Aarobhutan ! bt

Day 1 – Arrival
Arrival at Paro International Airport by the Royal Bhutan Airlines (Druk Air).You will be received and welcomed by the representative of Aaro Bhutan Travel Company at the exit door. Then the guest will be escorted to hotel, where they will be briefed about the programs. Halt a night at a hotel in Paro (2280m / 7478ft).

Day 2 – Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s nest)
The trip shall begin with a 20 minutes drive till the road head and start uphill walk for about an hour. Taktsang, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, and one of the most venerated pilgrimage site in the Himalayan Kingdom, is perched on the side of the cliff 2950ft above the floor of Paro valley. Taktsang, which means “Tiger’s lair”, is so called because Guru Rimpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 8th century, is said to have arrived at the side in a miraculous manner – flying on the back of a tigress. On our way back we will visit Drukgyel Dzong which was built to commemorate a victory of the Bhutanese over the Tibetan invaders in 1644. We shall also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang built in 7th century, by a Buddhist Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples of Bhutan. Halt a night at a hotel in Paro.

Day 3 – Drive to Chelila and Hike to Kela Gompa
After having early breakfast we will drive to Chelila pass, which is at 13000 ft, is one of the highest road points in Bhutan. Chelila pass offers a breath taking view of the secret Mt. Jhomolhari. We will also hike to Kela Gompa, which is a nunnery located at the base of a cliff. From here we will drive back to hotel. Halt a night at a hotel in Paro.

Day 4 – Sightseeing at Paro and drive to Thimphu
After breakfast we will visit National Museum of Bhutan, housed in an old watchtower (Ta Dzong) overlooking the Paro Dzong. There are spectacular collection of Thangkas (religious scroll paintings), a display of antique weapons and shields. a colorful costume collection, and also the collections of prehistoric artifacts, jewelries and decorative arts. Next we will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. After visiting the dzong we will walk down to the ancient cantilever bridge over the Paro-chu and start our drive towards Thimphu. Halt a night at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5
We shall visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Next we will visit Changangkha Lhakhang the old fortress like temple which was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Next we will visit the mini zoo at Motithang where we can see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, further towards the north; we shall reach at telecom tower where we will have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. After lunch we will visit a nunnery, Institute of traditional arts and crafts, national folk heritage museum and National library. In the evening we will visit few arts and crafts showroom. Halt a night at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 6
After breakfast we will continue our sightseeing in Thimphu. First we will visit the National Textile Museum which was established in June 2001, it is worth a leisurely visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. We will visit Dechenphodrang located at the end of Gaden lam. After lunch we will visit Bhutanese paper factory, Nado poizokhang where the traditional incense tic are being made. Next we will visit the weaving center, Druk casting works where people make religious items and bronze statues; in the evening we shall visit Semtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong of Bhutan built in the year 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan. Halt a night at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 7
After having early breakfast we will drive to Dochu la pass (3000m / 10000ft) where  on a clear day we can have breath taking view of Bhutans Himalayas, including Gangkhar Phuensum (24734ft), the worlds highest unclimbed peak. From the past there is a beautiful trail, which was the trail before the opening of motor roads in Bhutan. We will hike through this trail which will be about an hour. After lunch we will again hike to the devine madmans temple called Chimme Lhakhang or it is popularly known as the temple of fertility. After the hike we will continue our drive to Punakha. Halt a night at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 8:
In the morning we will visit Punakha Dzong, Punakha Dzong was the second of Bhutan’s Dzong. This was built at the confluence of two rivers. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan till 1950.The constructions of Punakha Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted that…a person named Namgyel will arrive at the hill that looks like an elephant. The Zhabdrung visited Punakha and chose the tip of the trunk of the sleeping elephant at the confluence of the Pho-chu and Mo-chu as a place to build the Dzong. It’s not obvious, but with the bit of imagination you may be able to visualize the hill as an elephant. After having the lunch from Punakha we will drive back to Paro, back tracing all the way. Halt a night at a hotel in Paro.

Day 9:
After having a early breakfast from the hotel drive to the paro Airport for your onward flight.