6-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Tiger's Nest and Punakha

• Arrive in Paro. After immigration and Bhutan visa formalities, you will be received by our tour guide, who will be with you throughout your Bhutan tour.
• Travel to Thimphu, which will take you through Chunzom (confluence of the Pachu river flowing through the Paro valley & Wangchu and the river flowing through Thimphu valley). 
• On the way, enjoy walking over a suspension bridge to view a 15th-century iron chain bridge suspended over the Pachu.
• After crossing Chunzom, the drive will take you along the Wangchu upto Thimphu city.
• On arrival at Thimphu, check into your Thimphu hotel. 

After lunch, visit the following:

• Tashichho Dzong: “The fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch’s throne room and the seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Yet another place for the photographer’s delight.
• Takin Preserve: This preserve houses the national animal, the Takin, that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds at very high altitudes (13,125ft and over), they live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds. Here, Takins are preserved in the natural environment.
• Archery Match (National Sport of Bhutan) at Changlimithang National Stadium: Normally you will spot Bhutanese men playing archery game during weekends or public holidays. Good opportunity to interact with local people.
• Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Wed-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling centenary farmers’ market, where farmers from neighboring areas come to sell their farm produce. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.

Dinner at a restaurant in Thimphu town or at your Thimphu hotel as per your preference.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, visit the following:

• Buddha Point /Kuenselphodrang: This massive Buddha statue is 51.5 meters in height and it is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D. that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (religious treasure discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.
• The National Memorial Chorten (stupa): It was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘chorten’ literally means ‘ seat of faith’, and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings and mornings, at the National Memorial Chorten.
• Then, travel to Punakha via Dochula Pass. Driving for about 35 minutes, you will reach Dochula Pass (3,088m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. 
• After a refreshment at Dochula Pass Cafeteria, you will visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan).
• After lunch at Lobesa village walk through paddy fields for about 20 minutes to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
• In the late afternoon, walk over the traditional cantilever bridge to visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho–Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).
• Then, walk for about 15 minutes to one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, spanning 350 m and perched high above the very swift Pho chu (male river). Draped with prayer flags ,the bridge connects the town of Punakha and Punakha Dzong.This bridge is mainly used by locals from the village located on the other side of the river as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.

Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Punakha.

• After breakfast, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of the Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there. This scenic place gives you a good opportunity for photography.
• From here, travel for about 20 minutes through upper Punakha Valley and take a leisure walk passing through suspension bridge and through the paddy fields to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Lhakhang. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there. It provides good opportunity for photography.
• After lunch, travel to Thimphu through Dochula Pass.

At Thimphu, visit the following: 

• The School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts: Here, students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. It is the best place for visitors to learn about traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
• National Textile Museum: It is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
• Bhutan Postal Museum (recently launched): The museum tells the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. And also you can get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends.
• Craft Bazaar: 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 the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar, craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.
• In the evening you can explore Thimphu town.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, travel to Paro and visit the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here is an intriguing collection of artefacts which provide you with a wonderful insight into the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
• From the National Museum, take a short 2km hike, with approximately 1 hour 30 minutes hiking duration, through the ancient walking trail through lush green forests along the hillside, crossing a narrow bridge over a small stream to Zuri Dzong (Fort). Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. 
• On the way to the walk to Zuri Dzong, pass Gonsaka Lhakhang which provides wonderful bird's-eye view of the entire Paro valley and Paro Rinpung Dzong below. From here, take a gentle hike down to Uma Resort where your car will pick you up.
• After lunch, drive for about 20 minutes through Woochu village to visit Dzongdrakha Goempa, often called the mini-Taktsang. Dzongdrakha temples are built on the cliffs above Bondey village. 
• Take a short walk to the temple for about 15 minutes. Legend says one of the temples is built around a levitating monument. Folks built a stronger temple around this monument with the hope that the levitating monument would not fly away into the sky.
• Then, drive back to Paro town, where you will have refreshments before walking through the Rinpung Bridge (the oldest traditional Cantilever Bridge) to visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. 
• Then, walk back down to Rimpung Bridge in Bhutan.

Dinner and stay overnight a hotel in Paro.

• After breakfast, drive for about 20 minutes to the base of Taktsang Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. 
• The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1–1 ½ hrs, depending on your fitness. From the viewpoint, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshments at the View Point Cafeteria. Take photos with great view of Taktsang behind you. 
• Then, walk further up to the monastery, which will take about 1 hour. 
• After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road. On the way, stop for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point.
• Then, visit a farmhouse in Paro Valley which will offer a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.
• In the evening, relax in the traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath at a farmhouse in Paro Valley. You will also see around inside of the traditional Bhutanese house. You will also enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro.

• After breakfast, drive to the Paro International Airport and your tour guide from our company will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your next destination.