Family Vacation with Cultural Pursuit

Day 01 : Paro

Fly into Paro via Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines the only two airlines in the country. If you get a seat on the left side of the plane and the weather cooperates, you might have spectacular views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including peaks in Bhutan such as Jomolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang. After clearing customs and immigration, your guide will receive you and drive to town for lunch. We’ll visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong. The museum’s collections include displays of spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, Bhutan’s beautiful stamps, and the Tshogshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Tree of Wisdom), with its carvings depicting the history of Buddhism. Time permitting; we will also visit the Paro Dzong itself, built in 1644 by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Overnight at Paro Penlop Homestay

Built in late 18th century by the 23rd Paro Penlop (Governor), the heritage farmhouse offers Homestay programs, traditional meals and hot stone baths. Several antique items including the governor’s personal swords and shields, household equipments used by the governor are also displayed in the farmhouse providing an illustration of the life of the governor’s family and the fabric of ancient Bhutanese life.

You can indulge in the traditional game of archery or darts; staying with a host family is a great way to travel for young people

Day 02: Paro – Thimphu

Morning we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. In morning we can visit Buddha point, where you get to see the world largest statue of Buddha. If you are in an energetic mood , you can take a hike from Buddha Point till Changangkha Lhakhang through a forest.

In the afternoon we will visit some of the sites in town. These may include Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan's administrative and religious center; the Traditional Hospital of Herbal Medicine; school that trains students to paint, sculpts, and carves religious artwork; the National Memorial Chorten where you may encounter lot of local Bhutanese.

In the evening you can stroll around Craft Bazaar.

Overnight at modern homestay popularly called as Kuenrab cottage.

Day 03 :Thimphu – Punakha

Morning we will drive across the Dochu La pass at 10,000 feet, where we might view the snow-covered peaks of the eastern Himalaya (weather permitting). The pass is marked by hundreds of colorful fluttering prayer flags and is an awesome sight. Continue to Punakha, winter seat of the highest lama in Bhutan until the 1950s.Lunch on the way. After lunch we will hike to Chimmi Lhakhang and visit Punakha Dzong.

You can also try white water rafting.

Overnight At Traditional Homestay, located in Sopsakha village. If interested you can participate with the host in preparing traditional Bhutanese Food.

Day 04 : Punakha - Bumthang (7 – 8hours drive)

Drive to Bumthang takes appro.7 - 8 hrs. Stop lunch at Chendepji. After passing through the domain of yak, sheep and short bamboo brush, past the Nikkarchu bridge is the Trongsa district; as you approach Trongsa you cannot miss viewing the never reaching Trongsa Dzong in the distance, visible yet elusive before you actually get near it. It used to be the old gateway between the east and the west. The Dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is the masterpiece in architecture. From Trongsa drive to Bumthang takes approximately 2 ½ hrs. Tales of great teacher Guru Rimpoche dominates this holy valley. From the view point you can see Jakar Dzong “The castle of the white bird “.

Farm House Stay in Nasiphel, Bumthang. You will be warmly welcomed into a large but cozy farmhouse made of stone, clay, and wood, and would be invited to relax in a private room carved out of blue pine.  Butter tea and biscuits will undoubtedly be served, devoured with delight on the floor beside a crackling wood burning stove

Day 05 :Bumthang

Bumthang is the cultural heart of Bhutan and is considered the most beautiful valley in the country, a haven for hikers and religious pilgrims. Numerous monasteries and pilgrimage sites are located here, making it the cultural and historic center of Bhutan. One could spend months exploring this fascinating valley: almost every little valley or hill has a background of interesting myths and legends.

Bumthang is dotted with the religious relics left by the famous Guru Rimpoche and his reincarnation, the Treasure-Finder, Terton Pema Lingpa, who is known to have found the sacred Ters of Buddhist texts after diving into Membartsho Lake (which we will visit on an optional hike). Places of interest are the Jakar Dzong, the Jambey and Tamshing Lhakhangs, two of the oldest temples dating as far back as the 7th century, and Kurje Lhakhang. While in Bumthang, we will visit the many temples and monuments of this picturesque valley.

Overnight At Naspihel Farm house stay.

Day 06 : Bumthang - Punakha

After breakfast we’ll retrace much of our route across the country to Wangdue Phodrang, the site of an impressive monastery perched on a promontory above the river. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is noted for its silver-shingled roof and narrow courtyards with long balconies.

Half an hour from Wangdue, you will reach Punakha. If time permits we can visit suspension bridge.

Overnight at Dumra Farm Resort . Located on a small mountain hill from where you can get a splendor view of Punakha Fortress & Punakha river

Day 07 :Punakha - Paro

Drive back to same road via Dochula pass. Stop for lunch at Thimphu . Before proceeding to Paro, we can visit Bhutan postal office, where you can witness a wide and splendid collection of Bhutanese stamps the moment you step in. If you are a stamp collector, this might just be the place for you. Also, another fun thing Philatelic Bureau would be that you can get your picture clicked on the spot and the staff can get them printed on a stamp set (fee required). You can also get postcards for your family and friends back home.

On the way we can stop at Tachogang Lhakang which carries the aura of medieval period.

Overnight at Paro Penlop heritage.

Day 08 : Tiger Nest Hike

Hike to Taktshang Monastery, one of the holiest and the most beautiful sites of Bhutan.  Taktshang, the tiger’s lair, acquires its name from the legend of its foundation, when in the 8th Century Guru Rimpoche, widely revered as the second Buddha, arrived from Tibet flying across the mountains on the back of a tigress.

Later after a long hike you can soak yourself in traditional hot stone bath over a game of local Archery. Evening free or can visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

Day 09 :Departure

Departure from Paro International Airport