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Day 01 : DELHI / PARO Transfer to airport for flight to Paro.
During this flight you will experience breathtaking views of the great peaks; Mt.
Everest, Kanchenjunga, the sacred Chomoihari and the Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Assistance
on arrival in Paro and transfer to hotel. Evening free to explore the market. Overnight
Paro.
Day 02 : PARO : After breakfast drive to Drukgyal Dzong (meaning
victorious fortress), which is now in ruins. It was from this fort that the
Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Then
commence excursion
to the famous Taktsang Monastery, which is a hallowed shrine
for Bhutanese pilgrims. Guru Rimpoche is said to have ridden up on the back of a
tigress and meditated here one thousand years ago. However, for tourists,
the hike to the monastery itself is a thrilling and mystical experience. Overnight
Paro.
Day 03 : PARO / THIMPU : Morning, visit Rinpung Dzong, a fortress
monastery built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal
ruler of Bhutan. The Dzong houses the monastery of Paro and also the district administrative
center. Then visit Ta Dzong (the National Museum). A one time watch-tower
built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the inter valley wars of the 17th century,
Ta Dzong has housed the nation's
heritage since 1967. The museums circular shape
augments varied collection displayed over several floors. After lunch, drive to
Thimpu , enroute visiting Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's most ancient fortress.
Built in 1627, it was the country's first official center of social and religious
education. Overnight Thimpu.
Day 04 : THIMPU Morning, visit the main secretariat building which
houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan and other national level
offices. During the warmer summermonths, the monk body headed by His Holiness, the
Je Khenpo, makes its home in The Dzong. Also visit the National library,which holds
a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Painting School, famous
for traditional 'thangka'
paintings. Afternoon, visit andicrafts Emporium,
exotic weaves in wool, silk and cotton, beautiful basketware, jewellery and other
traditional crafts are available here. In the evening, visit the memorial
Chorten (stupa) built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji
Wiangchuck, popularly known as the 'Father of Modern Bhutan'.Overnight Thimpu.
Day 05 : THIMPU / PUNAKHA: Morning, take a stroll through Thimpu's
main street for shopping and a leisurely stroll. Afterwards, drive to Punakha, which
was the capital of Bhutan until 1855 and is still the winter seat of Je Khenpo,
the Chief Abbot. This drive crosses the 3050Mt Dochula Pass, the site of one
of the most spectacular views in Bhutan. In the afternoon visit Punakha Dzong,
built in 17th century to serve as the religious and administrative centre
of the place. Evening, explore the fascinating valley of Punakha. Overnight Punakha.
Day 06 : PUNAKHA / WANGDIPHODRANG : After breakfast proceed
to Wangdiphodrang. It is the last town on the central highway before central Bhutan.
The town is no more than an enlarged village with a few provision shops. Visit Wangdiphodrang
Dzong, sitting on the top of a hill overlooking the junction of two rivers. Rest
of the day explore Wangdiphodrang and Punakha valleys. Overnight Punakha.
Day 07 : PUNAKHA / PARO: Morning, drive to Paro, enroute
visiting a village farmhouse to get an idea how Bhutanese people live .The
farmhouses are very decorative, built and painted in the classical style. The houses
are normally three storeyed; ground floor for the cattle, top floor is used for
drying hay and the family lives on the middle one. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
Paro.
Day 08 : PARO / DELHI After breakfast transfer to airport
for flight to Delhi.
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