4 Nights / 5 Days
Daily Tour
16 people
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This popular Bhutan cultural tour provides an in-depth view into the ancient way of life and rich culture that still thrives in Bhutan today through the western valleys of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangduephodrang. It is a well paced tour, designed to provide the opportunity to really savour the unique highlights of Bhutan’s western districts which offer diverse mountainous landscapes, a rich Buddhist heritage including monasteries, temples and chortens, historical fortresses and an extremely hospitable people. You will discover the vibrant history of Bhutan visiting the Ta Dzong Museum, Rimpong Dzong with its wooden cantilevered bridge and the infamous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in the beautiful Paro Valley. In Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, you will visit the The National Memorial Chorten, 12th century Changangkha Temple and the National Library exhibiting ancient scriptures before crossing the 3050m Dochula Pass with its 108 chortens, numerous prayer flags and spectacular Himalayan views into the sub-tropical Punakha Valley featuring the incredible Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakang, temple of the ‘Divine Madman’.
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The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, providing a
spectacular panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Drive to the capital, Thimphu
along the Paa chu River.
Visit Folk Heritage Museum is a great place for those who want to learn about the traditional
lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. The museum houses a rich collection of equipment, tools,
household objects and artefacts from rural households, all of which offer a glimpse of the
traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. Apart from showcasing these objects, the museum is also
involved in organizing regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, customs and habits of
the local people. Educational programs for children are also held in the museum.
Later visit the Zorig Chusum refers to the thirteen traditional arts of Bhutan. At the National
Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu, students learn these arts, which include clay sculpting,
traditional painting, tailoring, wood carving, gold and silver smiting, and mask carving. Some of
the other arts taught here are wood turning and lacquering, embroidery, and traditional boot
making. Aspiring artists attend the courses from one to four years. In the institute, one can visit
the classrooms and watch students fine-tuning their crafts.
Jungshi Handmade paper factory, rough natural fibers are extracted from the bark of two
species of highland shrubs and slowly transformed into beautiful translucent sheets of paper.
The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the
manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade
paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even
try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho
paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for
writing prayer books.
Weaving center Located in the south end of Thimphu, the Weaving Centre is a privately owned
centre which produces traditional hand-woven textiles of the region. Apart from producing items for
sale, the centre is also famous for producing ceremonial textiles for the for Bhutanese royals,
including the gho and kushturara for the king and queen. The place is known for its huge collection
of a wide range of clothing and readymade garments, including carves, belts, and jackets among
other things. What attracts travellers to this place is the fact that one can see the weavers at work,
and photographs are allowed too.
After breakfast drive to Punakha valley (1300m/4265ft) the former capital of Bhutan. On the
way after 45 minutes‟ drive from Thimphu will reach at highest pass between Thimphu and
Punakha the place called Dochula pass (3140m). In 2004, Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo
Wangchuck commissioned 108 chortens in Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha.
These chortens commemorate Bhutan's victory over the Indian insurgents hidden in Southern
Bhutan in 2003. The 4th Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, led the army. Hundreds
of prayer flags flap in the wind at Dochula, carrying positive merit on the breeze to all sentient
beings. For centuries, people have travelled through this pass while making their way across the
country. On a clear day, the views from the top are astonishing. One can see many snow-covered
7000-meter peaks, including Gangkhar Phuensum, the world's highest unclimbed mountain.
Upon reaching Punakha valley visit Punakha Dzong the impressive Dzong built in 1637 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region.
Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been
fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. It is open for visitors during the Punakha
festival (early spring) and in the summer months, after the monk body has returned to Thimphu.
The Dzong is placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. This ancient
fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order‟s head and still serves as the administrative
headquarters for the Punakha region.
After visiting the Punakha Dzong take a leisurely walk for 5 to 10 minutes to reach the longest
suspension bridge of Bhutan. We have a great view of villages on the other side of the river.
Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
After the breakfast drive towards Paro crossing the beautiful 108 stupas at the Dochula pass and
the capital city Thimphu. Stop at Chuzom bridge, Confluence of Thimphu River (Wang Chu) &
Paro river (Pa Chu) to stretch you legs from the long drive. En-route stop to visit the Tamchog,
built by Thangtong Gyalpo, a pioneering engineer who introduced the construction of suspension
bridges into Bhutan and Tibet. It is believed that more than 58 bridges were built across the
country however only 2 have survived. One of these bridges still stands strong at the base of the
Tamchog Lhakhang. Marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links. Upon
reaching Paro lunch will be served. After lunch do the Zuri Hike 45 minutes hike. The hike
provides wonderful views down over the valley and Dzong and is perfect for you to train your
legs for the tiger’s nest hike the next day. In the evening stroll around the Paro town to look for
souvenir to take back home and take good rest in the hotel to prepare for the hike to the Tiger’s
nest. Overnight in hotel at Paro.
After early breakfast drive to the base of Tiger’s nest monastery, the walk of approximately 1.5
to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot
hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). From a distance, Bhutan's most iconic
building seems to float, weightless, halfway up a sheer cliff-face, 900 meters (3,000 feet) above
the floor of the Paro Valley. As you wind your way breathlessly up the long, steep path towards
Taktsang Lhakhang, the monastery periodically reveals itself, rising out of the forest, closer and
more solid with each reappearance.
The Bhutanese believe that the original construction of Taktsang in 1692. Taktsang was razed in
a major fire in April 1998, and the temple took five years to reconstruct with the help of a
rudimentary cableway that has since been removed.
Later in the evening we highly recommend you to take a relaxing hot stone bath at a traditional
Bhutanese home stay to relax your sore muscles after the hike. (Extra charges applicable).
Dinner at a homestay or farm house to experience the true cuisine of Bhutan. Overnight in hotel
at Paro.
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
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