Bhutan Happiness Tour

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be the cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterward drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan.

On arrival, in Thimphu check into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion, and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With a population of about 90,000, it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Lunch at the Hotel.

Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu’s main street and market area.

Textile Museum: is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress, and textiles made by women and men. 

Simply Bhutan Museum: The newly commissioned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture that is being lost to modernization.  The uniqueness of the structure is in the composition of the materials used. The structure is built reusing old timber, window, and door frames, and other items from traditional and old demolished houses.  The best part is the portrayal of the age-old lifestyles of the Bhutanese people.

Lunch is followed by a city tour that includes:

 Memorial Chorten: The stupa built was the memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father the of modern Bhutan.  The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located a short drive from Thimphu city center, centers can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country, and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Conclude the tour of the day with a visit to Trashichhoedzong, the “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch’s throne room, and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Altitude 2334 m

Meals Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Punakha across the Do Chula pass (3, O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Does Chula Pass offer the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day?

Afternoon visits Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.

Lunch at the city restaurant.

Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (from the hotel it is about a 15-minute drive to a motorable road and then the walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is a total of about 1.1/2 hour walk, including both ways) The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and want one if they pray at this temple are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. Visit Punakha Dzong.

Altitude 3080 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, following the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu River valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.

En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.

Later in the day after checking in and having lunch at the hotel.

Proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects, and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, and Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Altitude 2195 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike):  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of the building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor.

Lunch at a restaurant.

Along the way, visit the 7^th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Evening an exploratory walk around the Mainstreet and market area.

Altitude 2195 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for the flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

Altitude 2195 m

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation Not Included