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The Last Shangri-La Tours (7 Nights, 8 Days)
Day 01 Arrival to Paro Airport:
Arrive Paro by Druk Air; the flight into the Bhutan is one of the most Spectacular experiences you will ever have. Flying in from the sweltering heat of the plains of India towards the north east, one can witness breathtaking views of a chain of the world’s highest and majestic peaks: Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Mt.Mahakalu, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mt.Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Arrival at Paro (alt.7500 ft) you will be met by a representative from JIGTSUEN Bhutan Tours & Travel and transferred to hotel in Paro. After an early lunch, you’ll visit the national museum (Ta-dzong). Once it was the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. Also visit the Paro dzong which is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is called Rinpung Dzong the (Fortress of the heap of jewels) stands on a hill above Paro Township. The central tower (utse) of the dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. Overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort, Paro.
Day 02 Paro Sightseeing
Early breakfast and drive till the feeder road end and begin walk or ride ponies to Taktsang -the famous tiger’s nest. (1/2 day program) Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff 800Mts above the Paro valley. It is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to Bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan. After lunch visit the national museum housed in the ancient watch tower built around 1651. From here you have a good panoramic view of the Paro valley. The museum is rated among one of the best natural museums in Asia. Evening drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan, (60km drive). Overnight at Hotel Galingkha, Thimphu.
Day 03 Thimphu City Tour
Thimphu at an altitude of 3200 mts. is the modern day capital of Bhutan. Sightseeing, visit the Memorial Chorten commissioned and built by the Queen Grand mother in memory of the late King. Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, visit the Traditional medicine centre where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced, the painting school, where young monks learn the art of painting Buddhist thangkas. After 5 PM, visit Tashicho Dzong, “fortress of the glorious dharma” it is the center of government, religion, seat of the Kings Throne room and of the Je Khenpo or Chief abbot. It was rebuilt in the early 1960s after a fire destroyed most of the building.Overnight in Hotel Galingkha, Thimphu.
Day 04 Drive Thimphu – Punakha (77 K.m, 2.5hrs)
The olden day Capital of Bhutan, via Dochula pass (3050 mts.). From here on a very clear day one can have a superb view of some of the highest peaks of Bhutan like Gangar Phunsum (7497 mts.), Jeje Khang (7158 mts), Zongaphu gang (7060 mts.), Table mountain, Masa khang (7194 mts.) and gcheyta (6794 mts.). The descent from the pass is through temperate forest colored with rhododendrons and magnolias down to the semi tropical zone of Orange, banana and cactuses. The valley is situated in a rain shadow area and is lower than most midland valleys. Visit the Punakha Dzong and bazzar. Evening drive on to Wangdue, before crossing the bridge to Wangdue, the Wangdiphodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge greets you. Overnight in Kichu Resort, Chuzomsa, Wangdiphodrang.
Day 05 Wangdue – Gangtay (50 kms 1.5hr)
After leisure breakfast proceed towards the valley of Gangtay. Gangtay is one of the most beautiful spot in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without trees is extremely rare experience. Visit the GangtayManastery perched atop a hill surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 gomchens who take care of the monastery. Gangtay monastery is the one and only biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan headed by the Gangtay Tulku (the 9th reincarnation of Pema Lingpa). Phobjikha in Gangtay is also home to rare black necked cranes (Grus nigricllis) that migrate from the Central Asiatic Plateau of Tibet to escape the harsh winter. Overnight at Dewachen, Gangtey, Phobjikha.
Day 06 Wangdue – Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu after visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong.
After arrival to Thimphu visit the National memorial chorten which was built in 1974 in Memory of the third king; visit the Folk Heritage museum, arts and crafts, and visit Chang Gangkha Monastery. In the evening you can drive to the viewpoint from which you can view the whole Thimphu City. On the way you can also stop and visit a small zoo to see the National animal of Bhutan, the Takin. Overnight at Hotel Galingkha, Thimphu.
Day 07 Thimphu – Paro
Return drive to Paro. In Paro visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 Kms. up the valley. Built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts, village and on a clear day view the spectacular Mt. Chomolhari (7,314 meters). Drive back south and visit Kyichu Temple, which, according to Bhutanese tradition, was initially built by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, in the seventh century. Return back to hotel for lunch, After Lunch Dungtshi Lhakhang founded by Drubthop Thongthong Gyelpo (Iron chain bridge builder) in the 12th century. Then walk in the market. Over night at Tashi Namgay Resort, Paro.
Day 08 Departure from Paro international Airport.
Tashi Delek.
