General Information
Start/ End: Thimphu/ Paro
Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Paro
Duration: 8 Days/ 7 Nights
Tour Category: Bhutan Tour Itinerary
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English speaking guide, other languages depends on your request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Transfer to Thimphu
Day 2: Explore Thimphu Valley
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Day 4: Explore Punakha
Day 5: Punakha – Paro
Day 6: Explore Paro Valley
Day 7: Tiger’s Nest Hiking Journey
Day 8: Paro Departure
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Transfer to Thimphu
Upon arrival, our guide will warmly greet you at the airport. Next, we transfer to Thimphu where you will have the choice of the National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library to visit, and perhaps spend time strolling Main Street for some interesting Himalayan artifacts or textiles. Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Hotel: Amankora Thimphu
Day 2: Explore Thimphu Valley (B)
After having breakfast, head to the north end of the valley to view Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the seat of Bhutan’s government and Royal offices, and pay a visit to Pangri Zampa, two 16th century buildings that now house a monastic training school for astrologers.
At the head of the valley, stretch your legs to get ready to take a short hike to Cheri Goemba, the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. Back in town, you should be able to visit a few of the capital’s cottage industries ranging from traditional paper making to hand-rolled incense.
Hotel: Amankora Thimphu
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha (B)
Today, you will be served a delicious breakfast before taking departure for a dramatic drive over the high mountain pass of Dochu La and on to the Punakha Valley. Sights on the way include one of Bhutan’s first fortress monasteries, the 17th-century Simtokha Dzong, and ancient wall paintings at the Hongtsho Goemba monastery. The journey continues over the 3,050m mountain pass where on a clear day, towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible.
The descent down through the Punakha Valley along the Kingdom’s only east-west highway will loop you through the Valley of Wangdi where you can visit the rustic Wangdiphodrang Dzong and perhaps the local town temple next door. Time will be afforded to walk this small village and explore its row of intimate shops before heading back into Punakha Valley.
In the afternoon, you will have a choice to visit the village of Talo, home of the Queens’ and the valley’s protective deity Lhakhang. Later, pay a hike to an ancient monastery on the hilltop behind the lodge can be organized or time is given to enjoy the farmhouse and spa of the lodge.
Hotel: Amankora Punakha
Day 04: Explore Punakha (B)
Your second day in Punakha Valley begins with a hike up through fields of chilies, cabbages, and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999. Returning down through the valley, you will have plenty of time to take in the impressive Punakha Dzong, home to the remains of Bhutan’s first ruler, Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, and the winter residence of the monastic order’s leader and his entourage of monks.
After that, a picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the Punakha Chhu at a vantage point of the stunning Punakha Dzong and the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu. Afterward, a quick drive will take you to the village of Talo where you will stop to walk the stunning, quiet grounds of the village temple and perhaps visit the home village of the Kingdom’s four Queens. Further hikes or valley excursions can be organized.
Hotel: Amankora Punakha
Day 05: Punakha – Paro (B)
After descending back down from Dochu La, follow your way back up the dramatic Wang Chu and Paro Chu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley. Here, set in a pine forest, you will find the Amankora lodge and its spa.
In the afternoon, you will have a great opportunity for a quick stroll to the nearby ruins, a visit to some of the valley’s oldest and holiest religious monuments or a ramble down Paro’s main street. Evenings at Amankora may include informative lectures on the history, religion, flora, and fauna of the region or an intriguing movie on the Himalayas.
Hotel: Amankora Paro
Day 06: Explore Paro Valley (B)
This day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here, an intriguing collection of artifacts provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lays the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge, and guests are then driven to the town temple, built-in 1525, to view ancient wall paintings.
In the afternoon, there will be the best choice of excursions with those wanting a further immersion into the culture and religion, visits to the Kyichu Lhakhang, Dumtse Lhakhang and the Drukgyel Dzong altar room can be organized. For the hikers, a beautiful trail can be taken up behind the lodge carrying on past Drukgyel Dzong, along the Paro Chhu, then across a suspension bridge and up thru terraced farmland and forests before looping back down the river to a second bridge and across the river, returning to the lodge.
Hotel: Amankora Paro
Day 07: Tiger’s Nest Hiking Journey (B)
Today, pay a hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktsang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four to five-hour return trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. The balance of the day can be spend browsing shops in town, enjoying the spa around the lodge or taking on another hike into the rich forests that rise up behind the lodge.
Hotel: Amankora Paro
Day 08: Paro Departure (B)
A car will be ready to take you to Paro Airport for your international flight departure. Your trip ends.
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