(It was changed from 7 days to 6 days as I was sick in BKK and delayed for 1 day to Paro)
Day 1 - Arrival. Paro - Thimphu (Thimphu's Hotel Phuntsho Pelri)
Day 2 - Thimphu - Dochula Pass - Punakha (Punakha's Meri Puensum Resort)
Day 3 - Punakha - Wangdue - Dochula Pass (Dochula Pass Resort)
Day 4 - Docula Pass - Thimphu - Paro (Paro's Gangtey Palace Hotel)
Day 5 - Paro (Paro's Gangtey Palace Hotel)
Day 6 - Paro city - Departure
Day 1 (Sunday)
- Arrive Paro Airport.
- Then proceed to Thimphu, the capital city, 46 miles and 1 hour away. With a population of about 85,000, it is like no other capital city – the valley is unique, displaying harmony of tradition and modernity. There are no traffic lights and policemen direct traffic at intersections. Yet it is the biggest city in the country and seat of the government as well as the main hub of commerce in the country.
- Lunch at Karma's Coffee (with free wifi)
- Go to Big Buddha Site
- Then go to Tashichoe Dzong. Initially a smaller structure in 1641 but enlarged to its current size by Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. It houses some ministries, the secretariat, the Golden Throne of the King and His Majesty’s office.
- Weekend market. The whole of the valley descends to the market for fresh produce from the countryside. It also has textile and handicraft section you will find worth a visit.
- Dinner at Hotel Phuntsho Pelri
Accomodation: Hotel Phuntsho Pelri
Day 2 (Monday)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- The Institute of Traditional Medicine, where the ancient art of Bhutanese healing system called Sowa Rigpa is still practiced. The institute also serves as a research and training center. The institute has an exhibition room that imparts excellent look into the tradition.
- The School of Traditional Arts and Crafts. The school offers an eight-year course in the techniques of traditional art in religious and secular paintings, woodcarving, clay sculpture and traditional mask making.
- Exchange Nu at Bank of Bhutan & buy stamps & postcards at Post Office.
- Proceed to Dochula Pass
- Lunch at Dochula Pass Resort, in the right season, offers vista of blooming giant magnolias, fields of rhododendrons, mountain lilies, primolas orchids and many other flowers.
- After lunch, an hour and half downhill from here will bring us to the Punakha/Wangdue valley at 1200 meters.
- A short rest take a short hike (30 minutes) through farm houses and paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Divine Madman. It is a popular fertility blessing temple.
- Dinner at Meri Punesum Resort
Accomodation: Meri Punesum Resort
Day 3 (Tuesday)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- In the morning visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, on a strategic junction at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Punakha Dzong has played a hallowed role in history of Bhutan. It served as the seat of Shabdrung’s government, several foreign delegations were received here in 18th and 19th century, the election and coronation of the first King was observed 1907 and the Third King convened the first National Assembly in the Dzong. The central monastic body continues to reside here in winter. The embalmed bodies of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Pema Lingpa are kept on the top floor of the main tower.
We will visit the main assembly hall of the monks – Hall of Hundred Pillars, richly adorned with giant statues, frescoes, carvings and metal work, one of the best showcase of Bhutanese artisans.
- Lunch at Amankora Punakha and a quick tour of the hotel
- In the afternoon drive to other side of the valley to Wangdue town. The town was requested to be closed on August 31, 2011.
- Dinner at Dochula Pass Resort
Accomodation: Dochula Pass Resort
Day 4 (Wednesday)
- Get up at 5AM to catch the first rays of Sun on the peaks as it glows amber to shiny white with increasing brightness. You can catch good views from both the hotel and the pass a kilometer away.
- Breakfast at Hotel
- After breakfast, go to 108 chortens
- Tthen drive to Thimphu
- Hike to Tango Buddhist College. The valley itself is about and 14 kilometers from proper Thimphu from where it will require about 40 minutes hike to reach the complex.
- Lunch at Season Pizza and go around the Thimphu main street
- Buy freshly made bread at Big Bakery
- Proceed to Paro
- Dinner at Gangtey Palace Hotel
Accomodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel
Day 5 (Thursday)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- After breakfast, go to Paro main street to buy more stationery to the students
- Visit Taju Primary School (near Gangtey Palace Hotel)
- Shopping at Paro main street
- Lunch at Dagmar Restaurant
- After lunch, get changed of Bhutanese gho & kira
- Visit Farmhouse
- Visit the National Museum, an excellent way of introduction to the country, housed in a circular Watchtower from the 17th century.
- Lastly, visit 8th century Kyichu temple with beautiful art work.
- Back to Dagmar Restaurant to undress the gho & kira
- Dinner at Dagmar Restaurant
Accomodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel
Day 6 (Friday)
- Last day in Bhutan (but our flight was delayed for 3 hours)
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Take Photos at Hotel (lookout of Paro City)
- Farewell Guide at Paro Airport (coz he has another group coming to Bhutan)
- Last minute shopping at Paro main street
- Hotel Check-out
- Light lunch at Dagmar Restaurant
- Proceed to Paro Airport
(Due to the flight delay, we have a complimentary meal inside the airport.)
