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The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. Arrive at Paro International Airport from Kathmandu/Bangkok / Delhi. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 2320 metres. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent TamchhogLhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. We will visit the revered Memorial Chorten, the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. The huge 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO - THIMPHU The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. Arrive at Paro International Airport from Kathmandu/Bangkok / Delhi. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 2320 metres. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent TamchhogLhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. We will visit the revered Memorial Chorten, the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. The huge 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. In the afternoon, visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin, BBS Tower and Nunnery. Browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum. Then visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. Visit the Jungshi Handmade Paper factory, which produces traditional Bhutanese paper from the daphne bush. Later visit TashichhoDzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room and offices of the King. If you would like to view or buy Bhutanese handicrafts you may like to visit the new market opposite Taj Tashi hotel which has an array of stalls run by local handicraft shops selling purely homemade articles with no imports n the afternoon, visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion In the afternoon, visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Evening is at leisure. Overnight is at Hotel in Thimphu

Breakfast is at hotel. After breakfast, the morning is drive to Paro and hike to Taktsang Monastery (approx. 5 hours walk including both ways). The Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. The hike to the monastery can be broken down into various stages. The first stage is the trek to the cafeteria (where lunch will be served later today) which is situated on a rocky outcrop across a ravine from the monastery. This leg of the trek takes approximately 45-60 minutes. The 2ndstage of the walk is from the cafeteria to the lookout opposite the monastery. This leg takes close to one hour. The 3rdstage is the trek/climb down the 475 steps in the cliff face to the bottom of the ravine which crosses over a stream and waterfall before the path again ascends another 300 odd steps to the entrance of the monastery. trek/climb down the 475 steps in the cliff face to the bottom of the ravine which crosses over a stream and waterfall before the path again ascends another 300 odd steps to the entrance of the monastery. Once here you should be able to enter into the monastery and view the cave where ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal meditated (cameras are not allowed inside the monastery). The visit and climb to the entrance and back to the lookout will take approximately one hour. KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is JambeyLhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. AshiKesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern. Overnight is at Hotel in Paro.

trek/climb down the 475 steps in the cliff face to the bottom of the ravine which crosses over a stream and waterfall before the path again ascends another 300 odd steps to the entrance of the monastery. Once here you should be able to enter into the monastery and view the cave where ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal meditated (cameras are not allowed inside the monastery). The visit and climb to the entrance and back to the lookout will take approximately one hour. KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is JambeyLhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. AshiKesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern. Overnight is at Hotel in Paro. DAY 03: DEPART PARO Early Breakfast is at hotel. Transfer to Paro Airport for flight to onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell. Inclusion: • Kathmandu to paro to Kathmandu in flight. • 3 star Hotel accommodation. • Dinner at Hotel. • Lunch at restaurant (in sightseeing period) • English Speaking Guide. • Private Luxury Vehicle. • Mineral water bottle and tea, coffee • Visa for tours • Entrance and monuments fees. • Kathmandu pickup from hotel to airport. • Pickup and drop in Kathmandu.