5-Day Bhutan Luxury Holiday

Day 1: Day 1: Paro International Airport – Your first glimpse of Bhutan

1. Pass by
   At the Airport exit gate your tour guide and driver will be waiting for you and a few minutes’ drive will bring you to the Paro town where you can have your lunch or tea/coffee.
2. Rinpung Dzong
   2h · Admission ticket included
   The majestic Rinpung Dzong or the Fortress of Heaped Jewels is located along the Paro river gathering attention and admiration from every corner of the valley. Like all the Dzongs in the country, the Rinpung Dzong houses the administrative offices along side the district monastic body, i.e. the monks, their living quarters and learning centers.
3. National Museum
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The National Museum located above the Rinpung Dzong was previously a watch tower (Ta Dzong) built in 1649 to guard the valley from numerous Tibetan invasions. Built in the shape of a conch shell the tower was converted to a Museum in 1968, was severely damaged by three major earthquakes, the recent being in 2011 and renovated and reopened in all its former architectural glory in June 2020 as the National Museum.
4. Thimphu
   3h
   Thimphu is an amalgamation of modern technology and facilities amidst ancient culture and traditions. The capital has been able to maintain its aesthetic architectural beautify in perfect sync with development and expansion, as can be seen in all the buildings in and around the city. There are no sky scrapers nor huge shopping malls, no fast food chains nor any international brand outlets, no homeless people nor any slums and instead the settlements follow the meandering river with high-rise mountains on either side.

Day 2: Thimphu Valley Excursion – Combination of the Ancient and the Modern

1. Buddha Dordenma
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Overlooking the quaint Thimphu city is one of the largest Buddha Dordenma Statue in the world. The statue is 51.5 meters in height, made of bronze and glided in gold making it one of a kind. Popularly known as the Buddha Point, the place is a favorite among devotees who comes from all corners of Bhutan to pay their respects. Like any other religious sites or monasteries in Bhutan, the building of the gigantic statue was also prophesied. The first prophecy was made by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century and in the 20th century by Yogi Sonam Zangpo, that a Buddha statue will be built in this region for the World Peace and Happiness.
2. Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The Memorial Chorten located in the heart of the Thimphu city is a favorite spiritual hangout and a great interactive place for tourists and Bhutanese. The 3 storied stupa houses some very prominent statues of Buddhist saints, figures and relics and therefore considered very auspicious for conducting rituals and ceremonies. The main statue of the ‘Wish-fulfilling Buddha’ inside the Chorten is said to grant wishes for the earnest and honest hearted!
3. Centenary Farmers Market
   1h
   If you want to mingle with the Bhutanese people and jostle with local farmers amongst the aroma of organic fruits and vegetables, the Centenary Farmers Market is the place to be. Smiling tourists watch in awe as locals bargain with the vendors and you can even stock up on your organic fruits for the coming days. The market is one of the busiest place in the valley with farmers from all corners of Bhutan selling their organic produce. A stroll through the market will give the travelers an insight into the food habits and cuisines of Bhutan. One ingredient that is widely seen in the market is the dried and fresh green chilies which is the most essential ingredient in all the Bhutanese dishes. Photographs are allowed and travelers can also exchange a few words with some vendors who speaks English.
4. 3h · Admission ticket included
   Every Dzong in Bhutan houses the district administrative offices and the Local Monastic Body, however the importance of the Tashi Chho Dzong is that it houses the office of the King, the Throne room and the Central Monastic Body. Tashi Chho Dzong or the Fortress of the Glorious Religion is located along the banks of the Thimphu river and is one of the most prominent and spectacular attraction in the valley.
   
   Though travelers are restricted to enter the offices or the Royal office, however a walk along the beautiful flower garden, glimpse of the architectural structures and visiting some of the auspicious temples is well worth the visit. Also, since the visiting hours are after 5 pm this is also the perfect time to watch the intimate ceremony of lowering the flag and the majestic march of the policemen as they march the flag off to the interior offices.

Day 3: Thimphu - Paro

1. Dochula Pass
   30m
   Drive for an hour till you reach the scenic Dochulaa Pass (3150 meters) from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayan Mountains and the mini 108 stupas built over a hill.
2. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Semtokha Dzong or the Fortress atop a Demon is the first Dzong built in 1629 by the saint Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan in the 17th Century and constructed numerous fortresses all over the country. Back in the days, there was a ferocious demon terrorizing the people of Thimphu valley wherein a major fight ensued between the Zhabdrung and the demon who tried to hide under a rock. Zhabdrung immediately restrained the demon into the rock and constructed the Dzong (over the rock) ensuring the eternal imprisonment of the demon.
3. Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Tachogang lhakhang literally translates to the ‘Temple on the Hill of Excellent Horse’ and is located on a hill top opposite the Paro-Thimphu highway and enjoys a serene ambience with the river and the surrounding hills. The temple is dedicated to Thangtong Gyalpo, the Iron Bridge Builder also a renowned Buddhist saint, yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, music composer and one of the most travelled person in the Himalayas back in the 14th Century.
   
   History relates that Thangtong Gyalpo was summoned by the local deities and upon arrival at the present site of the temple he meditated for 7 days. During his meditation he experienced visions of Balaha – a spiritual horse considered an emanation of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion) and that inspired him to establish a temple, hence the name Tachogang Lhakhang. The temple was built by the heart son of Thangtong Gyalpo and is still managed and cared for by his descendants who also lives in the premises.

Day 4: Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery / Taktsang Goemba

1. Paro Taktsang
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Locally known as Taktsang Goemba, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the most sacred and revered holy site in the Buddhist arena akin to Mecca of Saudi Arabia, St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican City, The Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, Kashi Vishwanath Temple of India and many more. Located on a steep cliff high above the Paro valley at an altitude of 3,120 meters above the sea level, the Tiger’s Nest is an architectural and engineering feat baffling visitors with its spiritual ambience and extraordinary history.
   
   Legend holds that Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan in the 7th Century, flew on a tigress back from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to the current site at Taktsang. Guru Rinpoche then subdued the demons and meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours thus sanctifying the site as one of the most holiest and religious. Over the centuries many great saints, yogis and lamas visited the site for meditation and blessings.
2. 2h
   Since the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary offers many activities you have the choice to stay at your Hotel and enjoy these facilities, or you can visit few temples located in the town and enjoy a stroll through the market places and numerous small handicraft shops.

Day 5: Depart

1. Pass by
   After breakfast and as per your flight time your tour guide and driver will drive you to the Airport. We hope you had a pleasant stay and we hope to see you again in Bhutan.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness