Bhutan – Happiness to Holiness

Arrive in Paro. Bhutan visa will be arranged and stamped upon arrival. Upon arrival meeting assistance by A Classic Tours Collection representative and driven to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Thimphu, with a population composed mainly of monks, the royal family, and government employees, has a distinctive Bhutanese character. This afternoon visit Zilukha Nunnery; meet with Buddhist nuns to learn about their life and Buddhism. Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, farmers market, where farmer’s around the city brings varieties of vegetables, food items, fruits for the sale. Tashichhodzong is the capitol and palace of King Jigme Khasar Namgyel Wanchuck, newly coronated in 2008. Here, the king and the Je Khenpo (supreme religious leader) rule side-by-side. They are both equally venerated by the Bhutanese. HOTEL (LD)

CITY TOUR: Visit the the School of Arts and Crafts that actively promotes traditional local skills. Nearby, Thimpu-Tshechusthe National Library holds many fascinating ancient sacred text books. Visit the Mini Zooto see the Golden Takins, Bhutan’s national animal. Stop at a traditional paper factory where paper is made from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub. Also visit a silver and goldsmith workshop. Thereafter free time to shop at the Handicrafts Emporium to buy traditional crafts and textiles also wander through Thimphu’s bazaar. HOTEL (BLD)

Tour option: After the breakfast, visit Buddha statue and Semtokha Dzong. Drive to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3100 meters amidst majestic Himalayan Peaks. Stop and take pictures and also visit the nearby Druk Wangyel Monastery which was built in 2005. Enjoy lunch at Dochula Cafeteria.After early breakfast, transfer to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3100 meters amidst majestic Himalayan peaks. It takes about 40 mins drive from Thimphu to Dochula pass. From the Dochula pass the trekkers will walk up hill to the monastery, about 2 hours uphill walk through beautiful rhododendron forest. At top you will find Lungchotse monastery surrounded by high Peak Mountains on all sides. The majestic view of all the ranges of high peaks of Himalaya is breathtaking. Walk back to the Dochula pass for Lunch.

After lunch you will be driven to the Wandgue and Punakha Valley. The drive takes about one and half hour. Option to hike to Chimi Lhakhang (temple) a famous divine mad man’s temple built in 16th Century where you can attend a special prayers ceremony. HOTEL (BLD)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten, about 20mins drive to the base. From base it takes about 45 minutes hike to reach the Chorten. The Chorten offers a beautiful view of Punakha valley. After the visit, more energetic participants have option to walk back along the farms and through the village on side of the river bank of Punakha (takes about 2 hours hike). Other will return by car/bus to Punakha. Enjoy picnic lunch by the river before visiting Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Chief Abbot and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong was damaged by fire in 1986 and has been rebuilt using traditional building techniques that eschew the use of nails. Rest of the day is free to explore the town, market etc. HOTEL (BLD)

After the breakfast, embark on a 2 hours drive along the bank of the river Dangchu to Phobjikha valley. flagsThe altitude of the valley is about 2900 meters and is well known for bird watching including endangered black necked cranes. It is a beautiful glaciated valley. Also visit the Gangtey monastery. Option to do the nature trail hike which takes about one and half hour or visit the Crane information center, meet with the locals, visit their homes, cattle farms etc. You will experience the authentic Bhutanese traditional style of living in this valley. Return back to Punakha in the evening. HOTEL (BLD)

After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Thimphu arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon visit botanical garden in Wangchutaba and hike to the hanging bridge of Tachogang temple. Continue to Paro, where you will encounter picturesque houses, built in traditional style and painted with colored designs lining the main streets. The bustling main street hosts no traffic lights, as is the case throughout this startling land. Check into our hotel for time to relax or walk in the market before dinner. HOTEL (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Choose from one of the following sightseeing option:

HIKE TO TAKSTANG MONASTERY

The trip involves walking on narrow mountain trails and some steep climb. After breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten to begin hiking to Taktsang Monastery’s viewpoint. The terrain to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests. Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”, built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The 8th century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop and clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock at 9678 feet above the valley floor.Stop at local villages on the way. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house

CITY TOUR:

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659, Satsam Chorten and Rinpung Dzong also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong an ancient monastic and administrative complex/fortress, from the ramparts of which the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, you will be overawed by the sight of the 24,000 feet white-domed peak of the sacred Mt Jhomolhari that looms overhead. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house. HOTEL (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to airport for your international flight. (Breakfast)