5-Day Paro and Thimphu Tour with Taktsang Monastery Hike

• On arrival at Paro airport and after completing airport formalities, meet your Ati Jong representative. Then drive from Paro to Thimphu, the modern capital city of Bhutan, for an exciting blend of tradition and modernity.
• On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha (51.5 metres), seated on top of Kuensel Phodrang Hill. This site offers unobstructed views over the Thimphu Valley.
• Free time, or a program may be arranged according to your choice. In the evening, drive to the Mini Zoo, where the takin, the national animal of Bhutan, can be seen. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region, and its head looks like that of a goat while its body resembles that of a cow or yak.
• Before sunset, drive to Sangaygang Viewpoint (2685 m) for views of the whole Thimphu Valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the valley.

Overnight at the hotel.

• Thimphu is the most unusual capital city in the world and is the seat of government. Today's full-day sightseeing in Thimphu Valley with your Bhutanese tour guide includes visits to:
  • National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who wanted to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King,

• In the morning, drive to Paro and visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps, and a small natural history collection.
• Visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), situated at a commanding height overlooking the Paro Valley. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this dzong now houses Paro's monk body and the offices of the civil administration, and it is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.
• Visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight at the hotel.

• In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The main structure was severely damaged by a fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory.

Overnight at the hotel.

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your return flight to your onward destination.