Mysterious Places

Duration: 9Days/8 Nights

Price: USD 2290

Day 1

Be totally enchanted by the breathtaking landscape and pristine environment of the Paro valley upon arrival at our international airport. You will be warmly received by our friendly, traditionally dressed representative with the offering of a white welcome scarf.

1. Transfer to hotel in Thimphu (about 1.5-hour drive from airport).
2. Arrival at hotel in Thimphu, relax with welcome tea followed by check-in at the hotel.
3. Rest till lunch in hotel / nearby restaurant.
4. After lunch, take a 10-min drive to Changangkha Temple (built in the 15th century by famous Lama Nima). Inside the temple is “God of Compassion” made of platinum. You may witness blessing of a newborn baby in this temple.
5. Drive to Mini Zoo, Bhutan’s only zoo to see Bhutan’s national animal – takin.
6. Drive to Sangay Gang hilltop to get a fascinating bird’s eye view of Thimphu city.
7. Visit a nunnery founded
8. Visit Zorichusum Institute which is popularly known as the painting school. Students in this school learn traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving and embroidery.
9. Visit the National Library, which consists of 2 buildings. On the ground floor of the old building is the largest book in the world and religious books on the upper floor. English books are maintained on the ground floor in the new building.
10. Drive to Tashicho Dzong, a fortress built in 1772 by the temporal ruler Zhidar and Younten Thaye, the Chief Abbot.
11. Spend the night at a hotel in

Day 2

1. Eat breakfast at the hotel and drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan (about 3-hour drive)
2. Spend some time on the way at the enchanting Docula pass (3,040m above the sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas Mountains ranges from this pass.
3. Arrive at Punakha Valley (1,300m above sea level)Visit Punakha Dzong, which played an important role in the past. It was Bhutan’s second monastery school after the Cheri Monastery. The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It serves as the winter residence to the Chief Abbot and the Monk Body.
4. Hike to Chimi Lhakhang through a nice walk along the rice field and through farm houses. The temple was built by Lama Nawang Chogyel in 1499 and is today a popular temple where barren women come to pray for a child. The temple is popularly known as the Fertility Temple.
5. – Spend the night in Punakha.

Day 3

1. Drive to Trongsa, about 6 to 7 hours’ drive.
2. Spend some time at the Chendebji Chorten, and walk around the giant Stupa, built by the Uncle of first king of Bhutan around 200 years ago.
3. In the afternoon, visit the Trongsa National Museum, which is located inside the old Watch Tower. The tower was converted into a museum in 2008.
4. Spend the night at Trongsa.

Day 4

1. After breakfast, visit the Trongsa Dzong, which is Bhutan’s largest Dzong. The site was founded in the 16th Century by Lama Ngagi Wangchuk, but was enlarged in 1652 by first Governor of Trongsa, Chogay Minjur Tempa.
2. Drive to Bumthang

Day 5

1. Start the day visiting the Jampa Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
2. Walk about 20 minutes to Kurji Lhakhang, the place where Guru Rimpoche meditated for 3 months to subdue the local deity who has taken the life force of the King Sindu Raji. You can see the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche in this temple.
3. Walk half an hour to the 3^rd temple Tamshing Lhakhang founded by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple contains original wall painting from 1501. Visit Wangdicholing Dzong built by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal, the father of the First King of Bhutan in 1851. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture in the country.
4. Visit Jakar Dzong, founded in 1649 by great grandfather of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal
5. Spend the night in Bumthang.

Day 6

1. Drive back to Wangdi, crossing two high passes – Yotongla and Pelela.

Day 7

1. Drive back to Paro, taking the same road over the Dochula Pass.
2. Visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built in 1649 by the Paro Governor Tenzin Drugda to protect the fortress below. The Ta Dzong was almost destroyed in 1965, but was restored by the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968. It is a 7-storey building in the shape of a conch and has walls of 2.5m thickness.
3. Visit Paro Dzong, which was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Rimpoche to protect people and the valley from frequent attacks by Tibetan invaders. Today this Dzong serves as the administrative office of Paro district and houses 110 monks.

Day 8

1. Hike to the Tiger Nest Monastery, the holiest monastery in the Buddhist World.

Day 9

1. Departure