Among the clouds Ex- Kolkatta

• Welcome to Paro. The last 15 minutes or so is amazing with snow covered peaks jutting majestically out
• of the clouds and then mountains either side as Druk Air zooms down the valley getting lower and lower
• and closer to the airport. On the view are settlements on the ground, the bare paddy fields, the
• meandering tracks, the river and streams, the trees and finally the town of Paro and the International
• Airport. Located at an elevation of approximately 2200 meter above sea level, this airport sometimes is
• called as “straight out of the fairy tales

• After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: the National
• Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum
• (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan's
• 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts
• Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you
• can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry,
• interesting items made from local materials.

• After Breakfast Drive to BBS Tower Area (SangayGang) to start a short hike(1.5 hr) to Wangditse
• Goemba, which was founded in the 18th century by the eighth desi (secular ruler). The hike will start
• from the BBS tower till Dechenphodrang Nunnery through the pine forest. On this trail you can also see
• and enjoy a beautiful Thimphu city view. While this is being done Hotel will organize Hot pack lunch for river side picnic. Come back to Hotel. Freshen up and then drive to the foothills of the Cheri Geomba to
• enjoy the afternoon along the river side. This is a must do.

• Early evening visit the memorial Chorten. This large impressive monument
• with its golden spire was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third King,
• His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928 – 1972).
• Built by his mother Her Majesty the late Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden
• Wangchuck, the whitewashed chorten is decorated with richly carved
• annexes facing the four directions, and features elaborate mandalas, statues
• and a shrine dedicated to the popular third king. There are numerous religious
• paintings and complex tantric statues housed inside reflecting both peaceful
• and wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. Throughout the day people
• circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray in
• the adjacent shrine. The early morning and evenings is particularly tranquil as
• elderly people shuffle in and spruced-up school kids whiz in and out to pay
• homag

• Early Start after Breakfast: Hike to Khamsum Yuley: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a
• beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. It was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering
• Yangdon Wangchuck. It took 9 years to build and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were
• consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic
• traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient
• beings. It is a 15-20 mins hike from the suspension bridge. The Chorten would take a one hour hike to
• approach. It offers a beautiful view of the Punakha Valley.

• One time watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, since
• 1967 Ta Dzong is serving as the National Museum of the country. It holds fascinating collection of art,
• relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape
• augments its varied collection displayed over several floors.

• Hike to Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang is located on a high cliff towards the north of Paro town. It was
• first built in 1692, around the Taktsang SengeSamdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to
• have meditated for three months in the 8th century. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru
• Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a
• demon. He then performed meditation in one of the caves here and emerged in eight incarnated forms
• (manifestations) and blessed the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
• Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best
• known of the thirteen caves in which he meditated.

After breakfast transfer to airport to catch fligh