LUXURY TRAVEL PACKAGE: 7 DAYS,

Tour Overview

• Day 1: Arrive Bhutan – Thimphu
• Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing
• Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
• Day 4: Punakha valley
• Day 5: Punakha – Paro
• Day 6: Tiger’s nest monastery hike
• Day 7: Departure

Day 1: Arrival At Paro And Drive To Thimphu

Altitude: 2,320 meters

Fly into Paro by any of our two airlines. The great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather. As the plane approaches Bhutan.

After pick up you will drive to Thimphu (Altitude: 2200m; Driving time: 1 Hour). Choice: Drive to Six sense Hotel , start your sightseeing or go for meal at a restaurant in city.

• Built in 1974, the National Memorial Chorten, Chorten literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often called such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.
• The folk heritage museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese way of life. The museum gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households; it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children
• Visit the local Post office where we have some of the rare and prize winning stamps which are mad in Bhutan. Here you can also make your own personalized stamps with you photo on it.
• Centenary farmers market, located in the center of the city, where farmers sell their farm produces (vegetables, fruits, cereals, spices, wild vegetable collections, livestock products etc and free interaction with local people who come shopping to this market, especially on weekends. You can buy some organic fruits from the market.

If you wish to, you can visit the popular coffee café in the city, Coffee culturae is still at its infancy is Bhutan but many experts and young office goers now started the coffee habits in the kingdom.

In the evening visit, Tashi Chhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the centerof government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without architectural plan.

After a scroll though the city, you can drive to your hotel with is around 40 minutes from the city center. Thimphu Six senses Hotel is located away from the city, on top of a ridge which overlooks the valley and is facing the massive Buddha statue. The property is located in a pine forest and apples orchards.

You will have a nice stay at your suite and enjoy delicious cuisine at the Hotel.

Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing

[We will arrange a beautiful Bhutanese dress set for you to select, you can wear the dress and go for the sightseeing, your guides are very good photographers]

Today after a nice breakfast at six sense we continue the sightseeing. The full day Thimphu sightseeing includes visit to the following:

• Visit Buddha Point and offer your prayers to the largest Bronze Buddha statue (51.5 meters) in the country and walk around to enjoy the great view of Thimphu valley below.
• (We will plant a sapling each at the Buddha Park, the park is the same spot where Bhutan broke a record by planting 50,000 saplings in an hour .Planting of tree sapling is considered as the biggest merit).
• The Institute of Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School)
• Takin Preserve which houses the national animal- takin which is found only in Bhutan. Takin is an extremely rare member of goat family.
• Changangkha lhakhang/temple, this traditional Bhutanese temple perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, originally from Ralung in Tibet. Parents come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children.
• Pangrizampa School of Astrology/Monastery (optional): You can have your astrology read here, Located in North of Thimphu at about 30 minutes drive from the main town, this monastery, now a College of Bhutanese Astrology is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It was founded in the 16th century; Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (Unifier of Bhutan)

In the late evening drive back to the Hotel and dinner at six senses and relax.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha

• Altitude: 1,300 meters
• Distance: 71 km
• Estimated driving time: 2 hrs

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088 m/10,130ft).

Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Azhi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Situated just above Dochula stupas there are some beautiful caved made in the forest, you can hike there and meditate for a while in the beautiful natural calmness.

After coffee and snacks being served at the Dochula cafeteria, dive to Punakha. Lunch will be served at the restaurant which is situated at Sobsokha village overlooking the famous chimi Lhakhang temple.

You should try some of the delicious organic meals cooked in some of the famous cafeterias which caters to locals and tourist alike , therefore we make sure you don’t miss the delicious meals which Bhutan has to offers to all travellers.

After lunch walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20 minute’s walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang. Also known as the “Fertility Temple,” the single building site was originally built in 1499 on a short hill that had been blessed by rogue Buddhist leader Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman.” Drupa Kunley, also known as “The Saint of 5,000 Women” worked overtime to spread enlightenment through an active sex life.

He was known to live a truly bacchanal lifestyle full of wine, women, and poetry. He is also credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, hence the common phallic imagery found throughout the country. The phallus became Drupa Kunley’s symbol, signaling both fertility and the power to bring enlightenment to those who… learned from its teachings. Because of this, his penis as a symbol is sometimes known as the “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom.”

Travel onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river The 400 years oid Punakha Dzong, also known as the Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong, literally translates to the ‘palace of great happiness or bliss.’

Overnight at Six sense resort, the resorts offers a sweeping views of the valley filled with rice paddy fields and dotted with traditional farm hours.

Day 4: Punakha Valley Tour

Today after Breakfast we will drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. We will drive to upper Punakha via Punakha Dzong for a short Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Temple located at the upper Punakha Valley. It was built in 1990ies sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha valley with amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.

It was built by the Queen Mother to ward off evil forces and bring peace and harmony for all living beings. It is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. It is located about 30 minutes’ drive from the town and a 45 minutes uphill hike from the base of the hill through rice fields. On the return walk there is an option to hike along the riverside, following the ancient trail that goes through farmlands, village homes and arrive near Punakha.

This additional hike takes about two hours and in particular worth for birding and to enjoy the country side views.

Optional I: River Rafting (only if there are more than 3 pax): When coming back from the hike, if you want to experience river rafting then you can tell guide to arrange it. It will take almost two hours and you can pay to them directly (US$ 120 for a raft/ 7 pax excluded in the package).

Optional II: Visit the old monastery in upper punakha. Located far away from the Punakha valley, there is yet another private monastery where many monks study and live. We can visit the monastery and have a ceremony in the temple. If you wish to, you can also request the monks to do some special ceremony and also dance rituals in the Buddhist mask costume (US$ 350 minimum of can provide any donation to the monks directly).

Visit longest suspension bridge. Linking Punakha Dzong to Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha villages across the Tsang Chu River (aka Po Chu), this is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan. Yet, for a roughly 520-foot-long suspension bridge, it’s surprisingly stable. The bridge offers a spectacular view of the river and valley, and the east bank is a good starting point for multi-day treks in the nearby mountains. in Punakha the later, drive to Wangdue town and walk through nearby village.

Day 5: Punakha/Wangdue – Paro

After breakfast, we will drive to Paro. Visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism.

To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon

Paro Rinpung dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. Visit Taa dzong which was built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong.

This dzong was converted into the National museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor. Six Senses Paro is situated at an elevation of 2,900 meters/9,500 ft, next to a 15th century ruined fortress. The stone ruins and breathtaking views of the valley below provide a dramatic backdrop to your stay. There are pleasant walks through pine forests as well as small and little- known monasteries well worth a visit just a few minutes’ walk from the lodge.

This evening treat yourself to a cocktail on the patio at sunset before dinner at Jangkho, where we’ll serve a delicious menu that incorporates ingredients from our Six Senses organic farm.

Day 6: A Day Hike To Paro Taktsang Monastery

After breakfast, drive up to the base camp of Taktsang and then hike up to the most famous Monastery in the entire kingdom of Bhutan perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to the viewpoint will take about an hour and it will take 2 hours to the monastery.

The legend of Taktshang (Tiger’s lair) evolved form 747 AD when Guru Padmasmbhava chose a cave on a sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming a wrathful form, Guru Dorji Drolo, astride a tigress, subdued athe evil spirits n the locality. Taktshang thus became one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan Buddhist world. Lunch at the viewpoint or at Paro town.

Later sightseeing in town and Kyichu Lhakhang. The 1300 years old Jo Jampa Temple, dates back to the 7th century. According to the Bhutanese legend, Songtsen Gempo, the first Buddhist King of Tibet, established a temple here on the left knee of an ogress in order to subdue her. The temple was restored in the 19th century and a similar one was added in 1968 by Ashi Kesang, the grand Queen Mother of Bhutan.

In the temple, you will be given some special holy thread for long life and also for good fortune. After all the sightseeing’s are completed, we will stop in the main paro town for a while for coffee break and last minute souvenir shopping.

Overnight at six sense with a beautiful meal in your suite.

Day 7: Depart From Paro

Accordingly with the departure (flight time) time, the guide and driver will escort you to the Airport.

If you flight is early, you will be provided packed breakfast so that you can have at the airport (In flight you will also be served meals).

End Of Tour