KINGDOM IN HEAVEN
5 days
4 nights
GRADE Easy
None
Description
"Discover Paro, Punakha, and Phobjikha Valley in Just Five Days!"
This itinerary is developed for 5 days tour package to suit the needs of our guests who would like to experience and see the best of the kingdom in a relatively short duration. In this 5 days and 4 Nights tour we will offer you the best cultural and adventure tour of the beautiful valleys of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Few elements such as a short adventure hike to Tigers nest at Paro is the top highlight and if one finds difficult hiking, one can ride horses or take a sojourn through the beautiful Paro Town in the evening.
Hike to iconic Tigers nest is mesmerizingly breath-taking and challenging too. If you are a slow hiker, it takes 2H50M uphill hike to the Main temple and once atop the scenery is mind-blowing. A must visit sacred site for everyone. In this short Glimpse of Bhutan tour you will make most of the trip.
Introduction to this Kingdom
Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is consistently ranked as one of the most exotic travel destinations offering a unique travel experience. It is one of the last remaining Buddhist kingdoms in the world. Steeped in the Himalaya’s mystical landscape and culture, the country has one of the most progressive and sustainable tourism policy that seeks to balance the need of improving the country’s economic prospects with the critical need to safeguard its fragile environment and culture. The result is the admission in the country of only a limited number of highly conscientious travellers through progressive regulatory and taxation policy. Travellers to Bhutan enjoy a unique experience and are guaranteed the highly renowned and authentic Bhutanese hospitality in rural and natural setting together with the comfort of modern tourist amenities. Guests will also enjoy the exclusive services of our well trained and experienced personal guides and drivers. Amazing mountainous landscape, unique Buddhist architecture, religious festivals and warm and friendly people are some of the major attractions. To experience all of these and more, please book STT’s 5 days ‘Kingdom in Heaven Trip’. You will be mesmerized by the beautiful remote countryside that this trip takes you to within a relatively short duration. If you can extend one more day, there is an opportunity to visit the breathtaking valley of Punakha which is 2H2M.
Day 01: Arrival in Paro
On the flight to Paro, if flying from Delhi and Kathmandu, a spectacular view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jhumolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake in Bhutan can be seen. The flight to international airport in Paro is most spectacular and thrilling as one approaches the tiny airstrip through the Bhutanese foothills before landing which take you an 1H5M from Kathmandu. On arrival to Paro, after completion of airport formalities, our guide will be there to receive you with Kahadaar ceremony (white scarf, considered good luck) to greet you and escort to our private vehicle and proceed to Phobjikha valley which will take about 4H38M. The route will follow the Paro River until Chuzom from there the drive will bend towards Thimphu River taking you to the heart of capital city Thimphu. You will pass through scenic and picturesque village of Bondey, Shaba, Isina, etc until you enter the welcome gate in Thimphu and continue your journey to Phobjikha valley.
Chuzom- Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro) this is tri junction of highway leading to Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing into three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of beautiful portrait of our King and Queen placed at Chuzom which is welcoming to all those who visits Bhutan.
Dochu-la pass - Enroute the most scenic drive to Phobjikha through Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft). On a clear sky, stop here admire the spectacular ranges from (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m and one can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon. On the same spot, visit the beautiful 108 stupas constructed by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley. In the evening, take a stroll around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the kingdom.
Black Necked Crane Information Centre- This place is run by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) and has an observation room with high-power telescopes and good scope for spotting the famous Black Necked Cranes which migrates to the region during winter. It also displays information about the history of the region.
Farmhouse Visit- This experience is a particularly fun and spontaneous way to connect with the local community and learn about Bhutanese culture and way of living and have dinner here. In the night, soak in medicinal hot stone bath that is rich in minerals that help in rejuvenation and relaxation. Overnight at guest house, altitude 2900m.
Day 02: Phobjikha to Punakha Sight Seeing
In the morning after breakfast drive to Punakha Valley and on the way visit Wangduephodrang Dzong/Fortress for a brief stop to the historic monument, located atop on a spur of the confluence of two rivers.
Proceed to Punakha which is often referred as second capital and have the most impressive Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. The Punakha Dzong constructed in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Over the centuries, many calamities such as four catastrophic fires and an earthquake befell on the Dzong. Today the Dzong is fully restored by the present monarchs. The Dzong is opened to visitors during the famous Punakha festival held in early spring and in the summer months, after the monk body has returned to Thimphu.
Punakha has the perfect place to awaken the nature lover, take in the splendid views of the Himalayas, listen to the sounds of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers that simply soak up the serene beauty of this gorgeous valley.
Proceed to Thimphu and rest at the hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing
In the morning, after breakfast you have an option to visit some of the places given below as per your time availability.
Tashichho Dzong- Visit which houses the throne room of His Majesty the King is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the "Fortress of the glorious religion", it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (at the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.
Visit Buddha Dordenma – Once in Thimphu, visit the statue sitting atop over a hill overlooking Thimphu entrance valley. The Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is one of the tallest in Asia (51.5 m). The site of Buddha Dordenma provides breath-taking panoramic view of the capital town.
Folk Heritage and Textile Museums: These museums, were opened in 2001, provides detail insights into Bhutanese culture and way of life. Closed on Sat / Sun / Govt. Holidays
Institute for Zorig Chusum: or the Painting School as commonly referred offers a six-year course in the Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. On a visit one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. Closed on Sun / Govt. Holidays / Sat – 10am-12pm
Handicrafts Emporium: This is government owned enterprise display huge arrays of intricately hand-woven textiles and craft products. Many collections of books are also available on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture.
National Library: Has an astounding collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts, which dates several hundred years, including modern academic books on Himalayan culture and religion. Closed on Sat / Sun / Govt. Holidays.
Meditation Centre- Visit to a Dhyana Zhi Tshok meditation centre and attend mindfulness-based meditation sessions/programs. Here you will learn the foundations of meditation and receive high quality instruction in a practical and easy way to understand. All the teachings here are delivered by highly qualified teachers. This will give you time to meditate and cultivate calmness and peace. One can attend full day workshop or short duration, depending upon your availability.
Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar- In the evening, visit Bhutan’s first ever craft bazaar showcases wide range of authentic Bhutan-made arts and craft products with reasonable price range.
Towards evening, proceed to Paro, overnight halt at hotel.
Day 04: Paro -Hike to Tiger Nest
After our breakfast, drive to the base of trekking point, from here you will hike to Taktsang Monastery also known as Tiger Nest Temple, which is built in 1962 around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (also known as Guru Padmasambhava) meditated. The eighth-century old monastery is perched on a sheer drop rock cliff which clings at 900m above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in one of the caves here and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) to bless the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.
Tiger Nest Temple is considered, one of the must-visit places around the world before one die. The hike takes almost 2 hours, uphill at 30 to 40 degrees inclined for an average trekker and may even take full day which will depend upon one’s own pace. The first of half of the hike reaches you to the cafeteria may seems never ending however hereon due to magical aura of the structure at your close sight, you feel energized to push further. The effort is worth as you reach the feet of the Tiger Nest, with its astounding scenic beauty, one feel extreme jubilation and fulfilment like never before. And on the way back, one can either run down or take a brisk walk. After the trek, if you are totally exhausted one can either take a perfect hot stone bath with a sumptuous dinner in a hotel or at farmhouse. In the evening relax or take a stroll in the town.
Afternoon, we can visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was converted to Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong with fascinating long history. Night halt in Paro.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 05: Departure
After your breakfast, on the last day of the trip, we will bid a fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country for your onward destination. We hope by now you have made close friends and kept beautiful memories of Bhutan in your photos! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments.
Program ends here.
The cost included in your quote will cover your meals, local transport, accommodation (minimum 3-star hotel), SDF to government, professional guide, for stone bath the cost can be paid directly the owner. The quote does not include flight cost from KTM-Paro-KTM, one time visa fee of 40 USD per person will have to paid separately and total amount of onetime fee of 100 USD per person for entry fee for monuments.
