Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations covered: Kolkata - Paro - Thimpu - Punakha Day 1 - Kolkata Arrive at Kolkata popularly known as THE CITY OF JOY and transfer to Hotel. Day 2 - Kolkata  Kolkata, capital of West Bengal is the nerve centre of intellectual and human values where many modern movements began in literature, art, cinema, theatre, science, politics and industry.
Full day city tour visiting Howrah Bridge major - landmark of the city of joy. This hanging bridge is an architectural marvel of the country. The recently built Vidyasagar Setu, another architectural marvel, connects both the banks of the Hooghly River. Move onto Victoria Memorial built of White Marble. It was opened by Prince of Wales in 1924 and has a statue of Queen Victoria with other innumerous exhibits. Visit the Indian Museum and drive past Dalhousie Square, St. Paul\'s Cathedral, National Library, Shaheed Minar, Eden Garden, Fort William and city centre.
Optional visit to Mother Teresa\'s home of Charity.
Overnight at Hotel. Day 3 - Kolkata / Paro  Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan National Air Carrier. The green wall of hills known as dooars, or gateway into Bhutan from the plains climbs continuosely higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, lookdown and u will see the paro Dzong over looking paro chu river with Ta Dzong,watch tower, now national museum, above it.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 4 - Paro  Enjoy a morning hike through a forest of oak, blue pine and rhododendron, to visit the monastery known as Taktsang, or the Tiger’s Nest”. Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan World. On your way to Taktsang, you will see the famous 7th cettury Kyichu
Lhakhang, a temple said to be built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. In the afternoon, you will be driven up the valley, with a stopover at the 7th. century Kyichu Lhakhang, before you view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong.
Also visit a traditional farmhouse for an insight into the lifestyle of the people from the Hidden Kingdom, before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay Day 5 - Paro / Thimpu (54 km / 2hrs)  After B/F drive to Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago.
Along the way see the 7th century Kyichu Lhakang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, origionally built as watch tower but now National museum.
Over night stay in Thimphu, The capital of Bhutan.
Day 6 - Thimpu  After breakfast you will be driven 12 km north of thimpu for a 45 minute hke to the Tango Monastry. Tango is the centre of higher Buddhist study for monks. It is built by the “Divine Madman.” In the 15th Century. After your hike, you will be driven back to thimpu and spend the afternoon at leisure, with dinner.
overnight stay at the hotel. Day 7 - Thimpu / Punakha (76 km / 3 hrs)  After B/F, sightseeing of Thimpu valley, which includes, visit to national library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.
Afternoon visit to Tashichhodzong, “fortress of the glorious dharma.”It is the centre of government and religion, site of king’s Throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot.
Also visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuosly circumbulated by his Late Majesty’s subjects, spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras.
Evening visit to Handicrafts Emporium and local shops. Then drive to Punakha across Dochula (10500 feet ).
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha. Day 8 - Punakha / Paro  Morning visit punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It is the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serve as the winter residence of the monk city.
After lunch proceed to Paro en route visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people and their culture.
On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 9 - End of Tour The tour concludes after breakfast, when you will be transferred to paro airport for your ownward flight back to home. Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations covered: Kolkata - Paro - Thimpu - Punakha Paro Introduction  This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum.
The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields. Thimphu Introduction  The capital town of Bhutan, and the center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a lively place, interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu is distinctive in its architectural style.
Punakha Introduction  Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo. Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. There are splendid views from Dochu-la pass on the Thimphu - Punakha road.
Punakha Dzong
Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. The dzong is open for visitors during the Punakha festival and in the summer months, after the monk body has returned to Thimphu. |
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