In & Around -Explore Paro, Haa & Thimphu

This tour is in and around the Paro Valley, Haa and Thimphu. So you have more time to better explore the Par, Haa and Thimphu Valleys.

DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO

While flying to Paro, the traveller will experience wonderful and incredible view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by representative from Benji Bhutan Tours & Travels.

• Lunch at the Hotel.
• Discuss the Tour Program with the Tour Guide.
• Afternoon sightseeing.
• Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

DAY 02 PARO – SIGHT SEEING

• Morning visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 kilometres away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin but this Dzong has its great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them back. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Its altitude is 7,329m.Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple). Which was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet as one of the 108 such monasteries he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest places in the country, as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.
• After Lunch visit National Museum “Ta Dzong”which used to be a watch tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). It was converted into Museum in 1968.
• Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD, and walk down to town one the way you can see the traditional wooden bridge of ancient style.
• Sightseeing trip to the Paro town and the villages.
• Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

DAY 03 PARO – A DAY EXPEDITION TO TAKTSANG

• Drive about 15 Kms to  Satsam Chorten which is the base of the Hike to Taktsang Monastery. From the base walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest “. The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.
• Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hrs. under normal walking pace:
• Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

DAY 04 PARO – A EXPEDITION TO HAA VALLEY AND DRIVE BACK VIA CHELLELA PASS

• Drive to Haa valley, Visit the small town in Haa which was recently opened for tourism and still very Rural with not much modernization. Haa is located in the extreme western part of the kingdom.  You can take short Hikes and walks through the Haa Valley.
• Evening Drive back to Paro via the Chelela Pass where you can see beautiful snow capped mountain range and rhododendron flowers in bloom.
• A picnic lunch at the Chelela Pass. On the way back take a hike to the Chelela Nunnery.
• Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

DAY 05 PARO – THIMPHU

Drive to Thimphu

• Visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country.
• Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the Central Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks.
• Lunch in hotel in Thimphu.
• Afternoon: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972.
• Visit the mini Zoo where the national animals were kept and drive to Sangeygang where you can have a spectacular Birds Eye view of the Thimphu valley.
• Visit nunnery in Zilukha.
• Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through the instructions of painting and curving.
• Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased.
• Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved.
• Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu

DAY 06 THIMPHU – PUNAKHA – THIMPHU

Drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3150m).

• On the way stop for a photo stop at Dochula Pass which is 26km away from Thimphu valley, and for Tea and snacks and to enjoy the most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan snow capped Mountains and also the great view of Gasa Dzong at a distance. The journey continues through varying scenes of greenery all the way to Punakha.
• Visit Punakha town which is at 1300mtrs thus have a very pleasant climate. The Punakha Dzong lies between two great rivers with the wonderful view of Punakha Dzong. The names of the rivers are Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River). This Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body and also the office of the district Administration.
• Lunch in Punakha.
• Afternoon, drive to Wangdue Phodrang, visit Wangdue Phodrang small town and Dzong which was built in 1638 AD, and drive back to Thimphu in the evening.
• Over night: Hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 07 THIMPHU – PARO

Morning drive to Thimphu town.

• Shopping that you might want to take gifts for your family and friends back home.
• Lunch in Thimphu. Visit Simtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in Bhutan built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan. Or you can visit Tango Monastery, the Buddhist College. Which need an hour and half hike to the monastery.
• Afternoon: Visit Paro town.
• Over night: Hotel in Paro

DAY 08 PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE

Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and Benji Bhutan Tours & Travels will accompany you and bid farewell as you embark on your onward journey back home.