The Way to the last Shangri-La
Days: 7
Activities: Hiking, walking and sightseeing.
Seasons: All
Places covered: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdi
Overview of the tour
This tour option is sort of culture cum Himalayan driving tour. Unlike the other short tours you
will have the chance to pierce further east of the capital i.e Punakha and Wangdi. You will be
driven through Dochula pass where you will have the cosmic view of eastern Himalayan range.
Besides culture experience you could see dzongs, chortens, rich agricultural fields, temples,
monasteries and landscapes of Bhutan. Glimpse of Bhutan will make you to trip four places of
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdi.
Day 01 Bkk/Ktm to Paro
The very first day, flight to Paro Airport will bring you the most stunning view of the Himalayan
Mountains which ranges from Nepal towards Bhutan. When the clock needs about twenty five
minutes to enter the land of thunder dragon (Bhutan) you will be able to view the world highest
peak, Mt Everest and then other mountains like Mt Kanchenjunga, Mt. Makalu. As you approach
quite near to Bhutan you will be greeted by mighty peaks of Bhutan like Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt.
Tsrim Gang etc. proudly standing amongst the world’s highest known Himalayan peaks. Finally
then, you will reach Paro Airport in 3 hrs (from Bangkok) else 2 hrs (from Kathmandu). Now
you are stepping out from the Druk air into fresh and silent atmosphere of Paro, the characteristic
of the last Shangri-La. The representative from Druk Dealay Tours and Travels will be waiting
for you at the exit who will guide you throughout your stay in Bhutan. If your flight is early you
will be served lunch at one of the lodge in Paro. Afternoon stay at your own leisure. In the
evening, take a stroll around Paro market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro
Day 02 Paro sightseeing
Early in the morning you will have delicious breakfast and then straight away start for
experiencing a small hike of 3 hrs to the Takshang monastery (The tiger’s nest). A small history
will help you understand further and appreciate the monastery.
As believed by the Bhutanese, Guru Padmasambhava flew here on a tiger’s back in 8th century
and meditated for three months. Later in 1684 this monastery was built. When you finish your
climb you will reach a cafe where you will get a very good view of the monastery. There you
will be served special fruits along with the pack lunch. For some tourists who want to get a very
close view of the monastery, they can further climb for about 45 minutes and enjoy the 50 meter
close view of the Tiger’s Nest.
You can ask your guide to give you a detailed explanation. Later, when you reach back then the
first sightseeing will be to visit the Drukgyel Dzong (fotress) which is 10 kms further. This
dzong was built in 1684 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel to celebrate the victory over the
Tibetans. At present too you can view this dzong in ruins since it was burned down accidentally
by a candle fire in 1874.
Move back to your hotel for a cup of tea. After that you can visit National Museum at Paro.
Inside the museum you will find many antique Thankas, different kinds of textiles, a small
temple of life, different statues, etc. After this you can drive to Rimpung Dzong or the Paro
dzong which was built in the 17th century. This dzong is now the administration center and
school for the monks. In the evening you can take a short walk in the town. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 03 Paro to Thimphu
You can have an easy start from Paro since Thimphu (2300m) is just 2 hrs drive. On the way you
will see a monastery called Tachogang lhakhang. You can ask your guide for some explanation.
After a drive of half hour you will reach a place called Chuzom which means the meeting of two
rivers. The Thimphu River and Paro River meet here at a confluence of three different kinds of
monastery that you will see in the country. There will be a road junction from whom one goes to
the south which leads to Phuentsholing in the southern part of Bhutan and the other to the capital.
Before reaching Thimphu you will see a dzong on the small hump called Simtokha dzong.
Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel built this dzong, which is in fact the oldest dzong in Bhutan. It was
built in 1627 and at present it is being used as a school for the monks. You will reach Thimphu
after 15 minutes from this Dzong and then you can either check in your hotel first or start with
your sightseeing after lunch. The first thing you will visit is the Memorial Chorten which was
built in memory of the third king in 1974.You can further go inside the Chorten and enjoy the
most exotic statues of gods. You can then visit the indigenous hospital, the School of Arts &
Crafts to see the live paintings by the students. Then you can visit Tashichhodzong to have
external view. This massive structure is the seat of the Royal Government and central monastic
body. After this you can go back to your hotel for some tea and refreshment. Then you can
further continue your sightseeing by going to the Post office, Paper factory, a small weaving
practice center, Changangkha monastery, Zangto Pelhri monastery and Zilukha nunnery. In the
evening you can drive to the viewpoint from which you can view the whole Thimphu city. On
the way you can also stop and visit a small zoo to see the National animal of Bhutan, the Takin.
Later you can go for a walk on your own in the town. Overnight at hotel.
If you are in Thimphu during the weekends then you can visit the Subji Bazaar i.e the vegetable
market where you will witness lot of people in their own style of selling and buying vegetables.
Day 04 Thimphu to Punakha
On this day we will drive to Punakha, the winter capital, which is 4 hours drive from Thimphu.
On the way you will stop at Dochula Pass which is at 3150 meters. There is a café above the pass
where you can enjoy some hot tea & snacks. From there you will experience a cosmic view of
mighty peaks and the great valley that lie down. You will then drive down further through
temperate forests into semitropical range of orange and cactuses. Before you reach a junction
you will see Chime Lhakang built by a famous divine mad monk, Drukpa Kinley. This
monastery is a famous pilgrim site for sterile women who wish to bear children. As you drive
further you will pass Khuruthang where new administrative town of Punakha is located. When
you reach near the dzong you will see Punakha dzong built on the confluence of Phochu (Male
River) and Mochu (Female River). This Dzong is the winter capital since 300 years ago; today it
is the winter residence of the Je- khenpho the chief abbot and also serves as the administration
center of the Punakha district. You can go for your lunch at one of the hotel in Punakha or eat
packed lunch on your way. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 Punakha to Wangdiphodrang /back to Thimphu
After your breakfast you can then proceed to Wangdiphodrang. On your way you will see a
different kind of village called Richengang village. Here you will see the houses are built very
close together. You can visit Wangdiphodrang dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang
Namgyel on a sharp ridge looking like elephant. After a satisfying view over the dzong you can
have your lunch in Wangdi town. You can then turn back the same road to Thimphu. Overnight
Thimphu hotel.
Day 6 Thimphu to Paro
On your last day in Thimphu you can visit some places like The Royal Academy of
Performaning Arts where the national folk and Bhutanese dances are practiced. You can then
visit the Handicraft in the town for some shopping. After lunch you can proceed to Paro. When
you reach Paro you can visit some places like the Kyichu lhakhang and the Dungtse lhakhang.
You should take an early day off since your flight may be early in the morning. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 7 Paro Airport
Drive to the airport for your flight to BKK/KTM/DEL. Thank you! And safe journey!
Note: you can customize the itinerary as per your choice.