A taste of Bhutan Private Tour 4 Days / 3 Nights

The first stop after leaving Thimphu is Dochula pass at 10,500 ft. (23km from Thimphu - 45 minutes’ drive), where you can see one of Bhutan’s most enchanting views. If weather permits, from this pass, the breath-taking peaks of Bhutan’s northern border can be viewed. At Dochula, you will also see a unique cluster of 108 Namgyel Khangzang Chortens that spiral up to the main Chorten known as the “Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens”. Her Majesty, The Queen Mother, Her Majesty, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck had dedicated these chortens as a tribute and monument to the selfless service and visionary leadership of our Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman by the West). It is believed that childless women who visit the monastery will conceive after receiving the ‘wang’ (blessing). Drive to Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery.The temple consists of double storied chorten and nunnery complex. It houses 14 feet statue of Avoliketeshvara (with 11 heads and 1000 arms) beside the statues of Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The center provides a learning avenue and meditation besides training in the field of embroidery, tailoring, thangka painting and statue making. Visit Punakha Dzong located strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong served as the religious and administrative center of Bhutan until the mid 1950s. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the early 17th century and where the Bhutanese enthroned the First King. If time permits, in the evening, visit Kaja Throm (riverside market), developed as a community and recreation space alongside the Farmer’s market and it’s the only amusement park in Punakha. It’s adorned with intricate artwork. Lunch: Local restaurant Dinner: Hote

Visit Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in loving memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, where a multi-storied Stupa and numerous paintings are exhibited providing an insight into Buddhist philosophy. Visit Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang.The statue is located on the hill at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the southern entrance of Thimphu valley. It is about 51.5m is considered the largest Buddha Shakyamuni statue in the world. It is made of bronze and gilded in gold. It also houses about 125,000 smaller statues, about 10000 eight inches statues and 25000 twelve inches statues. The statue was built to fulfil an ancient prophecy of Terton Pema Lingpa dating back to the 8th century. Sitting royally atop a great meditation hall, this Buddha statue exudes peace and tranquillity. Visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum in Bhutan that provides visitors with an interactive experience of traditional Bhutanese life. It features a mud rammed house with wooden shingles, showcasing medieval architecture, and houses restored ancient household items. The museum aims to preserve and promote Bhutan's rich cultural heritage. Visit National Institute for Zorig chusum, meaning 13 crafts. In the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, thirteen skills are taught to students.These thirteen art forms are Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Paper making, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, Black smithy. Visit Green Weaving Center, which features Nettle Weaving and Dyeing, aiming to uplift women as leaders in green fashion and household sustainability while nurturing future generations of Bhutanese. Visit the Takin Preserve Center, where you can see the national animal of Bhutan (Takin). The Motithang Takin Preserve was built as a small zoo but later it was converted to an animal preserve center. In the evening, you will visit Tashichhoe Dzong (the fortress of the glorious religion) after 5 PM. Tashichhoe Dzong houses His Majesty’s Secretariat and the Central Monk Body. You can see the National Assembly building across the river. Lunch: At a local restaurant Dinner: At hote

After breakfast, drive to Paro, approximately an hour drive. Hike to Taktshang Monastery also known as the Tiger Nest Monastery. It was built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (also known as Guru Padmasambhava) meditated. The monastery clings seemingly impossible to a cliff at 914m above the valley floor. In 1998 the monastery was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the Fourth King, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 2005. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit and the Drugyel Dzong, built in 1649 as a fortress and Buddhist monastery to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. It has been recently renovated and not even inaugurated, so getting inside the main temple may not be allowed at the moment. OR if time permits, Visit the National Museum, also known as Ta Dzong, where you can view the fine collection of ancient thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and other artefacts and Rinphung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong, is a historic fortress-monastery dating back to the 15th century, it symbolizes Bhutanese architectural excellence and cultural heritage. Positioned on a hill overlooking the Paro River, the dzong features intricate woodwork, stunning frescoes, and serves as a religious and administrative hub. B/fast & Dinner: At hotel Lunch: At Taktshang café (only vegetarian meals)

After breakfast, drive to Paro airport