THE LAST SHANGRI-LA 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
PARO - THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - PARO

Day 1 Paro - Thimphu
Arrive Paro Airport meet and transfer to Thimphu, After lunch do some sightseeing visiting authentic area of Thimphu valley starting from memorial stupa (Chorteen) of late third king of Bhutan, changangkha lhakhang which is temple for the protection of new born baby, mini zoo which we have preserved the unique national animal called Takin and drive further up to the view point to the Thimphu city. Later visit the Tashichhoedzong the seat of the Government, weekend market and free time in town. Overnight at Hotel Jomolhari

Day 2 Thimphu - Punakha - Thimphu
Day excursions to Punakha the ancient capital of Bhutan which is also still practice as the winter resident of the chief of the monk body called Je-khenpo. On the way stop at Dochula pass ( 3100m ) which is marked with 108 stupa and also in a clear weather one can see the great eastern Himalaya of Bhutan if not at least in photograph which is placed in Dochula cafe. So explore the Punakha valley and afternoon take a short hike to the fertility temple called Chimmi lhakhang through the beautiful rice terrace with farm houses at the side. Later drive back to Thimphu . Overnight at Hotel Jomolhari

Day 3 Thimphu - Paro
Morning drive to Paro visit to the National Musuem, Paro Rimpung dzong and walk down hill for 15min to catch the transport, lunch in local restaurant afternoon free time in town for while and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel Tenzinling Resort Paro

Day 4 Paro
Early morning  hike to Taktshang monestery which takes about 5hrs for round trip and is the place were Guru Rimpoche fly to this place on the back of flamming Tiger who introduce Buddhism in Bhutan in early 8th centaury. Later walk back to town for lunch and visit the of Kichu Lhakhnag one of the oldest temple built by Tibetan king Songsen Gempo in 7 th centaury in order to subdue the evil sprit over the Himalayan region and witness if archery match (National Game) going on . Overnight at Hotel Tenzinling Rsort Paro

Day 5 Paro departure
Drop off at Paro Airport .

Day 1 Paro - Thimphu
Arrive Paro Airport m e et and transfer to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan , check in the hotel, lunch at Hotel/local restaurant. Afternoon city sightseeing visit to Memorial stupa/chorteen built in the memory of our late third king of Bhutan in early seventy's, later drive to the view point over Thimphu city and way back stop at the only Zoo in Bhutan were the national animal of Bhutan so call Takin (Brodos Taxi colour) has been preserved. Than visit the only nunnery in this valley with view of Tashichoedzong the largest one and housed His Majesty's office and summer resident of religious head Je-Khenpo. You are allowed to visit only after office hours and weekends. Overnight at Hotel Jomolhari, Thimphu .

Day 2 Thimphu
Drive to north of Thimphu valley for the grand hike to Tango/Cheri monastery for 45mins, home to the His Holiness the Galse Tenzin Rabgay who is suppose to happen to built the country's famous land mark temple Tiger's Nest (Taktshang) in Paro valley in 17 th centaury. Afternoon visit the Art and Craft school and handicraft Emporium and free time in town. Overnight at Hotel Jomolhari.

Day 3 Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdue
Early morning drive to Punakha ( 77 km , 3 hrs 15 minutes) which the ancient capital of Bhutan until the 1955 and it's the winter resident of religious head, on the way stop at the Dochula Pass/Tea house (10,000 feet) for to witness the only unclimbed chain of Himalaya extended from east to west with bordering with Tibet China on clear weather. After tea break drive to Punakha which locates at low/warm valley have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong. Late afternoon drive to Wangdue Phodrang ( 13 km , 45 minutes). Overnight at Dragon Nest Resort.

Day 4 Wangdue - Trongsa
Early morning drive to Trongsa 130km 5-6hrs via Pelela- pass which is 3430m high above sea level on the way sometimes may see the Yak grazing the bamboo draft. From the pass decent down hill with few stop to see the yak herder's camp/houses and bamboo basket and mats weaving at small shops and on the road side. Stop at Chendebji Stupa, built by Sindhu Raja in Nepali style which is the famous picnic site for the local travelers and at only restaurant at this place. After lunch drive to Trongsa and visit the Dzong were every Crown Prince have to sit as the Governor of this dzong before thrown to the king because of its good legend behind which the our crew would let you know and free time in town. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort, Trongsa.

Day 5 Trongsa - Bumthang
Morning drive to Bumthang 68km 3hrs via Yotongla pass 3510m which is known through many names as heart of weaving centre or Switzerland in Bhutan and check in hotel and lunch. After lunch visit of Jambay Lhakhang ( Temple of Future Buddha ), Kurjey Lhakhang ( Temple of Body print). Walk from Kurjey- Tamsing included visiting of farm house on the walk. Short visit of Local Cheese product selling shop and free time in the market. Overnight at Wangdicholing Resort, Bumthang.

Day 6 Bumthang
Day Excursions to the hidden Ura valley 48km 1hr and 30min drive and visit explore the valley and visit the one of local farm house in this beautiful village. Sometimes you may able to see the local people plough the fields with bull (Ox) Lunch at good place on the ground with view of this village. Afternoon drive back to Jakar via visiting the burning lake were the Pema Lingpa a treasure founder have his connection with this lake, Overnight at Wangdicholing Resort. Bumthang.

Day 7 Bumthang - Wangdue
Morning drive back to Wangdue via Trongsa exploring the missing things on the way. Overnight at Hotel Dragon Nest Resort, Wangdue.

Day 8 Wangdue - Paro
Early morning drive to Paro via Thimphu, lunch in local restaurant afternoon visit the National Musuem of Bhutan which is know as Ta-dzong meaning Watch Tower and later visit to the Paro Rimpung Dzong which is suppose to be built on heap of jewels. Later walk down hill to meet the transport and free time in Paro town. Overnight at Hotel Tenzinling Resort, Paro.

Day 9 Paro
Morning drive to ruin Drugyel dzong meaning Victory fortress and later hike to Tigers Nest till Monastery for 4-5hrs round trip but first try to reach to the Taktsang Cafeteria the Tea House which you can also see the beautiful view of the monastery and depending on your energy level hike further to the it. Launch at Tea house or at the base restaurant were you will be serve the traditional local meals. Afternoon visit of Kichu Lhakhnag one of the oldest temple built by Tibetan king Songsen Gempo in 7 th centaury in order to subdue the evil sprit over the Himalayan region and witness if archery match (National Game) going on. Overnight at Hotel Tenzinling Resort Paro

Day 10 Paro departure
Drop off at Paro airport for flight to Bangkok or Delhi .

Updated: Jul19,2010