Everest Cultural Tour

Day 1:  Arrival in Paro Airport.

Our representative from Bhutan Everest Tours & Treks will be there to greet you at the airport and transfer you till the hotel

After lunch, visit to:

• Ta Dzong (National Museum) – watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, since 1967 Ta Dzong is serving as the National Museum of the country.
• Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) – built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Food and accommodation will be arranged in Hotel or as per your reservations.

Optional Activities you can choose:

• Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
• Hike to Nunnery.
• Village walk.
• Mountain biking around Paro valley.
• Drive to Chele-la pass to view Higher Himalayas bordering Tibet including Mt. Jomolhari.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing – Thimphu.

After breakfast, visit to:

• Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) – one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900meters above the Paro valley floor.
• The ruins of Drukgyel Dzong – built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.
• Kyichu Lhakhang – the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang).

After lunch, drive to Thimphu.

• On the way, visit to Tamchog Lhakhang – dedicated to the 13th century Thangthong Gyalpo, the bridge builder.
• Dinner and overnight halt in hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha  – Thimphu

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass (3116 meters)

• Dochu-La – You can see the higher Himalayas, if the weather permits(3140 meters)
• Royal Botanical Park.
• Chimi Lhakhang – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humor, songs and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings and due to this he is also known as “The Divine Madman”.
• Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region.

Optional Activities you can choose:

• Village walk.
• Rafting in Pho Chu/ Mo Chu.
• Visit to Talo Monastery.
• Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu

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Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing – Paro.

After breakfast, visit to:

• KuenselPhodrang, which has the tallest statue of sitting Buddha In the world.
• Takin Preserve center: The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat.
• National Memorial Chorten: Built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan.
• Changgangkha Monastery: It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who came from Tibet.
• Nunnery- Zilukha nunnery in Drubthob Goemba,Thimphu  is biggest nunnery in Bhutan. You can see many nuns chanting prayers and turning prayer wheels in Zilukha nunnery.

After lunch, visit to

• TashichhoDzong – built in 1641 and later rebuilt in its present form by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. The Dzong houses, main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
• In the evening, drive to Paro.
• Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Paro.

Optional Activities you can choose:

• Textile Museum
• Bhutanese Cultural show.
• Philatelic office, Handmade Paper factory Gold and Silver smith.
• Talk on Gross National Happiness / Buddhism.
• Hike to Cheri Monastery / Tango Monastery / Phajoding Monastery.
• Village walks at Kabisa.
• Mountain biking around Thimphu.

Day 5: Departure from Paro.

After breakfast drive to Paro airport for your onward flight.