Tour to “Land of Thunder Dragon

Upon arrival at the Paro, Bhutan- the land of peaceful dragons, meet and greet with your guide. Then, you will be escorted to Thimphu. Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion, and commerce, is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With a population of about 90,000, it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

En route, stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different styles of stupas—Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese—adorn this confluence. 

Our representative will escort you to the hotel and assist you with the check-in process. After a short briefing on the trip, visit Memorial Chorten: The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a large Tobetan-style Buddhist monastery and is a popular landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. 

Tashichhodzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and the central monk body.

Note: Tashichho Dzong is open during the weekdays after office hours (5 p.m. onwards) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.  

 Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

On this day, you will do local sightseeing in Thimphu, such as

• The Buddha Dordenma: One of the biggest Buddha Statues in the world. It was constructed through donations from devotees all around the world. 
• National Library: It is known for the storage of all kinds of ancient books of Buddhist culture, 
• The Folk Heritage Museum, 
• The National Institute of Traditional Medicine: The Institution produces traditional Bhutanese medicine towards the needs of the public. There is a day-care facility and clinic where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe appropriate medicines or treatments. 

If time permits then we will also visit Ta kin Sanctuary and Painting school.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Thimphu. (B+D)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. En route visit at Dochula Pass. Here we can have a look and admire the Chorten, Mani wall, and prayer flags that decorate the highest point on the road.  Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

Upon reaching Punakha we will visit 

• Chimi Lhakhang: Chimi Lhakhang located near Lobesa, Punakha stands on a round hillock and is flanked by hundreds of prayer flags. Built-in 1499, this monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. 
• Punakha Dzong: The dzong is situated near two rivers – the Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River), the Punakha Dzong is one of the largest Dzongs in Bhutan. We pass through the suspension bridge to arrive at Dzong. Punakha Dzong was initially called Druk Pungthang or Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), for many years until the second king of Bhutan assumed power. 

Overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha(B+D)

Early morning drive to Paro. Upon arrival, we will visit Later visit Paro Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan.

• Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs in Bhutan. One of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture is also known as the Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. It is the administrative seat of the district of Paro, built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. 
• National Museum of Bhutan (open till 4 pm): It is housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower), there is an intriguing collection of artifacts that provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. 

Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro. (B+D)

Breakfast at the hotel and Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest Base Camp Point).

• Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000m altitude north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’, is the most famous and unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in a cave here for three months and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best-known of the thirteen caves in which Guru Padmasambhava meditated. 

An hour’s hike up to a small wooden teahouse called Cafeteria provides a close view of the monastery. A further and rather challenging hike of an hour and a half will lead you to the glorious Taktsang Monastery. Returning back visit the 

• Drukgyel Dzong, built as one of the four principal Dra Dzongs (defense fortress). It was built in 1649 to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese over the allied Tibet-Mongol forces. Drukgyel means ‘the fortress of victory’. The Dzong sits on a trail that leads to the Paro Valley from Tibet. 

Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro. (B+D) 

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to the airport for your onward journey. You will be dropped off at the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.