5 Days- Bhutan Cultural Tour

5 Days- Bhutan Cultural Tour

1. We offer diverse option of tours and can customize tours to cater to our clients ‘special needs.

2. We guarantee superior customer service, high comfort level and the most updated information.

3. We focus on the quality with prompt response and take you to places where it's not mentioned in the guidebooks and let you interact with local people sharing authentic experiences.

4. We are staffed with friendly and experienced English speaking guides all certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan.

5. Maebar Travel is a licensed tour operator and a member of Association of Bhutan Tour Operators and Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Itinerary

Day 1: Thimphu - Paro sights & Thimphu Acclimatization Day!

Stop At: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
• Arrive Paro International Airport (Bhutan) by llight. Welcome to Bhutan “the land of the Thunder Dragon.” Your introduction to the last Himalayan kingdom begins on the flight over the world’s most majestic peaks and the approaching valley with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples and farmhouse nestled in splendid mountain isolation.
• Greetings in a traditional style with Tashi Khada (white scarf) at Paro airport.
• Get blessings at the oldest temple of the kingdom, Kichu Lhakhang. This temple was built in 629AD by a Tibetan King to pin down a giant demon.
• National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong (fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968 (one of the best museums of Asia). The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory.
• Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guard houses to the Dzong. Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school.
• Witness an Archery Match played by locals with lots of hue & cry in Paro local town.
• In evening drive to Thimphu, a small, charming capital city nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. It is nothing like what a capital city is imagined to be. Most of the houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.After check-in hotel, time at leisure. Free to roam around city. Overnight Thimphu/ Alt; 2320m

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3.5 star hotel

Day 2: Discovering Punakha & Wangdue (78km/ 2.5hr)

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
• After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the winding river of Paro Chu & Wangchu.
• Stop for a hot cup of coffee at Dochu La pass (3150m) where you can enjoy the spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan mountain range.
• Take a walk around the 108 stupas and also enter the Drukwangyel (Royal temple) built by the four queens as a tribute to the fourth King of Bhutan.
• Punakha Dzong, "Palace of Great Happiness.” It hosts the administrative seat of the district. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river. It was built in 1637 AD It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan's first king was crowned. This ancient fortress is considered to be one of the most beautiful by many.
• Walk on the Punakha suspension bridge. It's considered the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. It connects the two sides of Po Chhu river. The brdige was made to connect to nearby villages in the early year. Get a boost of adrenaline by walking on the bridge.
• In evening, hike to Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is called the Temple of Fertility as it is believed that childless couples who come here to pray for a child is usually blessed with a child. This is the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman.” The trail takes you through the Himalayan paddy fields and a typical Metshina village.Overnight Punakha & Wangdue/ Alt; 1240m
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3.5 star hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu Cultural Sightseeing.

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
• After breakfast drive to Thimphu , "cultural heartland of the country ". On arrival, check in the hotel.
• Drive to Sangay-gang where the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, is found in captivity. This hill is also called the “romantic point” as lovers often come here to enjoy the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley.
• Visit Buddha Gang, which offers a spectacular view of Thimphu city. This giant Buddha-statue overlooking Thimphu is one of the biggest in the world.
• Visit the General Post Office. You can create personalized postage stamps with your own photo for souvenir or sent home on postcard.
• National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. They also have on display the largest Picture Book on Bhutan in the world.
• Zorig Chusum “School for Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts” followed by a visit to Craft Bazaar for authentic local handicraft and souvenir.
• Circumambulate around Memorial chorten (huge stupa). This is the favorite spot for the locals of all age to chant mantras, prostrate, pray and practice their devotion.
• Visit the farmer's market where they sell fresh produce of organic fruits and vegetables.
• The Tashichhoe Dzong, the main secretariat building, the office of the King and Throne room and also the house of the State Monastic Body.
• In the evening walking tour, in Thimphu city; Hongkong market, Norzin lam, Main traffic area, Wogzin lam, Clock tower etc.

Overnight Thimphu/ Alt; 2320m
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3.5 star hotel

Day 4: Excursion to mystical Tiger's nest.(60km/ 1hr)

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
• After a wholesome breakfast, drive to Paro. Check in your resort and prepare for the excursion.
• Spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The hike takes about 4-5 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro valley. (Pony & horse ride, optional)

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tigress and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery.
• Lunch at the hillside cafeteria.
• In evening, visit a typical village home for an authentic Bhutanese style farewell dinner accompanied by the homemade liquor in traditional bhutanese attire ( Gho and Kira )

Optional, luxuriate in the hot stone bath called “Chu Tse.” River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub with herbs. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing. Overnight Paro/ Alt; 2280m

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3.5 star hotel