Thimphu 2N – Punakha 1N – Paro 2N

On arrival Check in to the hotel. We will drive to Thimphu. After reaching Thimphu, if time permits, visit the Memorial Chorten (1974).The temple was first initiated by our Third King as a monument to world peace but was complicated by Her Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who passed away in 1972.Drive to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel

We’ll start our day visiting simply Bhutan, to wear Gho and kira and enjoy the traditional cultural dance. Then followed by
Folk Heritage Museum: The museum was opened to the general public in 2001 upon completion. In the museum you’ll learn first-hand, about Bhutan’s rich culture and traditions, its deeply rooted heritage which spans back thousands of years and the Bhutanese way of life.
National Textile Museum: One of the important Museums. When visiting this museum you’ll get an up close and personal experience of the living national art of weaving and the changing exhibitions at the museum will introduce you to the major weaving techniques, used to make the beautiful Bhutanese fabrics. It also gives you achance to see the various styles and way of dressing of men and women from different parts of Bhutan.
Tashichho Dzong (‘’Fortress of Glorious Religion’’ 1641).The Fortress is also a Buddhist monastery located at the northern edge of Thimphu. It has historically served as the seat of Druk Desi and had been the seat for the Royal government since 1952 but presently houses the Throne room and the His Majesties secretariat. The monument welcomes visitors during Thimphu Tshechu which is held during autumn every year.
Kuensel Phodrang to visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue: Kuensel Phodrang or popularly known as the Buddha point, where you’ll find one of the World’s largest sitting Buddha statue, standing 167 feet high from the ground.
Drive back to the hotel and dinner and overnight at the hotel. Halt at Thimphu

After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan.) If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. In the way visit Chimi Lhakhang, temple of Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the title “Divine Madman” since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhist doctrine during his time. Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here.Overnight at Punakha.

After a good breakfast we’ll drive to Paro. In the way visit Tachog Lhakhang (oldest bridge in Bhutan). In the afternoon enjoy sightseeing around Paro, including visit to the Ta Dzong, now housing as the National Museum of Bhutan displaying the religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered to be the master of meditation and believed to have attained enlightenment by the Bhutanese people. Dzongs are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours). Drive back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Climb through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop to rest for light refreshment at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, DorjiDrolo, said to be his favourite consort.Drive back to the hotel. Leisure, dinner & overnight in hotel.

Proceed to the airport for your flight back to home bound. It’s time to say good bye to everyone except your memories. We hope you are fulfilled with lots of happy memories.