Bhutan Cultural Holiday Tour (7 Days & 6 Nights of Bhutan Cultural Tour)

• An excursion to view & visit the spectacular Takshang Monastery. “Takshang” literally means Tiger’s Nest. The Monastery is believed to have been built in 1684 on the spot where Guru Rimpoche (founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) flew on the back of a Tigress and meditated to subdue the demons in Paro valley. The trail to the Monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. This incredible Monastery clings vertically to the edge of a granite rock cliff that plunges 900 meters above the valley floor.
• Lunch at Takshang Cafeteria. Later visit Taa Dzong, the national museum of Bhutan & Rimpong Dzong.
• Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

• Early breakfast and drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (Alt.3050 M). If the weather is clear, you can have spectacular view of the snowcapped Himalayan mountain peaks from the pass.
• Continue drive to Punakha, check into hotel. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, this looks like a ship between two rivers i.e. Pho Chu and Mo Chu
• Drive to Missina to visit Chimmi Lhakhang (a temple of fertility and is regarded as a pilgrimage site for barren couple).
• Drive further to Wangduephodrang to visit town and Dzong.
• Overnight Hotel

• Early breakfast and hike to Khamsum Yulley Monastery; this will be a gradual 45 minutes climb up-hill. The view of the valley is spectacular from the top or the monastery.
• Later drive to Thimphu.
• Overnight Hotel

• Full day sightseeing – visit Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972);
• Visit National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved.
• Visit Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instruction in the art of painting Thangkha (Sacred Buddhist scroll).
• Visit Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts are displayed and can be purchased. Afternoon Visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortresses in Bhutan which was built in 1629.
• View Tashichho Dzong, the main Secretariat building which houses Headquarters of all Ministries, office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot.
• Continue sightseeing – visit Indigenous Hospital, Folk Heritage Museum, textiles Museum, and evening at leisure in town.
• Overnight Hotel

• Full day sightseeing – visit Dup-Thop Lhakhang, Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory, Post & Telegraph office to view Bhutanese stamps and drive to Sangyegang for view of Thimphu valley and Tashichhodzong.
• Changangkha Monastery, Takkin (national animal) Preservation Center and Buddha Point for view of Thimphu valley, crafts bazaar, evening at leisure/shopping in town.
• Overnight Hotel.

Following breakfast, visit weekend vegetable market; have early lunch and drive to Paro Airport for departure to Bangkok or Kathmandu.