BHUTAN LANDSCAPES AND CULTURE

Met at the international airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Peerless Inn or similar.

Transfer to Kolkata airport to board flight for Paro. On arrival drive to Thimphu. En route stop at Chuzom, where Buddhist stupas adorn the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers. On arrival in Thimphu, check-in at your hotel. Later drive to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your respects and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country. In the evening, visit Thimphu main street for an exploratory walk.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from Hotel Kisa, Hotel Migmar, Thimphu Tower, Hotel Gakyil.
Overnight : Amankora Paro Lodge
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Also visit Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the painting school). Visit the National Textile Museum and get an insight into the Simply Bhutan youth project. Take a short drive to Pangri Zampa, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, where students learn astrology based on Buddhist philosophy. Later, visit Trashi Chhoe Dzong, an impressive fortress which houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body. Also visit King's Memorial Chorten, which is continuously circulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. End the day with a visit to an emporium where you can buy hand-woven textiles, paintings, and other interesting items made from local materials.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from Hotel Kisa, Hotel Migmar, Thimphu Tower, Hotel Gakyil.
Overnight : Amankora Paro Lodge
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, drive to the former capital, Punakha via Dochula Pass (3,080 metres) which has spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. After check-in at your hotel, proceed to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers, which serves as the winter residence of the monk body. Later, visit the temple of fertility (approx 1.5 hours walk). In the evening walk leisurely around Punakha village, located on the river bank.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from Dragon Nest Resort, Meri Puensum, Pema Karpo, Drubchhu Resort.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hike up through fields of chillies, cabbages and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu River to Khamsum Yuelley. Visit Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument built by the Queen and consecrated in 1999. Afternoon visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. The complex houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it teaches life skills such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from Dragon Nest Resort, Meri Puensum, Pema Karpo, Drubchhu Resort.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Paro, en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching. Later, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, but now houses the National Museum. Then walk down to visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels), which has a long and fascinating history.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from The Village Lodge, Tashi Phuntshok, Hotel Drukchen, Tashi Namgay Resort.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Visit Taktshang monastery (approximately 5 hours' walk), one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at here, hence it is called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On the way back to Paro, stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. Also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. In the evening, option to walk around the main street and the market area.
Overnight: Choice of hotels from The Village Lodge, Tashi Phuntshok, Hotel Drukchen, Tashi Namgay Resort.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive to the airport for flight to Delhi, where you will connect for your onward travel arrangements.
Meals : Breakfast