7D6N The Spirit of Bhutan

Day 01: Singapore - PARO - THIMPHU

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights, with constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. While on air fill up your disembarkation form and immigration declaration forms. The guide awaits you at the exit door. Paro is at an altitude of 2300m above sea level and this valley serves as an ideal spot for rice growing. The special red rice from this valley has found its place in some of the restaurants in America, too. Of fruits, this valley is famous for strawberry, apples, pears, plums and peaches.

Then drive to Thimphu, the capital which is 2 hours drive from Paro. Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa conscpetualised by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother. Then go to General Postal Office Bhutan, where you can buy CD stamps, 3D stamps or try to make a personal stamps, that will be a very special experience.

Then we can go to Archery Stadium and have chance to watch field archery competition (if any). If time permits, then you can visit weekend market.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu

Dinner Provided

Day 02: THIMPHU

Go to visit another place from where you can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley is from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). It is again a short drive from the town. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park.

Visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of government and the monastic order. Independent tour of the town.

Visit to the National School of Traditional Arts, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkha painting; the workshops for mask making and fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper.

Day 03: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA

Drive to Punakha is about 3 hours from Thimphu crossing the Dochula pass-3050m which offers a great view of Bhutan's high peaks on clear weather. Punakha is at around 1300meters of altitude is almost sub-tropical.

The Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyal Khangzang Chhortens that spiral up to a main monument Chhorten, was an inspiration of the royal patron, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Vividly portraying Bhutan's spiritual and artistic traditions, the Chhortens sit astride a strategic mound that offers a magnificent view of the endless ridges that roll into the distance towards the majestic snow-capped peaks in the north.

Take a walk to Chimi Lhakhang-Temple of the Divine Madman who is popularly known as Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it's not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is believed as a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing.

Along the way we pass by the farming villages of Punakha. Punakha is a fertile valley and the farmers can grow rice twice in a year.

Day 04: PUNAKHA

Further north of Punakha is an interesting temple called Khamsum Yuelliny Namgyal temple built by the crown prince's mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for universal peace and protection.

Visit the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907.

Day 05: PUNAKHA - THIMPHU - PARO

Drive back to Paro, visit Rinpung Dzong, the most famous monastery of Bhutan and maybe the best representative of Bhutan architecture. Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints. Then visit Ta Dzong, inaugurated as National Museum in 1968, and holding a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. We will take a drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong which was once a historic monument built as a symbol of victory for the Bhutanese against the northern invaders. Now it stands in ruins. In 1914 issue of National Geographic magazine, Drukgyel Dzong was shown in its glory. Adorned with pristine alpine forests and tranquil mountain peaks. The magnificent views ideal for more beautiful picture-taking to have unforgettable memories when weather condition is good over there.

Day 06: Paro

After breakfast, we will visit Taktshang Goemba Temple which sits on the cliff of 900m from Paro valley. We will climb up the mountain for 2 hours and enroute have lunch. Then go to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 7th century, is one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan (the other being Jambay Lhakahng in Bumthang). If time permits, then you can visit Paro market.

Day 07: DEPART PARO

Farewell to Bhutan as you board the flight. It would be better to have breakfast at the airport to avoid all the rushing from the hotel.

Day 03: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA

Drive to Punakha is about 3 hours from Thimphu crossing the Dochula pass - 3050m which offers a great view of Bhutan's high peaks on clear weather. Punakha is at around 1300meters of altitude is almost sub-tropical.

The Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyal Khangzang Chhortens that spiral up to a main monument Chhorten, was an inspiration of the royal patron, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Vividly portraying Bhutan's spiritual and artistic traditions, the Chhortens sit astride a strategic mound that offers a magnificent view of the endless ridges that roll into the distance towards the majestic snow-capped peaks in the north.

Take a walk to Chimi Lhakhang-Temple of the Divine Madman who is popularly known as Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it's not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is believed as a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing.

Visit the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907.

Along the way we pass by the farming villages of Punakha. Punakha is a fertile valley and the farmers can grow rice twice in a year.

Day 04: Punakha - Gangtey

After breakfast drive to Gantey Valley via Wangdue – situated in Phobjikha Valley, which is the winter home of the endangered Black Necked Cranes that migrate to this valley from Tibet in winter. Gangtey is situated in Phobjeykha Valley at 3,000m above sea-level is a wide almost flat beautiful alpine valley. As you enter you will notice the Gangtey Goemba or Monastery, one of the oldest and largest Nyingma Buddhist centre in Bhutan.

Day 05: Gangtey - Wangdue Phodrang - THIMPHU - PARO

Drive back to Paro, Upon arrival, visit Rinpung Dzong, the most famous monastery of Bhutan and maybe the best representative of Bhutan architecture. Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints. Then visit Ta Dzong, inaugurated as National Museum in 1968, and holding a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. We will take a drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong which was once a historic monument built as a symbol of victory for the Bhutanese against the northern invaders. Now it stands in ruins. In 1914 issue of National Geographic magazine, Drukgyel Dzong was shown in its glory.

Package Includes:

• Hotel accommodations as specified in the itinerary
• Meals and beverages as specified in the itinerary
• English-speaking guide in Bhutan
• Bhutan tourist visa.
• Luxury air-conditioned tour vehicles.
• One bottle of mineral water per person daily.
• First entry tickets to specified attractions as per the itinerary (tickets during free time are at your own expense).
• Local government taxes.
• Air tickets from Singapore - Paro - Singapore

This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.