Thimphu Paro Punakha in 6 Days

TRAVEL ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrival at Paro and transfer to Thimphu

After arrival meet & greet at Paro Airport. We will be driving through the Thimphu – Paro highway (50 km, one and a half hours) to reach Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital & largest city of Bhutan. After checking in to your hotel take some rest. Free evening. Overnight at Thimphu (Altitude 2334 meters).

DAY 2 Thimphu Full-Day Sightseeing

After breakfast start from the hotel for local sightseeing. Today we will visit the following places.
Tashichho Dzong – is the Buddhist Monastery and fortress. This is a historical structure & one of the most beautiful landmarks in Thimphu. It is the present secretariat and the King’s office, as it serves as the finance & home affairs ministers’ office too. This is a favourite place for photographers.
Folk Heritage Museum – This is a 3 storied museum that showcases Bhutanese culture & their standard of living, rural household artefacts, equipment, objects & tools. Except for government holidays, the museum is open every day.
National Textile Museum – Located in the main town, you can see the evolution of the textile industry in Bhutan and there is on-premise weaving by womenfolk.
National Handicraft Emporium – is run by the Bhutan government. It is like a museum cum selling counter for local artefacts. Next to the emporium, there are stalls managed by local Bhutanese people where local artefacts are sold.
Motithang Takin Preserve – Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is a unique goat-antelope that can only be found in Bhutan and its immediate surrounding area. The Takin Reserve is situated in the Motithang area of Thimphu.
BBS Tower – This is a viewpoint above the town offering a panoramic view of the Thimphu Valley. BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) or Sangaygang as it is locally called runs the radio &television network of the entire country.
National Memorial Chorten – This is a memorial stupa, also known as the Thimphu stupa. This is considered a holy place by the locals. The Chorten is located in the main city itself.
Buddha Point, KuenselPhodrang – This is the largest Sitting Buddha statue in the World. It was built as recently as 2015. The place is just 10 minutes drive from the heart of Thimphu town.
Then back to the Hotel. After completing dinner take a sweet sleep with good memories. Overnight Stay in Thimphu.

DAY 3 Thimphu to Punakha 86 km, 3 hours.

After breakfast transfer to Punakha via Dochula Pass. Punakha is a valley situated at an altitude of about 1200 meters. The place is famous for the picturesque Punakha Dzong (fort). On the way to Punakha take a break at Dochula Pass which offers a clear view of the Himalayan mountains. You can also stop over at the Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri. This is the first Botanical park in Bhutan and is located about 15 Minutes drive away from DoChula Pass.
On arrival at Punakha check into the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Punakha.

DAY 4 Sight Seeing around Punakha and return to Paro in about 3.5 hours, 130 km

In the morning we will take you to the Punakha Dzong, the main attraction of Punakha. The fort is located in a very calm and peaceful surrounding with two rivers Pho chu (Father River) & Mo chu (Mother River) flowing on its two sides. The two rivers meet here to form river Puna Tsang Chu. The same river reaches India with the name of Sankosh. The Punakha Dzong is very famous for its architectural & wooden work.
The Suspension Bridge – The longest walking hanging bridge in Bhutan is around 200 meters long. It is built over the Pho Chu River. The bridge is just 15 15-minute drive from the Dzong and is a very attractive place for tourists. But it can easily be missed as it is not visible from the main road.
Khamsum Yulley Monastery and Chorten – This is an attractive monastery and a major attraction of Punakha. This Stupa was built by the mother of the queen for her son. Located at a vantage point on the hills, the place offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.
After sightseeing, transfer to Paro – We will be driving through the same Punakha – Thimphu highway till we reach a place called Semtokha on the outskirts of Thimphu, we will take the Thimphu Paro highway and reach Paro. The total travel distance is about 130 km and can be reached in less than 4 hours.
Paro is a small town in a beautiful valley. On arrival check into the hotel, note that most resorts are situated not in the main town but on the outskirts.
Overnight at Paro.

DAY 5 Paro full-day Sightseeing

Today we will visit all the sights of interest in and around Paro.
Drugyel Dzong– The dzong was built during the 17th century and has been destroyed several times in history. Today it is partly destroyed but still manages to hold a lot of charm for the visitors. The dzong is located about 14 km from Paro town.
Taktsang Monastery – The iconic monastery perched precariously on a mountain, this is the most popular picture representing Taksang. After the vehicle ride, one has to trek for two to three hours (one way) to reach the monastery. There is also an additional charge for regional tourists to visit the Monastery. You may decide to trek half the way and see the monastery from the café viewpoint area. If you decide to trek the whole way, you may miss out on your remaining sightseeing options of the day.
On your way back stop over at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.
Ta Dzong is the National Museum of Bhutan, situated here. This museum consists of Bhutanese arts; masterpieces of bronze statues & paintings.
Next, you drive to Rinpung Dzong where the great annual Tsechu festival is held on the eleventh to fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar. It is both a monastery & also houses the district Govt. offices.
Return to the Hotel in the evening. Overnight at Paro.

DAY 6 Return to Paro International Airport for your onward / return flight.