6-Day Bhutan Tour of Paro Thimphu and Punakha with Tiger's Nest

• Meet the tour representative at Paro International Airport and transfer to Thimphu, with en-route sightseeing.
• Check in at the hotel in Thimphu.
• Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring Thimphu by vehicle and on foot. Your options include visits to the National Memorial Chorten, the celebrated Royal Textile Academy (closed Sun/PH), and the Takin Preserve - home to Bhutan's most unusual national mammal.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• Have breakfast and visit the GNH Center for Meditation (subject to appointment availability).
• Go sightseeing in Thimphu Valley, including a visit to the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts.
• Visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people.
• After lunch, drive to Sangaygang View Point (2,685 meters) for a view of the whole Thimphu Valley, and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags dotting the hill overlooking the valley.
• Drive to the Takin Reserve Centre. The takin, the national animal of Bhutan, can be seen here. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region.
• Head to Changangkha Monastery. Built in the 15th century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, this monastery stands on a hill overlooking Thimphu Valley. Many parents in Thimphu bring their newborn babies here to be blessed by a high lama.
• Try your hand at archery, a very popular sport among the Bhutanese and also the national sport. Afterwards, visit King's Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. The construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ('the father of modern Bhutan'), as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
• Conclude the day with a visit to Trashichhoedzong. This impressive fortress-monastery houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and the central monk body.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Altitude 2320m)

• Have breakfast and drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass. En route, visit Simtokha Dzong.
• Arrive in Punakha Valley, then stop to visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the Divine Madman or Mad Monk. It has a very colourful history and is reached by an easy 20-minute walk across paddy fields. It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a "wang" (blessing) from the resident monk.
• After lunch, enjoy an orientation tour of the valley, including the nunnery, and, time permitting, consider a visit to the traditional village of Talo, where you can wander through the serene grounds of the monastery with its beautiful gardens.
• Visit the dramatic Punakha Dzong, which formerly served as the seat of government and is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body). This is Bhutan's most spectacular dzong and an excellent example of how a medieval fortress and a centre of both monastic and administrative functions have adapted and evolved for modern-day use.

Overnight in Punakha Valley.

• Depart Punakha early in the morning for your transfer westwards to Paro Valley, once again traversing Dochu La and arriving in Paro town in time for a late lunch.
• Enjoy an orientation tour of the major features of Paro town, including Paro Dzong with its cantilever bridge and the National Museum, where you can view a fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and other artefacts.
• Walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels," which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, and scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru, and other cosmic mandalas.
• Wander along the main streets, which offer good shopping for jewellery and handicrafts.

Overnight in Paro Valley.

• Have breakfast and begin the excursion to Taktshang Monastery (approx. 5 hours round-trip walk). It is one of Bhutan's most famous monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence it is called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. In this serene and peaceful environment, you can practice meditation alongside experienced Buddhist monks for your inner peace.
• Try your hand at archery with a traditional bow and arrow.
• On the way back, 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/home/farm stay. (Altitude 2280m)

• Have breakfast at the hotel, then drive to the airport for your flight to your onward destination. Our representative will assist you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.