Paro- Thimphu City Tour

On arrival at Paro International Airport (PBH), complete the formalities (Arrival visa).  You will be greeted with a warm smile and escorted to Hotel in Thimphu by our representative. It is approximately a 1.5hrs drive from Paro to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. On the way to Thimphu, you will get to see the fascinating valley of Paro; rice fields, apple orchards, and farmhouses. On arrival at Thimphu, check into your hotel. Have some rest.  Evening, you will go the Thimphu sightseeing.

You will go to Kuenselphodrang to visit the giant golden Great Buddha Dordenma, commonly known as the “Big Buddha Statue”. It is one of the greatest monuments which is 51m tall, that guards the entrance to the Thimphu valley. You can see the whole Thimphu valley and mountain peaks from the Kuenselphodrang viewpoint.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel.

After enjoying breakfast, you will set out to explore Thimphu. Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and is the only large settlement in Bhutan.

First, you’ll visit the Memorial Chorten (Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk’s Memorial Chorten), built-in 1974 to memorialize the end of the reign of Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk popularly known as “Father of Modern Bhutan”.

After that, you will visit Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) built-in 1641. You will see the King’s throne, the King’s office, the Secretariat office, and the central body of the monk in the dzong.

Following, you can go to the Centenary Farmers Market which is open from Thursday to Sunday only. It is the point used to buy and sell foodstuff, local arts and crafts.

If interested, you can go to Changlimithang National Stadium to watch the national game of Bhutan i.e., Archery Match. After finishing sightseeing you will return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Thimphu Hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and you will drive to Paro. It is a 4-5hrs of drive from Punakha to Paro. On arrival at Paro valley, check into the hotel. Get fresh up, have lunch and we will go to visit Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th century ruined fortress where the Bhutanese got victory over Tibetan’s attack. It is also a famous archeological site in Bhutan. Mt. Jomolhari (7,320m) can be seen from the Dzong in clear weather.

Proceeding from there you will visit Ta dzong- The National Museum of Bhutan. Explore and learn the whole history of Bhutan in the museum.

After that, you will take a short walk to Rinpung Dzong, the administrative center and school for monks.  From the Dzong, you can walk down to the oldest bridge of Bhutan, the Rinpung Bridge.

After the sightseeing. You will return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Paro hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel, today you will go for a hike to Taktsang Monastery. It is the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the country, perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. It was built by the Bhutanese ruler Tenzin Rabgye on the site of the meditations cave of Guru Rinpoche who converted Paro valley to Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown over there sitting on the back of Tigress and meditated for 3 months. So, this monastery is also called “Tiger’s Nest Monastery”.  It takes 2hrs to reach the closest monastery viewpoint at the top of the hill and then 1hr to reach the monastery. Exploring the monastery, you will descend to the valley.

On your way back you will pay a visit to Bhutan’s oldest temple, Kyichu Monastery. With this, you will head back to the hotel. Free for the rest of the time.

Dinner and overnight at Paro hotel.

Today is your final day in Bhutan. After having breakfast, check out from the hotel, and you will be escorted to the airport 3 hours before your flight time. Until the flight time free to explore around the valley.