Bhutan Cultural Sightseeing Tour

• Visit to some of the famous cultural landmarks of the country.
• A chance to overview the lifestyle of the local people living in the area.
• An opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the country through the art and architecture.
• A chance to experience the outstanding hospitality by the people.
• Visit to the dzongs i.e. forts that are of the historical importance
• Visit to the Tiger Nest Monastery 

Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air
Day 02: Sightseeing tour of Thimphu 
Day 03: Thimphu/ Punakha (75 Km, 3 Hours)
Day 04: Punakha - Paro (125 Km, 4 Hours)
Day 05: Sightseeing tour of Paro
Day 06: Depart Paro
 

Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air
Druk Air flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport, received by our representative and then transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.

Day 02: Thimphu 
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 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 are still practiced.
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 sells the good value pieces made by the students.

Handicrafts Emporium:
This government-run souvenir emporium has fixed prices and takes credit cards. There are 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. 

Memorial Stupa:
The Memorial stupa also known as Thimpu Chorten is located in Doeboom Lam near the main roundabout and Indian military Hospital. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells.

Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.

Day 03: Thimphu/ Punakha (75 Km, 3 Hours)
After breakfast drive to Punakha with a short stop at Dochula pass and other sightseeing places enroute.
Dochula Pass:
It is a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas on the way to Punakha from Thimpu. There are 108 memorial chortens known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Punakha Dzong:
It is a17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan as it served as the capital and a seat of government until 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.

Wangdue Phodrang:
It is a town and a capital of Wangdue Phordang district of central Bhutan.The name is said to have been given by Ngawang Namgyal, the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, who was searching for the best location for a dzong to prevent incursions from the south. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Punakha - Paro (125 Km, 4 Hours)
After breakfast 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.

Afternoon in Paro visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. 

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. It holds the fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. 
Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. 

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. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 05: Paro
After breakfast drive north of Paro valley to ruins of Drukgyel Dozng.

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.
Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery:

Taktsang Monastery:
Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (5 hrs walk). Tiger nest monastery is the famous Buddhist monastery of Bhutan located in the Cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. The temple complex was built in 1962 around Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. It is believed that Padmasambhava flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong.
While return to Paro town visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang,

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 06: 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