lungchutse Monastery
After breakfast, we drive to Dochula pass (3,100 metres), a mountain pass on the road from Thimpu to Punakha where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. To the east of the pass, the snow clad mountain peaks of the Himalayas are seen prominently and among them is the Mt. Masanggang at 7,158 metres (23,484 ft), which is the highest peak in Bhutan.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro: 130 km, 4 hours drive: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
At dawn, we drive 12 km north of Punakha to the base of the hill, at which the majestic Khamsum Yulley Namgyal is built. From the car park, you have to cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before you start climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. The temple was built over a period of 9 years, with Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulting only holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals to construct it. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and is the only one of its kind in the world. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Punakha Valley from the temple. On the way back, we visit the Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1637. In the afternoon, we drive back to Paro and spend the night there.
Day 6: Final Departure
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will drive you to Paro International Airport from where you can catch your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
