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Western Bhutan Cultural Tour (6 Days 5 Nights)

Rinpung Dzong at Paro

Day 1:  Arrive Paro.  Drive to Thimphu.
Our representative will receive you at the airport and then transfer to a restaurant for lunch. Paro is at altitude 7000 feet. Paro is a beautiful valley home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples.  The country’s only airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. After lunch visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong and drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan.  Overnight at Hotel Phuntshopelri or similar.

Day 2 : Thimphu sightseeing

Tashichho Dzong

After breakfast visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan, Visit the Art School, and Visit to the Changangkha Temple which is built in 14th century by a Tibetan saint who came to Bhutan.  After lunch visit to the Mini Zoo to see the National Animal ‘Takin’, and Tashichhodzong known as the Fortress of the glorious religion.  It houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building and the central monk body.  Its courtyard is open to visitors during th eThimphu Festival and when the monk body moves to its winter residence in Punakha.

Visit : Semtokha Dzong: Five miles form Thimphu on a lofty ridge stands Semtokha Dozng the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.  It now houses the Insitute for language and culture.  Overnight at hotel.

Druk Wangyel Chortens at Dochula Pass

Day 3 : Thimphu – Punakha
On the way to Punakha is the Dochula pass from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen, specially on clear winter days.  The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chortens, a 108 stupas built for well being of all sentient beings by the eldest queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

Punakha Dzong

Punakha is at altitude of 4420 feet and it served as the capital of Bhutan till 1955.  It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief abbot) and the monk body.  It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers.

A visit to Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637.  It stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers.  Overnight at Punatsangchu hotel.

Chimi Lhakhang

Day 4 : Punakha to Paro
Today drive to Paro en routing to Dochula pass. Visit Chimi Lhakhang temple of the Lama Drukpa Kuenley.  Lunch at Docula pass or Thimphu town and drive on to Paro. Visit the oldest temple Kyichu Temple. Overnight at Hotel Olathang or Dhekyid resort.

Day 5:  Paro

Tiger's Nest - Taktsang Monastery

Today after early breakfast hike up to Paro Taktsang the famous Tiger’s Nest.  This is perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900 m above the Paro valley.  The hike up to the monastery takes about 3-4 hours.  It is believed Guru Padmasambhava the 2nd Buddha flew on this site on a Tigress back and meditated for few months and brought Buddhism to Bhutan.  Drive to Drukgyel Dzong the victory fortress.  Jumolhari mountain peak can be viewed from here.   Visit to a farm house and evening at leisure.  Farewell dinner and culture program.

Day 6: Departure.

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Testimonials

Dear Ms Karma Wangmo

We would like to thank you and your team members for arranging and delivering excellent services to us, not only at professional standards, but also on personal level, for our 18-day travel through Bhutan from the northern part (Paro) till the eastern part (Trashigang).

During this long journey, we were put in the best available hotels and accommodations that had made us feel relaxed after a day’s program. Most of the places we visited were beautiful and in harmony with nature that enriched our appreciation toward life and the nature . The travel guide and driver provided to us were so professional, caring and friendly that we found that we have got two more friends. It is also our special thank you to you for your responsible and wise decision in carrying us from Trashigang to Bumthang by car through the mid-night on 18 April 2012 when the flight from Trashigang to Paro was cancelled while you on the other hand chartered a flight for our group for departure from Bumthang to Paro in the morning of 19 April 1012. Because of your right decision, not only that we had not missed our journey that followed on 19 April 2012, we had gained the splendid view of the Himalayas when we flown on the chartered flight.

What we should not missed out to thank you, of course, is your great effort in connecting us with your Indian partner that had made our 6-day travel in Darjeeling and Kurseong a very special and memorable one.

Last but not the least, the long trip was tiring, but we are physically relaxed and spiritually raised. Great views and good memories would be in our mind forever.

While we would like to recommend more friends to plan their travels to Bhutan and India through your company, we would be back again ourselves in the near future.

Keep up with your good job and let us keep in touch.

Your friends,
~Sandra & Thomas, Hong Kong (May 2012)