Majestic Bhutan: A Seven Day Luxury Bhutan Tour

After breakfast, you will drive to visit the oldest monastery in Bhutan. Built-in the 16th century, Pangri Zampa is now a monastic school where Buddhist student monks learn Lamaism and astrology based on Buddhist philosophy.
You will continue your sightseeing in Thimphu valley with a visit to the Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum, offering an excellent display of ancient Bhutanese architecture which is slowly being lost to modernization. Another highlight is a visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum. Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan where you can see students learning the various skills.
After lunch in one of Thimphu’s local eateries, you will continue your drive to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) – home to the largest statue of Buddha in the country and offering breathtaking views of the Thimphu Valley. Later you will visit Tashichho Dzong: “Fortress of the Glorious Religion”. This is the center of government and religion, and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king. Built-in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner – without nails or architectural plans.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included

After an early breakfast enjoy a dramatic drive (approx. 5 hours including scenic stops) over the high mountain pass of Dochu La (3,080m) to Punakha passing through dense forests of oak and rhododendron trees.
The journey continues over the 3,080m mountain pass where on a clear day, the towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible. The highway follows the scenic Dang Chhu before climbing through forests where you will stop briefly at Dochula Pass to take in the grand vista of eastern Himalayan Range.
On arrival in Punakha, you will have time to rest before visiting Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Serving as the religious and administrative center of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history.
Following this, you will visit the nearby Rinchengang Village, one of the oldest villages in Bhutan. Here you will experience traditional architecture and delightful local people in a remote corner of sleepy Punakha Valley, where an ancient way of life has remained unchanged for generations. The majority of the population of Bhutan continues to live as it has for centuries – in small isolated farms and hamlets, surrounded by terraced fields of rice, maize, and buckwheat.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included

Early morning, take a short hike up through fields of chilies and cabbages to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu River and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
After lunch, embark on an excursion to the village of Talo – located just above Punakha Valley. Built on a plateau with majestic views across the valley, this charming village showcases beautiful farmhouses where flowers, corn and sweet peas are grown in abundance.
Following this you will visit the Nalanda Buddhist College - locals call this place ‘Dalayna’ while the monks refer it as ‘Nalanda Buddhist College’. Spend the afternoon enjoying buttered tea adorned by a spectacular view and interactions with local monks.
You will also take a short drive to the hilltop overlooking the vast paddy fields and vibrant orchards, to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (Temple) which houses a 14-foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig Chagtong chentong) as well as other examples of statues made entirely by local Bhutanese artisans.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a walking excursion to Chimi Lakhang. Situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, it is also known as the temple of fertility where locals travel to pray to be blessed with children.
Afterward drive (approx. 5 hours) back to Paro, descending back down from Dochula, and following the road back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys. En route, you will visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, which now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.
Upon arrival at Paro, check into the hotel. The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and centuries of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries.
After some time to rest, you will visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Following this you will take a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, directly translating to “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”, which has a long and fascinating history. Along with the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as the old man of long life and scenes from the life of Milarepa.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you will travel to Satsam Chorten, stopping en route at the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
On arrival at the trail-head point, embark on a walking excursion to Taktshang Monastery – one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place, visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Enjoy lunch at the base of Tiger’s Nest before returning to the hotel for a well-earned rest.
Note: Due to its location, the only way to get to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is by hiking. There are no vehicles that make the drive up to the monastery. On average it takes between four and five hours to do the round-trip hike, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner Included

After a few days of fun and excitement, the day to bid farewell has arrived. Our representatives will escort you to the Paro International Airport as per your flight time.
After the wonderful opportunity to organize this tour for you we wish you a safe and happy journey ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast included