Bhutan Thunder Dragon Tour

Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our one of the representative who may be your tour guide throughout your tour.

Then drive to Thimphu, on arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after refreshment visits the following:

• Kuensel Phodrang and visit the tallest Buddha statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
• National Memorial Chorten, Chorten literally means ' seat of faith' and Buddhists often call such monuments the 'Mind of Buddha'. Meet the elderly local in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.

Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.

• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
  
  
• Craft Bazaar -A one-stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft products. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.

Altitude 2334 m

Meals Lunch & Dinner.

Accommodation Hotel

After breakfast visit following place:

Institute for Zorig Chusum
commonly-known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.

Coronation Park
Located on the banks of the river (near the city stadium), this 5.6 acres of parkland offer a pleasant and relaxing environment to stroll or to sit and watch the river flow by.

The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim)
It is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of rural life. The principal exhibit in the museum is a restored three-story traditional rammed mud and timber house, which dates back to the mid-19th century. The design and form of the house are that of an average household in the Wang area during that era. The age of the structure demonstrates the durability and performance of the building materials. From ground to the top floor, household objects, typical domestic tools, and equipment that would have been used by a family during that period are put on display. The museum is also developing some of the native trees and plants that were used for various domestic purposes in rural households.

Changangkha Lhakhang
It is a fortress-like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads. From the temple courtyard, there is a fascinating view of the Thimphu valley.

Weekend Market
Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where weekend market is held. It is an interesting place to visit and provides an opportunity to mingle with the local people.

Altitude 2334 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Hotel

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass 3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 Chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.

Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.

On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (Male River) and the Mochu (Female River). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region.  At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork.

In the evening visit Rinchengang & Lobesa villages where you will take a short walk through the village and have free interaction with the villagers.

Altitude 1242 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Hotel

After breakfast travel to Paro. On arrival at Paro check into your hotel and visit the following:

National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

• Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro River is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the "second Buddha."). From the dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, the oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.
  
  
• In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.

Altitude 2200 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Hotel

After breakfast, drive to Paro which takes about 1 hr and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from ViewPoint, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive back to the hotel. On the way visit Kyichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.

Altitude 2980 m

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Hotel

In the morning after breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.

Altitude 2200 m

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation No