Beautiful Bhutan - Option 1

The most spectacular mountain flights you will ever experience in a life time. Flying in from the heat of the plains of India one can witness from the left side of the aircrafts window a series of the world’s highest peaks. Your pilot will announce the names of the peaks if the weather is clear. You will descend into the high mountains and as the plane lowers you will not find any airstrip or any city but instead you will enjoy the view of the approaching valley of Paro, the alpine forests, little monasteries, temples and farm houses. Before the plane touches the runaway you will get a glimpse of the fertile valley of Paro, the Paro Dzong and Paro chu(river). Our representative will be at the airport to assist you, meet and greet and transfer to the hotel and transfer to the capital city. Day at leisure. O/n at Thimphu.

Morning transfer to Thimphu and when in Thimphu you got to prepare for surprises where this unique capital has no traffic lights but adopted its own version of the British – Indian colonial times traffic policemen who can startle you and memorize others with his elaborate hand gestures, sometimes he may be signaling stop when it looks like go but don’t worry you can observe the flow and notice his smile as you stare at him. Sightseeing includes the Folk Heritage Museum, National Library, Handicrafts Center to view the traditional arts, the indigenous Medicine Hospital, the Painting School and from the road point take a glimpse of Trashichho Dzong. Further drive uphill and visit Takin Zoo where you will find national animal of Bhutan. Afternoon visit National Memorial Chorten a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan and Buddha statue. Evening take a leisure walk to the main city from Clock tower square. O/n at Thimphu.

Morning take a 45 minutes leisure drive up hill toward Dochula pass and on the way you will stop at Hongtsho village. Here you will come across immigration check point where you will have to show your permit for entering Dochula pass, the immigration will stamp on your permit as entered and while returning will have to deposit the permit at the counter (standard procedure). Just next to the check point you will find small local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale in plastic bags you could try some. Few kilometers you drive up hill and reach the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. As you reach the pass you find the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags greet you. You could take three rounds and offer prayers, take some best photo shots. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north,Gangar Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world. If you are hungry you could try some hot tea/coffee and light snacks at Dochula Resort just a few distances below. Return to Thimphu and visit the city for shopping or leisure. O/n at Thimphu

• Morning drive to Paro valley and visit the National Museum housed in a round fortress called as the Ta Dzong considered to be one of the best natural history museums in Asia where it has a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts. Just below Ta Dzong lies Paro Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang the monastery dates back to 7th century and is one of the oldest and most sacred.
• Afternoon visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th century fortress that used to keep invaders from Tibet and in 1951 the fort was destroyed by fire. Evening at leisure. O/n at Paro.

Morning - if you are adventurous and physically fit you could hike or take a horse ride till (one-way) the world famous “Tigers Nest “or popularly known as “Taktsang” one of the popular spiritual heritage sites. It was here that the great tantric master Guru Padma Sambhava flew in from Tibet on a tiger to bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan. (Round hike take 6 - 7 hours).Afternoon visit the town for shopping or leisure. O/n at Paro.

Morning transfer to Paro International Airport for your next destination.