Bhutan Culture 6-Nights 7 Days Tour:

After our arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, our
representative/staff will pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel. We can take
rest and later visit the company office in Thamel, a popular tourist hub. However, there
will be a welcome dinner in the evening where we get to experience excellent Nepalese
cuisine.

After breakfast, we begin our tour of four amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These
include the architecturally rich Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati
Nath, the interesting ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and Buddha Nath Stupa which
is one of the largest stupas in the world. After completing our tour late in the
afternoon, we drive to the office for a brief meeting about our trek and
get to know our team leader (guide) and fellow travelers.

Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains and lush valleys. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), the National Museum and the Paro town. Your Bhutanese guide from Experience Bhutan Travel will receive you at the airport & welcome you to Bhutan. After completing the formalities, you will drive through the fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu. A mixture of rice fields, apple orchards, and farmhouses. After passing the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers, the road ascends and the valley turns into a narrow gorge before widening out at Namseling, and soon the quaint shrubs of Thimphu begin to appear. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is the only large settlement in Bhutan. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress, and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. Depend on the time you can stroll in the town, buy a souvenir from Bhutan as you like. Overnight at the Hotel. LD ( Lunch& Dinner)

Following your breakfast, you enjoy a full day of sightseeing that includes: Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother AshiPhuntshoChhoden in 1974. Buddha Point: it is 10 min drive from the city on top of a knoll overlooking the Thimphu valley. The statue of Buddha Dordenma is erected very recently which is the tallest in Bhutan at 51m. National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays a wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. National Institute for ZorigChusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). The Royal Government of Bhutan has sponsored and established this national institute in the year 1971 mainly to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country’s economy through quality products and services. In the course of history, Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts & crafts. Mini Zoo: You can see visit this place to see the national animal of Bhutan called ‘takin’. On your way back, visit Nunnery and photography of the main secretariat building named Tashichhodzong. This biggest fort of Bhutan was built in 1648. Ii houses monk body, King’s throne room, and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Folk Heritage Museum: One of the oldest houses in Thimphu, having been restored and transformed into Folk Heritage Museum in the year 2001 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo. This museum is meant to serve an account of everyday rural life for the young urbanized generations and as a place for preserving objects related to this life, in case this way of life disappears as time passes. In the afternoon, drive back to Paro via the same road. Overnight at the hotel.BLD

Following breakfast, drive 10km north through the beautiful valley of Paro and hike to Taktsang (tiger’s Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. In the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru DorjeDrolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17th century, the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger’s lair in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage center for Buddhists from all over the world. It was completely burnt down in 1998 and re-built with help from Bhutan government, individual donors and financial support from other nations. It takes 2 -3 hours ascend till the monastery at a slow pace and 1 hour descends to the valley. Stop at tourism café situated half for refreshment. On your way back, you again stop at the café for lunch. After lunch, continue to walk down to the bottom of the valley where your vehicle is waiting. Drive further north and visit the DrukgyelDzong (fortress of victorious Drukpas). It was burnt in 1951 by the tilting of butter lamp in the middle of the night so in present days it remains as ruins preserved as a monument. It was built in 1647 after Bhutan stand victorious against Tibetan invasion. On your way back, visit KichuLhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred temple in Bhutan built in the 7th century by Tibetan king SongtsenGompo. The legend says that he built 108 temples throughout the Himalayan regions in a single day to subdue the demoness who was terrorizing the whole of the Himalayan region. Drive to visit Ta-dzong (national museum) an ancient tower, which served as a watchtower to the Paro RinpongDzong until 1968 when it was converted into a museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll painting), ancient artifacts dating from 7th century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, temple with tree of wisdom depicting the history of Buddhism, collection of animals, birds & butterflies and the good collection of ancient armors such as canons, guns, shield, bows & arrows, spears etc. After the museum, drive back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Farewell dinner with cultural show and session to attire in Bhutanese traditional dress for photography.

Following breakfast, drive to the airport for your onward flight. Your guide will assist with your baggage, bid you farewell and wish you a safe journey back to Kathmandu.