Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Arrive Kathmandu

   • Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, our representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. After reaching the hotel, a short representative will brief you about further programs.

2. Day 2 - Fly Paro, Bhutan

   • Fly into Paro by Druk Air/Bhutan Airline. After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative, your tour guide, throughout your tour.
   • Drive to Thimphu. On arrival at Thimphu, check into your hotel, and after refreshments, you will visit the following:
     • Kuensel Phodrang and visit the tallest Buddha statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
     • Craft Bazaar is a one-stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan-made art and craft products. The Bazaar, with its 80 stalls, covers all aspects of Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts. At this Bazaar, craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.
     • Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School- The institute offers a six-year course on Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts. One can see students learning the various skills taught at the school on a visit.
     • Textile Museum: The Royal Textile Museum Bhutan, or Royal Textile Academy, is a national textile museum. It is located very near to Taj Tashi Hotel and Authentic Handicraft shops. It was established in the year 2001. It has a huge collection of antique textile artifacts. Weaving in Bhutan is the culture and tradition. RTA the aim is to preserve and promote this living art of Bhutan to international and domestic markets.
     • Weekend Market (every Saturday and Sunday)- Most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. It is an exciting place to visit and provides an opportunity to mingle with the locals.
     • National Sport of Bhutan (Archery): One of the best places to witness a game of traditional and modern archery. Which is a national sport of Bhutan? If you want to take some good pictures of an archery match, this is one of the best places to be. Almost all the time, there is a tournament being played.

   Overnight at Thimphu. 

3. Day 3 - Thimphu-Punakha (Distance: 71 km, estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours)

   • After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass 3140 m). You can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges in the clear spring sky. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well-being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
   • Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery), which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the critical events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.
   • Travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most meaningful events in Bhutanese history. It deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically significant and stands as the symbol of a unified Bhutan. 
   • On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
   • Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region.  At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. 
   • Walk across the suspension bridge (about 200m long) through a fresh breeze and a fascinating view of Dzong.

   Overnight at Punakha.

4. Day 4 - Punakha-Paro (Distance: 135 km, estimated driving time: 4 hr)

   • After breakfast, travel to Paro. On the way, visit the following:
     • Tamchog Lhakhang Bridge: Located on the other side of the river of the Thimphu - Paro highway, one needs to cross an iron chain suspension bridge to get to the Lhakhang.
       • About a 30-minute drive from Paro towards Thimphu City, Tamchog Lhakhang sits across the Paro River. An iron chain suspension bridge approaches the Lhakhang. The Lhakhang and the bridge were constructed by a 13th-century Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo. The Buddhist saint was also a blacksmith and an architect. Of the many iron chain bridges built, there are only a few left which are still used. Crossing this old bridge can be a thrilling experience for tourists. Some of the original iron chain links used to build this bridge are displayed in the National Museum in Paro. 
     • Paro Airport Bird Eye View: Paro international airport is the only international airport in Bhutan where you can teach Bhutan via air. It’s a small airport with a single runaway and no or very little international traffic. However, it’s considered one of the most dangerous airports for landing and also the most beautiful airport in terms of landscape and architecture. 
   • Hotel Check-in and later visit the national museum.
     • National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide an excellent introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
   • Stroll through the Paro town in the evening and visit local handicraft stores.

   Overnight at Paro. 

5. Day 5 - Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

   • After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
   • Walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs, depending on your fitness and from the viewpoint and you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. 
   • Stop for refreshments at the View Point Cafeteria. 
   • Walk further up to the monastery, which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave there for 3 months—the principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way, stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive to Drukgyel Dzong (fortress), situated on a ridge in the upper Paro valley, a 30-minute drive north of Paro town. Drugyel Dzong also means “Fortress Of Victorious Drukpas”, built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong had served as an essential base for defence in the region until 1951, when it was destroyed by fire. The ruins of the Dzong continued to be protected as an essential monument linking the people of Bhutan with the significant events that contributed to maintaining the country's sovereignty. Drukgyel Dzong was served solely for defensive purposes without administrative and religious functions, especially against external threats from the border. The existing ruins of the Dzong are comparatively well preserved. One can, without much difficulty, understand or distinguish features of the complex. Although most of the timber components of the Dzong, such as roof truss, door and window frames, and floors and ceilings, are almost absent, major portion of the stone and rammed earth wall structures are still standing. They provide visitors with an understanding of ideas and practices for defence in the olden times. The reconstruction of the fortress began in April 2016 after the command of His Majesty the King to celebrate the birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey to commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1616 AD, the birth year of Guru Rinpoche. The restoration work is estimated to be completed soon.

   Overnight at Paro. 

6. Day 6 - Fly Kathmandu

   • After breakfast, we will drive to Paro Airport for the departure. After reaching Kathmandu airport, your guide will take Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhnath Stupa. 

   Overnight Stay in Kathmandu.

7. Day 7 - Fly to Bharatpur and Drive to Green Park and Jungle Activities

   • Fly to Bharatpur and drive to Chitwan National Park, the jewel of Nepal's wildlife parks since its inception in 1973. The main highlights of our wildlife activities are jeep rides to see the rare one-horned rhino, sloth bear, four species of deer, a dazzling array of tropical birds, and perhaps a leopard or tiger. Rhinos and deer are frequently sighted, but the chances of seeing a leopard or tiger are remote. The birdlife is fantastic-some 530 species have been sighted within the park. 
   • Seek out the fauna via jeep and on foot and take wooden boat rides into the watery realm of the threatened Gharial crocodile, mugger crocodile, and numerous waterfowl. In addition, we'll observe the elephant in their natural habitat.

8. Day 8 - Jungle Safari

   • Today we will do a jungle safari in the national park. 

9. Day 9 - Fly to Kathmandu for City Tour: Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa

   • After breakfast, we will move to the airport and fly to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, your guide will take you on the Kathmandu city tour. 

10. Day 10 - Departure

    • After taking breakfast, we will drive to the airport according to your flight schedule.