3 Nights/4 Days Cultural Tour

Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air & transfer to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1.1/2 hour drive)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. When flying along with the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence.

The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 100,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu main street (arts and crafts shops)

Day 02 : Thimphu
Visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha (169ft), the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museums, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese living traditions.

Visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.

Drive to Takin Preserve. The Takin is national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and goat.

Afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Evening time can be spent strolling through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkas paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

Day 03 : Thimphu – Paro (55 km, approx. 1.1/2 hour drive)
En route visit Simtokha Dzong (1629), one of the oldest fortress of the country and known as the place of profound tantric teaching. This dzong now houses a school for religious monastic body

Drive to Paro and visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & amour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Walk downhill the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Visit 7^th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Visit Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, “mountain of goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.

Day 04 : Depart Paro
Drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination our representative will see off