Punakha Dromche / Tshechu (10 Days / 9 Nights)
Day 01:February 19 - Arrival at Paro International Airport
(By Druk Air flight KTM-PBH sector)
Our guide/representative will receive you at Paro International Airport and drive you to the hotel. After lunch, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. The Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jumolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Overnight Hotel
Day 02:
February 20 – Paro Sightseeing/Excursion to Takshang Monastery
A very special day with an excursion to view the spectacular Takshang Monastery. “Takshang” literally means Tiger’s Nest – The Monastery is believed to have been built in 1684 on the spot where Guru Rimpoche (founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) flew on the back of a Tigress and meditated to subdue the demons in Paro valley.
The trail to the Monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. This incredible Monastery clings vertically to the edge of a granite rock cliff that plunges 900 meters above the valley floor.
After lunch, visit Taa Dzong, a watchtower to the Dzong below in ancient times, now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, now is the centre of Administrative and Religious authority of Paro valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Evening visit a Bhutanese Traditional Farm House. Overnight: Hotel, Paro.
Day 03:
February 21 – Paro - Thimphu Sightseeing
Full day sight seeing: Visit Tashichhodzong (the central secretariat building), National Library, Painting School, Indigenous Hospital, National Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Memorial Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, Hand made Paper factory and Dup-Thop Monastery. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight hotel.
Day 04:
February 22 - Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha across the Dochula Pass alt. 3050 Meters. If the weather is clear, you will have great view of the Higher Himalayas from the pass. Continue drive to Punakha with a stop at Missina to hike to visit Chhimi Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kunley who is also known as the Devine Mad Man. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is regarded as a pilgrimage site for barren couple and is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. This beautiful temple is known for increasing fertility in woman and of late, even women from across the world drop by to this temple in hopes of conceiving. Aside from its significance to women, the temple is located in a wide-open valley away from the road point for visitors to take l short walk while on the way to Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1637. This Dzong has a historical significance in the Bhutanese History and is open to visitors only in summer when the monk body moves to Thimphu.
Visit the newly built Khamsum Yulley Monastery and walk around the valley on foot. Overnight Hotel
Day 06:
February 24 – Punakha Festival – Gangtey - Punakha
Early breakfast & attend Festival in the morning and day excursion to Gangtey-Phobjikha Valley. While at Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa, an ancient monastery that was built in 17th century. Continue drive to Phobjikha valley, which is a wide open and a beautiful valley. This valley is also a winter home of the rare and endangered species bird ‘Black Necked Crane’ that migrate from the Tibetan plateaus in the north. Their arrival numbers have been steadily increasing over the years as the Phobjikha grounds have proved ideal and safe for them. You may be able to spot some as they go back only by mid of March. Lunch at Wangduephodrang; Overnight Hotel
Day 07:
February 25 – Punakha – Wangdue – Punakha
Early breakfast and attend Festival. After lunch, drive to Wangduephodrang to visit Wangdue Dzong. This Dzong was built in the 17th century which stands at the confluence of Punakha-Chu and Tang-Chu rivers. Overnight Hotel
Day 08:
February 26 – Punakha - Thimphu Sightseeing
After a late breakfast drive to Thimphu via the Dochula Pass. Before arriving to Thimphu visit the Semtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1627. After lunch visit Sangyegang viewpoint where you will have a good view of Thimphu town. On your return, visit the “Taken Preservation Center”, the national animal of Bhutan. Overnight Hotel
Day 09:
February 27 – Thimphu – Haa - Paro After breakfast, drive to Haa Valley. In Haa, visit the Karpo and Nagpo Monasteries and drive back to Paro via Chelela pass (Alt. appx.4000 Mtrs.) to see the beautiful scenery and walk up the pass (Above tree line for Photography). If weather is clear, you can view Mt. Jumolhari and the beautiful scenery of the whole valley. Overnight Hotel
Day 10:
February 28 - Paro Departure PBH-KTM sector
Early Morning, drive to Paro International Airport for departure.
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