Bhutan Insight Tour

<p>If we are lucky, we’ll have the glorious views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro (Try to get the left hand seat for better view of the Himalayas). All around, mountains rise and were far below, plunging into narrow valleys thick with forest, dense, impenetrable. We have now begun our descent into Paro, and the plane will drop suddenly, leaving you gasping as you all skimmed over ridges and dropped again,into one of the few valleys in Bhutan wide and flat enough to land a plane in. The remarkable and steep descent in the Paro valley is an Awe-inspiring beginning to your adventure.</p><p></p><p>The drive from Paro takes you along Pa Chhu (Chhu mean water or river) downstream to the confluence with the wang chhu, than turn upstream along wang chhu to thimphu.</p><p></p><p>In the afternoon, visit the memorial chorten (stupa) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan. Drive on to the Buddha Terrance and take drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s National animal. Then take a ride to BBS- tower to have bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley. Take a view of the majestic Trashichhodzong, the seat of the government.</p><p></p><p>Overnight: Thimphu</p>

<p>After Breakfast, Visit to Bhutan Post Office, to get a great Souvenir and you get to be famous by getting your face on the legal tender postage stamps and post every where else in the world. Textile Museumserves as the living art of Bhutanese weaving culture. We can feel and experience the unique techniques and styles intricately designed local dress worn by men and women. Visit to National Library, which has a stock of holy scriptures especially on Buddhism. Traditional Handmade Papermaking factory, the paper is made out of inner pulp of daphne and edgeworthia plants. There is a small showroom for the display of products as well as for sale at the factory. Brush shoulder with everyday Bhutanese grocery shopping for local produce at the Centenary Farmer’s Market (Open from Thur-Sun).Take a fascinating tour of the working facility of the National Institute of traditional Medicine that still dispense traditional herbal medicines to the locals.</p><p></p><p>After lunch, we will drive about 2 hours to Punakha. Climb the up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3140m, from where you can experience panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya mountain range on a clear day. On the way, down hill toward Punakha valley, you will see lots of flora and fauna. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman. He came to Bhutan from Tibet in 15th century. The walk will take about one hour (to & fro) to the temple situated on the hillock in the centre of the valley. The Divine madman is popular known for his teaching of Buddhism by the nature of the sex and joked which has made it so unique than others.</p><p></p><p>Overnight: Punakha</p>

<p>After a fairly breakfast, take a mini hike (30-45 min) through beautiful farm land up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal chorten, built by Royal queen mother has had a three-stores chorten built for the protection of they country. It was consecrated in December 1999.</p><p></p><p>We visit Punakha Dzong built strategically at the junction Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1937 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history and is the most impressive dzong in the country.</p><p></p><p>Drive to visit a stunning hill-top nunnery- Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion (Avalokesteshvara)</p><p></p><p>Option: After a fairly early breakfast,we head up to the Mo chhu valley to begin our White water rafting, pulsating grade 2 and 3 excitement (all year round) thrill as we raft along the Mo chhu until our take-out point at the junction of Pho and mo chhu below the Punakha Dzong. Have a relaxing riverside picnic lunch follow by archery, the national sport of Bhutan.</p><p></p><p>Overnight: Punakha</p>

<p>After breakfast we re-cross Dochu la and stopping at Thimphu for lunch and do the remaining sightseeing that are closed and could visit on the first day. Later evening drive to the beautiful valley off Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and home to many Bhutan’s oldest monuments. We take a close view of the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been the national museum of bhutan since 1967. And the Rinpong Dzong, the fortress on the heap of jewel built in 1644.</p><p></p><p>Overnight: Paro</p>

<p>This morning,we will take a short drive to the base of Takstang monastery, the most famous of Bhutan’s Monasteries. It has the most outstanding setting in Bhutan. Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, it defies all engineering logic. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss. For the energetic, hike 2 hours up and get the dramatic view of the monastery. You stop for a rest and light refreshments at the only cafeteria midway.</p><p></p><p>Note: the hike demand a certain level of fitness and a pony ride to the midway can be arrange at additional cost.</p><p></p><p>Later in the evening, we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the Bhutan’s oldest and moat sacred temples. The evening ends with a walk though Paro’s main shopping area and to enjoy a home- cooked dinnerin a local farmhouse for the authentic Bhutanese experience!</p><p></p><p>Overnight: Paro</p>

<p>After breakfast at the hotel, our representative from Bhutan Norwang Travel will escort you at Paro Airport for onward flight to your destination. It is end of your tour.</p>