Shangrila Luxury Tour

You will be received upon arrival at Paro International Airport and driven to your hotel. After resting for a while, visit the traditional wooden cantilever bridge below Paro Dzong. Stroll through the Paro town. Overnight in Como Uma, Paro.

Drive to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong (fortress). This Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day one can view the sacred mount Chhomolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Visit also Dungtse Lhakhang, a temple near Paro town, which was built to subdue a demoness.

Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, the National museum housed in an ancient watchtower, which has a fine collection of ancient Thangka painting, textiles, weapons and artifacts.

In the evening, you can visit a farmhouse and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner at the farm house. Overnight in Como Uma, Paro.

The last day of the tour will be a hike to the sacred Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. It is a sacred monastery for the Bhutanese people. Legend has it that the great saint Guru Rinpoche flew to the place on a flying tigress to subdue a demon Singye Samdrup. He mediated at the site for three months. It is one of the most holy sites of Bhutan and it is believed that all Bhutanese must visit it at least once in their life time.

Conclude the day with a hot stone bath experience or a spa/massage experience, which will help you relax and unwind. Overnight in Como Uma, Paro.

The drive from Paro to Thimphu (capital city) goes through beautiful rice terraced fields, and alongside the gushing Pho Chu and Wang Chu rivers.

Afternoon, visit Kuenselphodrang where you will see the 169-feet Buddha statue, which is one of the largest in the world. One will get a magnificent view of Thimphu valley from this view point. Visit also the Memorial Stupa (Chorten) built in 1974 in memory of third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It will be followed by 108 butter lamp offering ceremony for the wellbeing of all sentient beings and which is believed to bring good fortune. Overnight in Hotel Taj Tashi, Thimphu.

Sightseeing in Thimphu includes visit to National Folk Heritage Museum and Insitute of Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts).

Afternoon visit Trashichho Dzong, which houses the King's Throne Room & Government offices. Evening stroll through Thimphu town. Overnight at Hotel Taj Tashi, Thimphu.

(If desired, visit can also be arranged to the National Library, Institute of Traditional Medicines, Textile Museum and Jungshi paper factory.)

After breakfast drive to Punakha over Dochula Pass (3 hours). On a clear day, one can get a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges and also see the Gasa Dzong at a distance. One can also visit the Druk Wangyel Chortens (108 stupas) on the Pass. Visit also Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility.

Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, built at the junction of the two rivers Pho Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river). It is one of the most spectacular dzongs in the country. The Dzong serves as the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. Overnight in Como Uma, Punakha.

Morning hike about one hour to visit the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel temple. You can also enjoy a valley view of Nyizergang and Kabesa village.

Afternoon, drive to Paro. Along the way, you will pass by the magnificent 15th century temple called Taachog Temple (Lhakhang) which was built by a great iron builder Drupthop Thangthong Gyalpo. You can stop at this site to take pictures and take a short walk down to the river and walk across a 15th century old iron chain bridge. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Como Uma, Paro.

The time has come to bid farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and to catch a flight to your onward destination. We hope that you take back a lot of positive spiritual energy and beautiful memories of Bhutan.