Shangrila Highlight Tour

Trip Facts.

Duration : 08 Days / 07 Nights

Destination Covered: Paro – Thimphu – Wangdiphodrang (Gangtey / Phobjikha valley) – Punakha.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m) (By Druk Air) – Thimphu (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive)

Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m)

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive)

Day 04: Punakha – Gangtey (Altitude 3120 m) (66 km, 3 hrs)

Day 05: Gangtey – Thimphu: (Altitude 2320 m) (143 km – 6 hrs.)

Day 06: Thimphu – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 58 km, Drive Time 1 hour)

Day 07: Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m)

Day 08: Departure: (Altitude 2280 m

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m) (By Druk Air) – Thimphu (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive):

Your Guide from Exotic Vacations Bhutan will receive you at the Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, view Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m)

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3rd King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan), Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After lunch, visit National Postal Museum, which is worth a visit for you can get your own picture on Bhutanese stamp right then and there. Get a photo clicked then and there or give a photo of your dear ones and you will get personalized stamps in 5 minutes followed by a visit to the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) and Folk Heritage Museum. In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. We stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. Drive further down and visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.

Drive further to Punakha. On the way, view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt” and built the temple on top of a hillock. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.

After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.

Day 4: Punakha – Gangtey (Altitude 3120 m) (66 km, 3 hrs):

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes visit to the Wangdiphodrang Dzong (razed by fire in 2012), & under construction (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of Buddhist religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey.

After lunch, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the Rare Black necked Cranes in winter and visit the Crane Information center. Dinner and overnight in Theckchen Phodrang Guest house or similar.

Day 5: Gangtey – Thimphu: (Altitude 2320 m) (143 km – 6 hrs.)

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch, will be served on the way.

Time permitting, witness the archery match in Changlimithang. In the evening, free for shopping and photography in the town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.

Day 6: Thimphu – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 58 km, Drive Time 1 hour):

After breakfast, drive to Paro and visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.

After lunch, visit to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king

Day 7: Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

After breakfast, drive to the base of the monastery and hike to Taktsang Monastery: a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour walk till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

Day 8: Departure

Departure: (Altitude 2280 m) Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.

Trip Cost Includes

• All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
• Accommodation [Twin Sharing] Single Room Supplement Extra.
• All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
• Royalty & Govt. Taxes.
• Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments.
• Visa Fee.
• English speaking Local guide.
• Sightseeing.

Trip Cost Excludes:

• Air fares.
• Insurance Premiums
• Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
• Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
• Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges, Incidentals, Portage, Bellboy charges tips or any other services.

Complimentary (Kasthamandap Holidays Bhutan)

• One hour culture events will be organized by Kasthamandap Holidays Bhutan for valuable guest (group size exceeding 7 pax)
• A small celebration/events will conducted (Birthday, Anniversary etc.) during guest visit to Bhutan
• The mineral water during sightseeing.