Seven days holiday package – BHUTAN PINE CASTLE TOURS & TREKS

SEVEN NIGHTS EIGHT DAYS

Day 01 Arrival at Paro International Airport

After clearing immigration and customs, proceed to the right of the exit door where you will find an ATM for local currency and a post office where you can purchase a local SIM card if you wish. Alternatively your guide will assist you with these at local bank/com store. Exiting the terminal main door you will be greeted by your Bhutan Pine Castle Tours guide and driver and transfer to Local Restaurant for lunch.

This afternoon you will pay visit to the National Museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds fantastic collections of Bhutanese national treasures including highly decorated thangkas (religious hangings) statutes and weaponry.

After the visit of museum, drive down to the Dzong where you will see the traditional architecture of the building, and you will have beautiful walk down to the Bhutanese cantilever bridge.

This afternoon, visit to Kyichu Lhakhang- one of the Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit followed by the old ruined fortress of the Drukgyel Dzong (14KM from Paro). This is the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory, from the Bhutanese used to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 7316 meters snow domed peak of sacred Mt. Jhomolhari can be seen.Overnight stay in Paro

Day 02 Hiking Pilgrimage & sightseeing in the Paro Valley

In the morning, hike up to the Taktsang Monastry also known as Tiger’s Nest. This is Bhutan’s most revered monastery and all Bhutanese strive to make the pilgrimage here at least once in their lives. This visit is much more than ‘just a hike’ and each step gains merit points for the next part of life’s journey.

Choose between a 1.5-2 hour round trip hike to the monastery viewpoint, or a longer 5 hours and more strenuous into the monastery itself. Please note you must be of at least moderate fitness to make it all the way to the monastery and back. Tiger’s Nest clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 800 meters above the valley floor and where Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a Tigress to subdue the local demons followed by 3 months meditation in a cave still visible in the monastery. In 1998 Taktsang was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the 4th King in 2005.Overnight stay at Paro.

Day 03 Punakha Valley – Drive 5 hours

This morning drive eastwards to Punakha valley. Ascend to Dochula Pass-(3114 m) to view the 108 stupas; a memorial to those who lost their lives in late 2003 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan-Indian border and to pay a tribute to His Majesty the 4th King of Bhutan for his wise leadership.On a clear day witness a breath taking view of the eastern Himalayas and opt for a hike to nearby hill top monastery before taking late lunch at Dochula restaurant.After lunch continue drive towards Punakha valley descending through narrow road.On arrival to Punakha –check- in the hotel, Overnight stay at Punakha.

Day 04 Punakha - Sightseeing

This morning drive/travel further up the valley & hike through rice paddies, fields of vegetables and through tiny hamlets to Khamsum Yulley Namgyle Chorten. This Chorten holds very special significance being consecrated in 1999& dedicated to the protection of the former Crown Prince-now King Jigme Khesar Namgyle Wangchuck.You can also pay a visit to the dramatic Punakha dzong, which formally served as the seat of the government and still the winter residence of the Dratshang (Central Monk Body).This is Bhutan’s most spectacular Dzong and excellent example of how a medieval fortress and a centre of both monastic and administrative functions has adapted and evolved for modern day use. Lunch at local Restaurant. After the lunch pay visit to the Nunerey (Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Choeling Buddhist College for Nuns. It’s worth to visit. Overnight stay at Punakha.

DAY 05 Drives to Phobjikha Valley

After the breakfast you will hike up the Chimi Lhakhang (the temple of Divine Madman. Later you will drive through the town of Wangdi Phodrang. Unfortunately the massive Dzong here burnt down in 2012- a great cultural loss. Continue your drive to Phobjikha valley through the Black Mountains national park divides western and central Bhutan. This is the best place in Bhutan to see yaks from the road.Phobjikha Valley In 2011 underground electricity cables finally connected this valley to the national grid. Potatoes in this regions primary cash crop and exported to India. This valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and it’s one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home for the rare black-necked cranes which migrant from Tibetan plateaus.Overnight stay at Phobjikha Valley.

Day 06 Explore Phobjikha Valley

While you are in the phobjikha valley you will visit 17th centurey sacred Gangty Goemba and take a wander through the quaint village followed by Gangty Nature Trail hike. Later visit Black Crane information Centre.

Day 07 Phobjikha to Thimphu

After breakfast will take long leisurely drive towards the Thimphu. On arrival in Thimphu, check-in to your hotel and take lunch. Enjoy the reminder of the day to explore the Thimphu Valley including the 13 Arts and Crafts school, the National Memorial sputa.Overnight Thimphu Valley