Embark on Bhutan Paro holidays to see numerous historical, religious and cultural places in this enchanting kingdom. Travel to Thimphu after arriving in Paro by a flight, and witness the rich cultural charm of the Bhutanese capital. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, BBS Tower, Changlimithang Stadium in the city, and also shop for local handicrafts. Cross about 10170-feet high Dochula mountain pass on your way to Punakha – the former national capital. On arrival here, visit Punakha Dzong and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, and reach Paro the next morning.

Start the other leg of Bhutan Paro holidays package sightseeing, and visit Ta Dzong. Enjoy a minor hiking excursion to the nearby Rinpung Dzong, and after exploring the old fortress, visit Kyichu Lhakhang and the ruining Drukgyel Dzong. From Paro, undertake a scenic drive across the 13000-feet high Chelela pass to the mesmerising Haa Valley. Return to Paro after admiring the natural beauty of the valley, and board a flight to India from Paro Airport the following morning.

ITINERARY:

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN PARO | PARO TO THIMPHU (51 KM/1.25 HOURS)
Upon landing at Paro Airport, meet our travel agent and travel to Thimphu by road. On reaching the city, transfer to the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.

DAY 02: SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
Have a filling breakfast at the hotel to make your Bhutan Paro holidays worthy with sightseeing around the city. The national capital – Thimphu – is approximately 7500 feet above sea level, and it sits in a serene valley. Mountains, covered with pine trees, characterise the regional landscape, and the Thimphu River flowing below add to the scenic charm. The localities celebrate numerous festivals throughout the year, including the most significant Tsechu.

See large Buddhist texts and an exquisite sculpture of Avalokitesvara at Changangkha Lhakhang. Get a taste of the sporting culture in the kingdom with a visit to the multi-purpose Changlimithang Stadium. See takins (the national animal of Bhutan) at Motithang Takin Preserve, which is a small protected forest with lush, sloping grasslands and pine trees. After getting due permission, ascend to the top floor of the BBS Tower, and admire the scenic Thimphu Valley from here.

Continue the trip in the afternoon, by seeing Tashichho Dzong from outside. It is a huge fortress and Buddhist monastery that now houses the offices of the king and the seat of the government. Learn about the third emperor, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and the various sects of Buddhism practised here at National Memorial Chorten. Keep the memories alive by buying some locally-produced keepsakes at Handicrafts Emporium and other city shops. Later, retire to your hotel room an overnight stay.

DAY 03: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE VIA DOCHULA PASS
After receiving the permit, travel deeper into Bhutan (permit is not issued on weekends and government holidays). Begin the journey to Punakha/Wangdue by driving through the winding mountainous roads. This Bhutan Paro holidays package also includes a refreshment stop atop Dochula pass. Look at snow-covered mountains from up here, and then recommence your journey.

On the way to Punakha/Wangdue, you may explore Chimi Lhakhang and the village of Mehsina. Chimi Lhakhang houses drums, bells, cloth paintings and several ritualistic items. Reach Punakha later in the day, and travel to Punakha Dzong, located at the point where the Puna Tsang Chu and Mo Chu rivers meet. Statues and paintings of Lord Buddha, Padmasambhava and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal are worth seeing here.

Also pay a visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, which offers various religious and vocational courses. The lhakhang or temple in the campus has ornate sculptures of many Buddhist deities. Transfer to the hotel in Punakha/Wangdue after visiting these two sites, and stay overnight.

DAY 04: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO
Check-out from the hotel in the morning, and then travel to the city of Paro by road. On reaching here, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 05: SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN PARO
After breakfast embark on yet another phase of Bhutan Paro holidays sightseeing. View the informative exhibits of the National Museum of Bhutan, housed in the six floors of the cylindrical tower of Ta Dzong. Thereafter, trek to Rinpung Dzong and give your expedition an adventurous dimension. See its main assembly hall, a Bodhi tree in the courtyard, chapels, stupas and temples.

Thereafter, pay homage at Kyichu Lhakhang – constructed way back in the 7th century AD. Also as part of the city trip, see the well-preserved central tower and remains of the masonry walls of Drukgyel Dzong. Following this insightful day, come back to the hotel in the evening for an overnight stay in Paro.

DAY 06: PARO TO HAA VALLEY VIA CHELELA PASS | HAA VALLEY TO PARO
Today, make your Bhutan Paro holidays even more joyful by undertaking an early morning drive to the picturesque Haa Valley.

After an approximately 45-km journey through rhododendrons and blue pines forests, arrive at the summit of Chelela. This mountain pass is situated at an altitude of around 13000 feet, and it offers magnificent views of the entire region. Make your way down to the valley after admiring the views from here. Upon arriving in the Haa Valley, spend some quality time in the lap of nature. Later, return to the hotel in Paro for a good night’s sleep.

DAY 07: DEPARTURE FROM PARO
Savour a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel, and then transfer to the city airport to board your flight to India.