7 Days Classic Bhutan – Of Culture & Traditions

Note:

• Please note that booking for this itinerary has to adhere to the departure day in the week as advised below due to Druk Air flight schedule.
• For this itinerary, you have to depart on a SUNDAY and return on a WEDNESDAY.
• There is a 45 minutes in-flight transit in Kolkotta both ways.

Sunday | Singapore – Paro   KB 501 | 0630/0945

Thursday | Singapore – Paro   KB 501 | 0630/0945

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Wednesday | Paro – Singapore   KB 500 | 0720/1515

Saturday | Paro – Singapore   KB 500 | 0720/1515

All info are act as a guide and are correct as of time of publication.
Please check directly on airline website for latest flight schedules.

Check in at airport Druk Air counter with your air ticket, passport and Bhutan visa. On this flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalaya as you start approaching Bhutan. Arrive at Paro International Airport. You will be required to show your Bhutan visa again as part of the immigration process. After which your guide will meet and welcome you. We take a two hour scenic drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan and arrive in time to check in hotel and lunch.

View Point
From this hill top, you can see the panoramic view of Thimphu

National Zoo
You can see Yak and Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan.

Thimphu Dzong (only after 4pm)
The main Secretariat Building. This massive structure houses part of the Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot.

Thimphu Town
Explore Thimphu town at leisure.You can purchase world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from general post office which is right next to Bhutan National Bank.

Evening back to hotel for dinner and rest.

The full day program include visiting the following places:Memorial Chorten
A huge stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972.

Buddha Point
This is one of the biggest Buddhist Stupa in Bhutan. From this hill top, you can see the panoramic view of Thimpu City.

The National Library of Bhutan
The National Archives is responsible for collecting and preserving important past, present and future documents on Bhutan for future generations.

Handicrafts Emporium
Downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning kiras which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration, jewelleries and many more.

Pangri Zampa Monastery
The Monastery is situated just beyond Dechencholing (5kms from Thimphu ). This Lhakhang was the residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. The Monastery was built during the first quarter of the 16th century by Ngawang Chogyel, the great-great- grandfather of the Shabdrung and the 14th hierarchy of the Drukpas.

Evening back to hotel for dinner and rest.

After breakfast, we set off for Punakha (77km, 3.5 hr drive).

Dochula Pass
Located on the way to Punakha, the pass offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens- the construction of these108 chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.Arrive in Punakha for lunch.

Punakha Dzong
Built in 1637 AD, the Dzong houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers known as Pochu and Mochu which means “Male River and Female River.”Start short trek (3.5 hrs two ways) to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Chorten stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. This temple is dedicated for the well-being of the kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings.

Evening check in hotel, have dinner and rest.

After an early breakfast visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Check out the hotel and drive to Paro.

Chime Leaching
30 minutes’ walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple. It is located on a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ‘Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small Chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for Barren women.

After that continue drive to Paro (6.5 hrs). Check in Resort and dinner.

After breakfast drive to Chele La Pass (3,988m. 1.5 hrs).

Chele La Pass
Chele La Pass separates the Haa and Paro valley and is one of the highest motor able pass in Bhutan. On a clear day there are spectacular views of Mt. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake as well as the Haa and Paro valley.After that drive back to Paro.

Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong
This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge and guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.DLunch in Paro town.

Paro Town
The charming small town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. It is nice to explore this quaint Bhutanese town leisurely at the end of a day of sightseeing.

Evening back to Resort and dinner.

After breakfast drive (2 hrs) to the hiking start point of Taktsang.

Taktsang Monastery (4 hours round hike)
The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro Valley and river. It is believed during the second half of the 8th century Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. A round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. You have the option of hiring a horse or do a partial hike if you feel not up to a full hike.

Paro Market
Paro market is a well-preserved traditional outdoor market located in the center of Paro town. Sellers sit on the ground displaying all their goods while buyers squat to choose what they want and make bargains. It is also a collection of Bhutan’s unique local products such as dried yak cheese, exotic-looking ferns, powdered juniper incense, squares of dried jellied cow skin and slabs of datse, the cheese used in almost every Bhutanese dish.

Paro Town
The charming small town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. It is nice to explore this quaint Bhutanese town leisurely at the end of a day of sightseeing.

Evening back to Resort and dinner.

After breakfast transfer to Paro Airport for departure.