Bhutan – Land of Thunder Dragon

Your Tour of Bhutan begins:

DAY 1 (SUN) – ARRIVE PARO / THIMPHU

Upon arrival in Paro, your ACTC representative will meet you and you’ll be driven to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. With a population composed mainly of monks, the royal family and government employees, Thimpu has a distinctive Bhutanese character. You’ll have free time to wander through the bazaar, and explore shops and cafes to experience Bhutanese life and culture. HOTEL (L, D)

DAY 2 (MON) – THIMPHU TOUR

Enjoy a full morning touring the city. Visit: The School of Arts and Crafts that promotes traditional local skills; the National Library to learn about its ancient sacred text books; and the Mini Zoo to see the Golden Takins, Bhutan’s national animal. Stop at a traditional paper factory where paper is made from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub, and visit a silver and goldsmith workshop. This afternoon, visit Zilukha Nunnery where you’ll meet with Buddhist nuns to learn about their life and Buddhism. Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum in Tashichhodzong. This 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 (B, L, D)

DAY 3 (TUE) – THIMPHU / PUNAKHA

After breakfast, you have a choice of either a tour or trek today:

• Tour option:  Visit the Buddha statue and Semtokha Dzong. Drive to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3,100 meters amidst majestic Himalayan Peaks for a spectacular photo stop before visiting the nearby Druk Wangyel Monastery, built in 2005. Enjoy lunch at Dochula Cafeteria.
• Trek option:

Spend a half-day trekking to Lungchotse (3,500 meters). Take a 40-minute drive to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3,100 meters amidst the majestic Himalayan peaks. From the pass, you’ll walk about two hours uphill through the beautiful rhododendron forest to the Lungchotse Monastery. At the top, you’ll be swept away by the majestic views of the many high peaks of the Himalayas. After walking back to the Dochula pass for lunch, you’ll be driven to the Wandgue and Punakha Valley, about 90 minutes. Here you can choose to hike to Chimi Lhakhang (temple) a famous divine mad man’s temple built in the 16^th century where you can attend a special prayer ceremony.

HOTEL (B, L, D)

DAY 4 (WED) – PUNAKHA

After breakfast, you’ll take a short drive to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten. From the base, hike about 45 minutes to reach the Chorten for a beautiful view of Punakha valley. After the visit, more energetic participants have the option for a two-hour walk back along the farms and through the village on the Punakha side of the river bank. Others will return by car/bus to Punakha. Enjoy a 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. The rest of your day is free to explore the town and market as you please. HOTEL (B, L, D)

DAY 5 (THU) – PUNAKHA / Day excursion to Phobjikha Valley

Begin your day with a two-hour drive along the banks of the Dangchu River to Phobjikha Valley, at an altitude of about 2,900 meters. The glaciated valley is well known for birdwatching, including endangered black-necked cranes. Visit the Gangtey monastery. Here, you can take a hike along the nature trail, about one-and-a-half hours, or visit the crane information center, meet with the locals, visit their homes and cattle farms. You will definitely experience the authentic Bhutanese traditional style here. Return to Punakha in the evening. HOTEL (B, L, D)

DAY 6 (FRI) – WANGDUE / THIMPHU / PARO

After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Thimphu in time for lunch. Visit the botanical gardens 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 has no traffic lights, as is the case throughout this startling?? land. Check into your hotel; relax or explore the market before dinner. HOTEL (B, L, D)

DAY 7 (SAT) – PARO

Choose from one of the following sightseeing options after breakfast:

• Hike to Taktsang: The trip involves walking on narrow mountain trails and some steep climbs. You’ll be driven to Satsam Chorten to hike through beautiful pine forests to the Taktsang Monastery’s viewpoint. Taktsang, which means “Tiger’s Nest,” is built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The 8^th century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop, 9,678 feet above the valley floor. You’ll visit local villages on the way.  In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia exhibiting an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles and weapons. Later, walk through the market and visit 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; Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels; and the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong, an ancient monastic and administrative complex/fortress, where the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, you’ll be awestruck by the sight of the 24,000-foot-high white-domed peak of the sacred Mount Jhomolhari. This afternoon, visit the outstanding Ta Dzong National Museum, whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles and weapons. Later, walk through the market and visit a typical Bhutanese farm house. HOTEL (B, L, D)

DAY 8 (SUN) – DEPART PARO

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to airport for your international flight. (B)

LAND TOUR PRICE: 2017-2018