Bhutan is one of 10 biodiversity hot spots in the world and it harbors some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayan with 770 species of birds and over 50 species of rhododendron said “ The land of the Thunder Dragon”. Rich wildlife is indigenous to the area with the like of the snow leopard, blue sheep, tiger, water buffalo elephant, golden langur, and Takin. Bhutan is a landlocked country encompassing 46,500 sq. km bounded in the north and northeast by Tibet and surrounded by India in the east and south. The geographic regions can be divided into the high Himalayas in the north, the hills and the valleys of the center and the foothills and plains of the south. The three relief zones define three different climates: alpine with monsoon temperate with monsoon and tropical which also defines the three climates: tropical, temperate with monsoon and alpine with the monsoon. More than 56 percent of the land of Bhutan is still under forest cover. Himalayan flora and fauna and dazzling white peaks of its lush valleys provide Bhutan’s stunning beauty and aesthetic grandeur. Bhutan “The land of the Thunder Dragon” has been worldwide welcoming to visit and to get experience once in your lifetime.
We pick you up from your Kathmandu hotel and drive about 20 minutes to Tribhuban International airport. ‘KTM-PBH’ Kathmandu to Paro is just 550km in aeronautical distance and exact flight time is just one hour however it is supposed 1:30 flight time including flight take off and land on. It requires 2 hour earlier as reporting time in Kathmandu than scheduled flight time to Paro. As soon after the immigration formalities at Paro airport, Our Bhutan tour representative received from the arrival gate and transfer to the specific Resort. If time still early evening, we go out for a short guided sightseeing Tour.
Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel trip start for ruined fortress of Drugyeldzong which still a beautiful attraction among visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The Paro valley was defended by this fort from the Tibetan invasion in early 17th century. Mt.Chomolhari (7,320M/24,016FT) can be seen towering over the dzong on clear weather day. Our trip proceed through the beautiful valley to the view tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It is established as National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme DorjiWangchuck to protect Bhutanese tradition and culture. Bhutanese history and culture dating back to the 7th century are preserved on seventh floors of museum highlighting its various aspects of history in the nation. A downhill shot walk to the RinpungDzong is the place for administrative center and school for monks. We will walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town of local people. Enjoy visiting the local people in the public market and return back to the resort for the night stay and Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
In the third day of your stay in Bhutan, we will drive to Thimphu approximately 2 hours and check in to a hotel in Thimpu. In the afternoon we will visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme DorjiWangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the national animal of Bhutan “Takin” and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. We will visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and spent free time in the market.
In the morning we will visit the National library, Royal goldsmith workshop, Handicraft centers and Painting school. After lunch, we will drive 3 hours to WangduePhodrang crossing the Dochula pass (3,100M/ 10,171 FT) Which is also a view point for the view of eastern Himalayan ranges with the highest mountain of Bhutan Mt. GangarPunsum (7,520M/24,672 FT) is amazing. As soon cross the pass all the way downhill to the Lobesa valley lower and warmer.
Overnight at hotel.
We will bring you for a day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley (2,800m), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. We will explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.
Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, this morning we will drive about 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, the old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is in the junction of two rivers Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (femel) and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession, known as the Punakha Serda, takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. We will return drive to Thimpu (3 hours). After lunch trip proceed to the ‘Memorial Chorten’ which was built in the memory of late king ‘Jigme DorjiWangchuk’, The ‘Changangkha Monastery’ of 15th century and the new ‘Drupthob’ a nunnery temple. We visit the ‘SimkokhaDzong’ supposed the first building was built in Bhutan and now it is the Buddhist University.
Overnight in Paro at hotel.
After breakfast in hotel, we drive you to the airport to catch flight back to Kathmandu.