Thimphu - Paro - Punakha 7 Days Tour

After breakfast start from hotel for local sightseeing. Today we will visit the following places. Tashichho Dzong – is the Buddhist Monastery & Fortress. This is a historical structure & one of the most beautiful landmarks in Thimphu. It is the present secretariat and the King’s office, as its serves as finance & home affairs ministers’ office too. This is a favorite places for photographers. Folk Heritage Museum – This is a 3 storied museum that showcases Bhutanese culture & their standard of living, rural household artifacts, equipment, objects & tools. Except government holidays the museum is open every day. National Textile Museum – Located in the main town, you can see the evolution of textile industry in Bhutan and also there is on-premise weaving by womenfolk. National Handicraft Emporium – is run by the Bhutan government. It is like a museum cum selling counter
for local artifacts. Next to the emporium there are stalls managed by local Bhutanese people where local artifacts are sold. Motithang Takin Preserve – Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is a unique goat-antelope that can only be found in Bhutan and its immediate surrounding area. The Takin reserve is situated in Motithang area of Thimphu. BBS Tower – This is a viewpoint above the town offering panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) or Sangaygang as it is locally called runs radio &television network of the
entire country. National Memorial Chorten – This is a memorial stupa, also known as Thimphu stupa. This is considered a holy place by the locals . The Chorten is located in the main city itself. Buddha Point, KuenselPhodrang – This is the largest Sitting Buddha statue in the World. It was build as recently as in 2015. The place is just 10 minutes drive from the heart of Thimphu town. Then back to the Hotel. After completing dinner take a sweet sleep with good memories. Overnight Stay in Thimphu.

After breakfast transfer to Punakha via Dochula Pass. Punakha is a valley situated at an altitude of about 1200 meters. The place is famous for the picturesque Punakha Dzong (fort). On the way to Punakha stopover at Dochula Pass which offers clear view of Himalayan mountains. You can also stop over at the Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri. This is the first Botanical park in Bhutan and located about 15 Minutes drive away from DoChula Pass. On arrival at Punakha check into the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Punakha.

In the morning we will take you to the Punakha Dzong, the main attraction of Punakha. The fort is located in a very calm and peaceful surrounding with two rivers Pho chu (Father River) & Mo chu (Mother River) flowing on its two sides. The two rivers meet here to form river Puna Tsang Chu. The same river reaches India with the name of Sankosh. The Punakha Dzong is very famous for its architectural & wooden work. The Suspension Bridge – The longest walking hanging bridge in Bhutan is around 200 meter long. It is built over Pho chu river. The bridge is just 15 minutes drive from the Dzong and is a very attractive place for tourists. But it can easily be missed as it is not visible from the main road. Khamsum Yulley Monastery and Chorten – This is an attractive monastery and a major attracton of Punakha. This Stupa was built by the mother of the queen for her son. Located at a vantage point on the hills, the place offers panoramic view of the surrounding. After sightseeing, transfer to Paro – We will be driving through the same Punakha – Thimphu highway till we reach a place called Semtokha on the outskirts of Thimphu, here we will take the Thimphu Paro highway and reach Paro. Total travel distance is about 130 kms and can be reached in less than 4 hours. Paro is a small town on a beautiful valley. On arrival check into the hotel, note that most resorts are situated not in the main town but on the outskirts. Overnight at Paro.

Today we will visit the sights of interest in and around Paro. Kyichu Lhakhang, is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.
Ta Dzong is the National Museum of Bhutan, situated in Paro. This museum consists of Bhutanese arts; masterpiece of bronze statues & paintings. Next you visit Rinpung Dzong where great annual Tsechu festival is held on eleventh to fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar. It is both a monastery & also houses the district Govt. offices. In the afternoon visit Chele-la pass (37 kms, 1.5 hours one way). At an altitude of 3810 meters, this is one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. The pass seperates Paro valley with Ha valley. Return to Hotel in the evening. Overnight at Paro

Drugyel Dzong – The dzong was build during the 17th century and has been destroyed several times in history. Today it is partly destroyed but still manages to hold a lot of charm for the visitors. The dzong is located about 14 kms from Paro town. Taktsang Monastery – The iconic monastery perched precariously on a mountain, this is one of the most popular pictures representing Bhutan. After the vehicle ride, one has to trek for two to three hours (one way) to reach the monastery. There is also an additional charge for regional tourists to visit the Monastery. You may decide to trek half the way and see the monastery from the café view point area. Pony rides are also available for tourists here. Return to Hotel, evening free. Overnight at Paro.

After breakfast checkout and drive to Airport. Farewell and tour ends.