Bhutan Exploration 8 Days Tour

DAY 1 Arrive in Paro Paro airport provides the first taste of Bhutanese architecture and is surely one of the world’s most beautiful. In the afternoon, we visit Ta Dzong, originally a Watch Tower and now the National Museum. Then walk down to Paro Dzong and learn how these spectacular buildings have combined the monastic and civic administration of Bhutan for centuries. OVERNIGHT Paro hotel MEALS Dinner DAY 2 Paro to Punakha Valley Cross the 3050m Dochu La Pass 3050m today on steep winding roads through beautiful dense forests. In the Punakha Valley, a short walk visits the Chimi Lhakhang Temple, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley or ‘The Divine Madman’ and renowned for blessing barren women with fertility. Keen birdwatchers can drive to the Che Le La Pass at sunrise in search of Blood Grouse and the Himalayan Monal. OVERNIGHT:Punakha hotel MEALS:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 3 Punakha Dzong drive to GangteyA morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten takes in river banks, mixed forest and terraced fields of chillies and vegetables. Next, we visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong, which lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which symbolise masculine and feminine co-existence. After lunch, drive on to Gangtey. OVERNIGHTGangtey hotel MEALS:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 4 Phobjikha Valley walk, Gangtey We enjoy a nature walk today in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, famous for the rare black-necked cranes that make it home between October and March after an arduous migration over the Himalayan mountains from the Tibetan plateau (the annual Crane festival in November is well worth a visit). We also visit the Gangtey Monastery. OVERNIGHT:Gangtey hotel MEALS:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 5 Drive to Thimphu via Wangdue Phodrang Re-cross the Dochu La Pass to the capital Thimphu. En-route visit the ancient Dzong at Wangduephodrang, which is relatively un-restored and gives a real feel for how these buildings have run life in Bhutan over the centuries. OVERNIGHT:Thimphu hotel MEALS:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 6 Thimphu tours Today’s sightseeing in Thimphu includes the Memorial Chorten, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts & Crafts and the Takin research centre. All our tours also aim to fit in with the huge weekend food and crafts market, which is a great place to pick up a souvenir of your time in Bhutan. A stop at the national stadium to view an archery tournament is also well worthwhile. OVERNIGHT:Thimphu hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 7 Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) walk Start early for 2-3 hours steep uphill walk to the iconic Taktshang monastery, perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang is probably Bhutan’s most famous site and attracts pilgrims from all over Bhutan. In the afternoon, visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple. In the evening, you could enjoy a relaxing traditional hot stone bath to ease any tired limbs. OVERNIGHT:Paro hotel MEALS:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 8 Paro, departure airport transfer Your time is free until we transfer you to the airport for departure. We can book your international Druk Air flights into Bhutan and extension options in Kathmandu, Delhi and Bangkok are available to enable connections to your onward flights. OVERNIGHT:N/A MEALS:Breakfast