| Duration: | 5 Days | Trip Code: | |
| Trip Grade | Soft | Max-Altitude: | |
| Meals: | Full Board | Accommodation: | 3-star standard |
| Group size: | Minimum 2 | Transportation: | Private vehicle/flight |
| Trip Start: | Paro | Trip End: | Paro |
| Primary Activity: | Sightseeing | Best Season | Spring and Autum |
The 5 days Bhutan Tour leads you to Bhutan, the country that is rich in the natural and the cultural resources. The country is also known as “the Last Shangri-La”. The tour starts as you reach Paro after a scenic flight from Kathmandu. You will then be travelling to Thimpu the capital city where you will visit some of the famous cultural landscapes of the capital such as Simthoka Dzong, National Library, Traditional Medicine Institute, Heritage Museum, and Handicraft Emporium etc. The tour leads you to Paro where you will be visiting Ta Dzong National Museum, Ringpung Dzong, Drukgyel Dzong, Kichu Lakhang. The suggested itinerary enables you to discover some interesting facts about Bhutan as well as enjoy your holiday to the fullest.
Kindly note that the itinerary below is just the suggested one. We can also customize the trip as per your travel plan and necessities. For more information, you can directly contact us at +977 014256900 or +977 9851223737. You may also write to us at inquiry@theclassicoutdoors.com . If the suggested itinerary is not feasible to you then you can also refer to other programs such as Glimpse of Bhutan- 4 Days or Bhutan Cultural Sightseeing Tour that might be of your interest.
Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Paro and drive to Thimpu
Day 02: Full day Sightseeing tour of Thimpu and drive to Paro in the evening
Day 03: Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro (150 Km, 5 Hours)
Day 04: Sightseeing Tour of Paro
Day 05: Depart Paro
What's Included?
What's not Included?
Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Paro and drive to Thimpu
From Kathmandu, it will take about an hour to reach Paro. The scenic flight allows you to witness amazing scenic views of the Himalayan giants from the comfort of your seats. Upon your arrival at the Paro airport, our Bhutanese representative will greet and escort you for your further journey to Thimpu. It will take around 2 hours’ drive to reach Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan.
Upon arrival at Thimpu, you will be escorted to your hotel.
Day 02: Full day Sightseeing tour of Thimpu and drive to Paro in the evening
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day sightseeing tour of Thimpu.
Tashichhodzong:
Tashichhodzong is a Buddhist monastery situated on the northern edge of Thimpu on the western bank of Wang Chu. The dzong was the site of the lavish formal coronation of the fifth king in 2008 and hosts the colorful Tsechu festivities. The original upper dzong was destroyed by fire three times as well as seriously damaged by an earthquake.
National Library:
The National Library of Bhutan was established in 1967 to preserve ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. It is located in the Kawajangtsa area of Thimpu. The 4 storey building is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. Traditional books and historic manuscripts are kept on the top floor and include texts from the famous Tibetan printing presses of Derge and Narthang. It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, the school of Thankas Painting and the Traditional Medicine Institute, where centuries-old healing art is still practised.
National Institute for Zorig Chusum:
The institute is commonly known as the panting school. The institute teaches the techniques of traditional paintings, sculptures and other forms of traditional arts and one can view the students at work. The showrooms also sell the good value pieces made by the students.
Traditional Medicine Institute:
The Traditional Medicine Institute was established in 1978and it collects medicinal plants from the remote corners of Bhutanese Himalayas. The institute supplies traditional medicines and medical services to the trained doctors. The institute also consists of a library dating back to 1616 AD.
Heritage Museum:
The museum is a three-storied building, the ground floor resembles a barn, the upper floor resembles store and the topmost floor resembles the living and dining area. The museums display various materials related to the Bhutanese culture and way of life. Exhibitions include rural household’s artefacts, equipment, objects and tools. The museum regularly holds events for education and culture demonstrations. It regularly holds buffet lunch and dinner.
Handicrafts Emporium:
This government-run souvenir emporium has fixed prices and takes credit cards. There is a wide range of products under one roof, including traditional boots, bamboo baskets and festival masks. It closes an hour earlier from November to February.
Later in the evening, you will take a two hours’ drive to Punakha Dzong. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 03- Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro (150 Km, 5 Hours )
After breakfast visit to Punakha Dzong,
Punakha Dzong:
It is a17th-century fortress which has played an important role in building up of modern Bhutan as it served as the capital and a seat of government until the 1950’s. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche foretold the construction of Punakha Dzong, predicting that '…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant'. Frequent fires (the latest in 1986) have damaged the dzong, as did the severe 1897 earthquake. In 1994 a glacial lake burst on the Pho Chhu, causing damage to the dzong that has since been repaired.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten:
It stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. It took nine years to build the four-storey temple as per the Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated to the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. It is a 15-20 minutes hike from the suspension bridge. The chorten also offers a beautiful view of Punakha Valley.
After lunch drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong.
Simtokha Dzong:
Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The site was also a vitally strategic location guarding Thimphu valley. The place is officially known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras), it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan. There has been renovation, expansion and restoration of the dzong numerous time and most recently was done by the team of Japanese architects. The attractions of the dzong are the large central figure in the central lhakhang is of Sakyamuni flanked by the eight bodhisattvas, the dark murals inside this Lhakhang are some of the oldest and most beautiful in Bhutan, in the western chapel are the statues of Chenresig, green and white Taras, and an early painting of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal etc.
Upon arrival at Paro, you will be escorted to your hotel.
Day 04 – Sightseeing Tour of Paro
Full-day Sightseeing tour of Paro.
Ta Dzong National Museum:
Ta dzong is a watchtower, built in 1649 to protect the undefended dzong which was renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. The unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell, with 2.5m-thick walls. The Ta dzong suffered damage in the 2011 earthquake but is due to reopen in 2016 as the nation's premier museum.
Ringpung Dzong:
Rinpung Dzong is a large dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress - of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.
Drukgyel Dzong:
Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in a location chosen for its control of the route to Tibet. The dzong was named ‘Druk’ meaning Bhutan and ‘gyel’ meaning victory to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over Tibetan invaders in 1644.
Kichu Lakhang:
Kichu Lakhang is one of the oldest and beautiful temples of Bhutan. The temple was believed to have been built by 659 by the famous Tibetan King Tsrong Tsang Gampo. It carries an important place in the history of Bhutanese art and architecture.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05: Depart Paro
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport to board the flight. Your escort will assists you with departure formalities and bid you farewell.