Professional Tours and Treks                                

DAY 1: ARRIVR PARO (2280m) & DRIVE TO THIMPHU: 65KM/APPROX 1HR

Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan’s national Airline is spectacular. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering most beautiful scenery of some world’s highest peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (fortress) on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watch tower and now National Museum, above it. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative from MerryGoBhutan Tours and Travels and drive to Thimphu.

The first stop will allow you to view the magnificent Tachog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s Iron Bridge Builder and further drive will reach to Chuzom marks by the confluence of Paro Chu (river) and the Wang chu. Opposite of you, at the confluence, are three protecting chortens each built in a different style. Evening stroll through the market and visit some handicraft shops. Overnight stay at Hotel, Thimphu.

DAY 2: THIMPHU (2320m)

Today sightseeing in Thimphu will begin with the visit to National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to world peace and prosperity in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan, the Kingdom’s rich culture at the National Library, Folk Heritage Museum which will provide an insight into traditional Bhutanese farm house and rural past through exhibits and documentation of rural life and the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where students undergo training course in Bhutan’s thirteen traditional arts and crafts;

After lunch visit Changangkha Lhakhang, a fortress likes temple which lies perched on a ridge above Thimphu, Taken Preserve to see the rare national animal of Bhutan. This animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology. A further drive towards the BBS tower will provide a bird’s eye view of the capital, visit nunnery and followed by a visit to Tashichho Dzong or “the fortress of the glorious religion” which is Bhutan’s administration and religious centre and houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and other Government offices. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Overnight stay at Hotel, Thimphu.

DAY 3: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (1300m): 77KM/APPROX 2 ½HR

Your journey continues with travels to the east onwards to Punakha through some of the Kingdom’s richest agricultural land and most dramatic river valleys. En route stop at Dochu La, 3050meters pass, snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. Prayer flags will flutter you over the pass deeper into the essence of Bhutan. The beauty is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chorten – 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen Mother. Once you cross the pass, you descend into a warm fertile valley. On the way stop at Mitsina village and visit Chimi Lhakhang the auspicious fertility monastery dedicated to Divine Madman, you will take 20minutes walk through the rice fields.

After lunch visit Punakha Dzong which stands majestically between the two rivers- Pho Chu and Mo chu. The Dzong is said to be the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan; it is a marvelous structure with intense artwork, and the winter residence of the Je khempo (chief abbot). Also this is the second dzong built in Bhutan by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyel in the year 1637. Overnight stay at Hotel, Punakha.

DAY 4: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU

Today you will drive north of Punakha Valley following the Mo Chu and we will hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the splendid example of the Bhutanese architecture and art. After you finish visiting walk back via same path till the base and drive to Thimphu. On the way back from Punakha, stop at Dochu cafeteria for lunch. After lunch continue drive to Thimphu. Before you enter the town of Olakha visit to Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom stands on a lofty ridge. Overnight stay at Hotel, Thimphu.

DAY 5: THIMPHU-PARO

Today you will drive north of the Thimphu for a short hike about an hour to the 17th century Cheri monastery. It serves as a school of higher learning for graduate monks and where they practice inner meditation. It is also an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. After the visit to the monastery, then return walk to the base via same path. Drive back for lunch in the Town. After lunch drive to Kuensel Phodrang, largest Buddha Statue in the country but still under construction. From here you can see the view of Thimphu valley. Evening drive back to Paro. Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

DAY 6: PARO TIGER’S NEST HIKE-PARO

Today’s day will begin driving at Ramthangka , the base, to take on a stunning hike on foot to visit the Taktshang Gompa or Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Our hike to Taktshang from the road point will take through the well maintained path which is quite uphill and it takes around 2-3hours at an average walking speed. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees adorned with Spanish moss, and fluttering prayer flags. Stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang cafeteria.

Taktsang is incredible monastery clings to the edge of a steep rock cliff that plunges 900 meters onto the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, said to be his consort. Way back from Taktsang to Hotel. You will visit the auspicious Kyichu Lhakhang, a scared monument pinning down the left foot of an ogress, which is built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Songsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demon that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

DAY 7: PARO DEPERTURE

Early morning drive to the Paro International airport, for your onward journey.