Slice of Heaven 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 early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the
• view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road.
• If skies are clear, numerous peaks can be seen from this pass.
• Later visit to Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637
• by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region,
• Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and
• an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.

• The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of
• myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum
• and country's only airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the
• valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paro river). Paro is also one of
• the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced
• fields.

After breakfast transfer to airport to catch flight