7 Nights Bhutan Tour
Day 1
Arrive from Bangkok/Calcutta by Druk Air at 0915 hours. You will
be received at the Paro Airport by our representative.
Transfer to Rinchen Ling Lodge of Changshe Norbu Tours & Treks.
After checking in enjoy tea and refreshments in the garden, take
a walk, or relax in the garden. After lunch visit the Paro
Rinpung Dzong, the seat of the District Body of Monks or Sangha,
the District Administration, and the District Court. Then visit
the National Museum which is in the Ta-Dzong or Watch Tower.
Have dinner and spend the evening at Rinchen Lodge.
Day 2
After an early breakfast drive up to the base of the Taktsang
Monastery. You can either hike up to the Taktsang View Point or
ride a mule or pony. It is a 90 minute hike up the hill. Taktsang Monastery is one of the most sacred
monasteries to
Buddhists. Tourists are only allowed to the view point. The
monastery clings to a vertical cliff 3000 feet above the Paro valley. It is believed that in the 8th Century AD Guru
Rinpoche came to Taktsang in a miraculous manner, flying on the
back of a pregnant tigress. The tigress was actually his favorite consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. Taktsang
means ‘Tiger’s Nest”. The temple was destroyed in 1998 by fire,
but has been restored. (Changshe Norbu arranges special permits for our
guests to visit this sacred temple.)
Lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria
After lunch descend slowly.
Afternoon visit the Paro Market and the Kitchu Lhakhang, the
oldest temple in Bhutan along with Jampay Lhakhang in Bumthang.
It is believed that these two temples were built by King
Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th Century.
Evening at Rinchen Ling.
Day 3
After breakfast drive one and a half hours to Thimphu, the
capital of Bhutan.
Thimphu is a much busier and crowded city
than Paro.
Spend the night at Hotel Pedling/Yeedzin.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon visit the Handicrafts Emporium, the Textile Museum and
the Handmade Paper Unit. Bhutan is known for its arts and
crafts.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4
After an early breakfast visit the Memorial Chorten a large
stupa built in the memory of Late His Majesty the 3rd King of
Bhutan.
Rest of the day free for exploring Thimphu or visiting any other
place of interest.
Day 5
After breakfast drive to Wangdue about 70 KM 2 ½ hours drive.
Drive straight to Punakha, lunch at a local restaurant in Khuru.
After lunch visit the
Punakha Dzong. All these Dzongs are like
the forts or castles. Punakha Dzong houses the Body of
Monks(Sangha) and the District Administrative Headquarters.
Stay at the Dragon’s Nest Hotel YT.
If time permits visit Wangdue Dzong,
Day 6
Morning visit Wangdue Dzong, after visiting Wangdue Town drive
back up to Docho la for lunch. If one is lucky with the weather
we will have a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas.
Evening back to Rinchen Ling Lodge at Paro.
Day 7
Get up early and drive up to Chile la, highest point on Bhutan's
roads at 12,000 feet. While having a breakfast picnic enjoy the
sun rising over the Himalayas. The snow capped mountains turn gold and red in the morning sun.
Drive down into Haa Valley through beautiful yak pastures.
Packed lunch at a beautiful spot.
After lunch drive back to Paro via Chile la about 60km or1½ hour
drive to view the sun set.
Evening at Rinchen Ling Lodge. A camp fire and dinner for the
guests.
Day 8
Depart for Calcutta/Bangkok by Druk Air at 10:15 am.. We hope
that you have enjoyed your visit to our country.
Tashi Delek
