Tour Itinerary: short trip to bhutan covering must visit places

Day 1: Arrive Paro & Paro-Thimphu

Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour. Then drive to Thimphu,On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after refreshment visit the following:

• Kuensel Phodrang and visit tallest buddha statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
• Craft Bazaar -A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.
• Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
• Weekend Market: Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu’s scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where weekend market is held. It is an interesting place to visit and provides opportunity to mingle with the local people.
• National Sport of Bhutan ( Archery ): One of the best place to witness a game of traditional and modern archery. Which is a national sport of Bhutan? If you want to take some good picture of archery match then this is one of the best places to be. Almost all the time there is a tournament being played

Over night at Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast travel to paro. On the way visit the following:

• Tamchog Lhakhang Bridge: Located on the other side of the river of the Thimphu – Paro highway, one needs to cross an iron chain suspension bridge to get to the Lhakhang. About 50 minute drive from thimphu towards Paro, Tamchog Lhakhang sits across the Paro River. The Lhakhang is approached by an iron chain suspension bridge. The Lhakhang and the bridge were constructed by a 13th century Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo. The Buddhist saint was also a blacksmith and an architect. Of the many iron chain bridges built, there are only few left which are still used. Crossing this old bridge can be a thrilling experience for tourists. Some of the original iron chain links used to build this bridge can be found on display in the National Museum in Paro.
• Paro Airport Bird eye View: Paro international airport is the only international airport in Bhutan where you can teach Bhutan via air. It’s a small airport with singly runaway and no or very few international traffic. However, it’s considered as one of the dangerous airport for landing and also most beautiful airport in terms of landscape and architecture. Hotel Check in and later visit national museum.
• National Museum: A housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
• Paro Dzong: It is a house the office of the governor and monastic bodies.
• In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.

Over night at Paro

Day 3: A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 2 hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive to hotel.

Over night at Paro

Day 4: Paro Departure

After breakfast we will drive to Paro airport for the departure .