Bhutan Cultural Vacation Package: Thimphu, Punakha, & Paro

Monks

After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and you’ll visit the weekend market, where the locals from the surrounding villages come to sell their produce. They sell their goods, and in return, they buy their necessities. Then, visit the traditional handmade paper mill and the School of Arts & Crafts, where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan.

Afterward, proceed towards the Folk Heritage Museum, which explains what a traditional house was like in the olden days. Later, visit the National Library, which houses a collection of rich Bhutanese religious texts and contemporary Buddhist teachings from masters worldwide. Drive further to see the Dechenphodrang monastery school and meet the young monks.

Later, carry on with your drive to Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them. Take a break and walk around the newly built 108 stupas and continue to the sub-tropical valley of Punakha, offering different vegetation. En route, just before arriving at the hotel, take a nice hike through the paddy field and old village to visit Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility associated with the religious art of phallus. Once you reach the hotel, complete the check-in formalities and unwind. At night, have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

Punakha Dzong

Arise early and walk up to the hilltop to visit the nunnery, interact with the nuns and enjoy the magnificent view of Punakha and Wangdi Valley. Later, return to the hotel, have breakfast, complete the check-out formalities and hit the roads to reach Paro. En route, visit Punakha Dzong (fortress), which houses the most elaborate temple in the country.

Then, retrace your drive back to Paro. Upon arrival in Paro, complete the check-in formalities and unwind. Later in the day, visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and walk through the oldest wooden bridge. Further, stroll around the old Paro town and peep into local handicraft stores. Try to grab the opportunity to see the traditional game, archery match going on in the city. Afterward, return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Paro Valley

Today, the day is reserved for a sightseeing tour of Paro. After breakfast, you’ll get on a drive to the base for the hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. On the way back, if your time and energy permit, visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, which marks the beginning of Buddhism in the country. Here, hot stone baths are available at an additional cost. Further, retreat to the hotel for a farewell dinner with your guide and an overnight stay.

This is the last day of your Bhutan tour. Wake up, have breakfast, pack your belongings and complete the check-out formalities. Then, you’ll get an assisted transfer to the airport to board a flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, connect your flight for an onward journey.