CULTURAL TOUR
Kingdom of Happiness
Kingdom of Happiness
Experiences 6 days happiness trip.
What’s included?
All meals, tea and snacks, complementary bottled water in car, hotels, transport, guide, government levy, visa fee, entrance fees, permits and sightseeing. On trek includes – sleeping tents, dinning tents, toilet and shower tents, toilet seats, mats, duffle bags, cooking utensils, all meals, guide, trek chef assistants and horses.
What’s NOT included?
Flight tickets, insurance, tips, drinks and beverages, sleeping bag on trek, laundry, internet, phone and other bills of personal nature.
Day 1
Arrive Paro – Thimphu
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains. On arrival you will be received by our guide and take you to the restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the Ta- Dzong, which is now the National Museum. The museum has a wide range of ancient paintings, antics, environmental diversity and armours. Then walk down the trail to Paro Dzong to see the mural paintings. After that, visit the oldest temple in Bhutan, Kichu Lhakhang. The temple is said to be one of the 108 temples built in a single day! Later in the evening, we will drive to the capital city, Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2
Thimphu
Sightseeing in Thimphu includes giant Buddha statue, reputed to be the largest Buddha Shakyamuni in the world, the King’s Memorial Chorten which was built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972, the Zoo where we will see the National Animal of Bhutan – Takin, Nunnery temple, and the National Library where we will see the copy of the world’s largest published books. After that, visit institute for Zorig Chhusum, commonly known as Institute of Thirteen arts and crafts, where a six-year training course is given in the 13 traditional arts. After having Bhutanese Lunch, visit Bhutan post office where you can make your own stamps with your own photo for your postcards and traditional handmade paper factory. Later in the afternoon, visit Tashichhodzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion). Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3
Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast we will have a beautiful drive to Punakha. En route we will stop at Dochula pass, located at 3100m above sea level. This is one of the best places for every tourist to catch and get the glimpse of the Himalayas. In the clear sky, we will see all the Himalayan ranges including the highest peak of Bhutan – Gangkar Puensum (7564m) above sea level. We can spend some time here walking round the 108 stupas. We will then drive downhill through the forest of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. After lunch, walk along the rice field to Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple). Later in the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, former capital of Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4
Punakha – Paro
Today we will drive back to Paro. On the way back at Dochu La Pass, we will visit the Druk Wangyal temple, the mural paintings inside the temple is very unique from rest of the temple in the country. In Thimphu, we will visit the weekend market (open from Thursday to Sunday). The farmers from different villages come together to sell their local goods. In the late afternoon, we will then drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro.
Day 5
Paro
Today we will hike to the Taktshang monastery (Tigers Nest) located at 900m above the Paro valley. It is very famous and the holiest temple in Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche, a tantric master who brought Buddhism to Bhutan is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress and then meditated in a cave for three months. After having Lunch on the mountain, we will hike back to the car. If time permits, visit a farm house to experience a Bhutanese Butter Tea and Ara (local wine). Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 6
Departure
After breakfast, drive to Paro airport for flight to onward destination
