FIT Tour program 5 NIGHTS ,6 DAYS KTM
- DAY 1: Paro
- DAY 2: Thimphu
- DAY 3: Thimphu-Punakha (3 hours’ drive)
- DAY 4: Punakha -Paro (4 hours’ drive)
- DAY 5: Tiger nest Hike(5 hours hike)
- DAY 6: departure to airport for onwards destination to Kathmandu.
DAY 1: Paro
Departure from Kathmandu to Paro, arrival in Paro is at 8am. The experience of flying to Paro International Airport is in itself rare, and often both exhilarating and nerve racking one as well. During the flight, enjoy the scenic view of the Himalayas floating on a sea of thick, fluffy clouds, and mountains peaks, particularly that of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga stand tall above all things earthly.
Welcome to Bhutan! At the airport, our Tour guide will receive you in a traditional way offering Tashi Delek Khadar – the scarf of good wishes!
On the way to Thimphu, visit Tachogang Lhakhang (iron bridge monastery), Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge is made of wood and Iron, this is the first bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan. Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge greets its guests with a fantastic view of the surroundings.
Arrival in Thimphu, check in the hotel.
After lunch, rest in the hotel.
After office hours,
Visit Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) visiting hours after 5pm.
Tashichö Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1968. It presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the cabinet secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Some other government departments are housed in buildings to the south of the Dzong, and others in new buildings in Thimphu. West of the dzong is a small tower of Ney Khang Lhakhang which houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and protective deities.
DAY 2: Thimphu
Early morning after breakfast,
Visit the Memorial Chorten (Stupa)
The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa (Dzongkha chöten, cheten) in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Deboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third King Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells.In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan. It was consecrated by Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje.
The place offers ample opportunity to see and mingle with local folks. Basically, you will meet many devotees circumambulating the stupa. Majority of devotees comprises of older generation people. Spend some time here soaking up the beautiful sights and framing photographs of local people and impressive architectures.
Visit the Zorig Chusum, National Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the painting school for traditional arts and crafts, the school not only preserves the traditional Bhutanese Art but also passes it on to the next generation.
Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, it is within the walking distance of the National Library of Bhutan and the National Institute for zorig choesum (13 Traditional Arts). The Folk Heritage Museum dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life.
Lunch in Folk heritage, Bhutanese restaurant, where they serve authentic Bhutanese food and experience the traditional Bhutanese culture.
After lunch,
After lunch, visit local vegetable market for fresh produce of fruits and vegetables from all over Bhutan, which farmers come to sell in the capital.
visit the Changangkha Lhakang, the Monastery was founded in the 13th century, the monastery is mostly visited by people with new born babies born in Thimphu hospital for protection. The Lhakhang holds Avalokiteśvara statue (Chenrizig )the god of thousand face and arms ,who is very compassionate to all the beings .
Visit the Nado poizokhang, where they make incense sticks and sang powder incense which is used for purification to gods offering, it is made from herbs and medicinal plants.
Visit the national zoo of Bhutan, take a nice walk around the zoo, where you can see our National animal Takin.
Motithang Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for Bhutan takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Originally a mini-zoo, it was converted into a preserve when it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest even when set free. The reason for declaring takin as a national animal of Bhutan on 25 November 2005 (Budorcas taxicolor) is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley.
Visit the Local handicraft shops in town in the evening
Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 3: Thimphu-Punakha (3 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, visit the Phobjikha festival.
Dochula Pass – After 45 minutes of drive towards Punakha from Thimphu, you will reach the highest point Dochula Pass. Short tea break for 30 minutes, where we can see the outmost Himalayan ranges and 108 stupas.
Dochula Pass is located at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level, where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by our Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the eldest Queen Mother.
Visit Punakha Dzong -
The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss") built in 1637-1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the former capital of Bhutan. Located between the two rivers, Po Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) is the one of the most beautiful Dzongs of Bhutan.
After lunch, Visit Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery (known as Phallus Temple.). It is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha district in Bhutan It is located near Lobesa village. It stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Chogyal, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site.
There is a wooden phallus which is decorated with a silver handle and is used to bless people, who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a 10-inch (25 cm) wooden phallus.
DAY 4: Punakha -Paro (4 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, drive to Paro which is around 4 to 5 hours’ drive.
Check in the hotel and rest.
Drive to the majestic Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), which is perched on a gentle hill above the Nyimizampa traditional bridge. Take a stroll through the main entrance of the fortress, which is considered, as a finest example of Bhutanese architecture. The main attractions of the fortress are its massive wall paintings of four protective guardians, the wheel of life and others depicting the essence of Buddhism.
Visit the National Museum of Bhutan, the TA Dzong is a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, in the renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.
Evening, Visit Drukgyel Dzong, this fortress was built in 1647 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.
DAY 5: Tiger nest Hike(5 hours hike)
Taktsang Palphug Monastery more famous as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan. A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen Taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated.
When you hike down from Taktsang, stop in between for lunch in Cafeteria, where you can rest and have your lunch and carry on downhill to the base.
Visit Kichu Lhakhang (Temple):
The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the 108 border taming temples he built.
Evening, go to the farm house in the village and traditional hot stone bath, which is relaxing and is of great medicinal values, dinner in the farmhouse.
DAY 6: departure to airport for onwards destination to Kathmandu.
Morning visit to Jakar Dzong, which is the main fortress of Bumthang valley.
After that, visit Kurje Lhakhang (Buddhist temple), a large tree behind one of the temple buildings is believed to be a terma that was left there by Guru Padmasambhava the great Saint in buddhism.
After lunch, visit red panda beer factory and there will be other beverages such as Brandy for tasting
After beer factory visit, drive to Mebar Tsho (Sacred site, burning lake).
Overnight at hotel Wangdicholing in Bumthang.
The above cost is as below:
Air fare per person.
Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu :USD 425
SDF: USD 100, per day x 2 guest x 5 nights =1000$
Visa fee once 40$
Total 1080$ SDF and Visa fee
3 Star hotels:
1300$ for couple inclusive of hotels, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner),
licensed tour guide with private SUV car, bottled mineral water at all times, tea, coffee etc.
Not included:
Air fare, alcoholic beverages and entrance fees to certain monuments, fortress and monasteries is not included in above rate.