As one of the rarest and most unique of travel destinations, Bhutan offers the experience of the Buddhist tradition in a setting of unique architecture, and breathtaking Himalayan landscape. The friendly people of Bhutan share with you their traditional lifestyle and an opportunity to experience Himalayan Buddhist culture uninfluenced by the outside world. Leave the multitudes behind and enter the Land of the Thunder Dragon. This trip can be your post or pre trip extension for those who are traveling in India, Nepal, and South East Asia.

DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
The flight into Paro on the national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Bhutan’s snow capped peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to Thimphu the capital city (2500 meter / 8200 ft), which will take you about one and half hour. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 02 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast visit the Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Drive to Motithang for a bird’s eye view of the capital city. Visit the zoo to see the strange looking animal known as Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Drive to Drubthop Lhakhang, the nunnery temple. Return to town for lunch, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch visit Bhutanese Indigenous Hospital, Traditional Painting School, National Library and continue your drive south to Lungtenzampa, visit the Royal silversmith and the Bhutanese Paper factory. Continue your drive south, if time permits visit Simtokha Dzong and continue your drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel.

OPTION: If you are in Thimphu during Friday Saturday and Sunday then the sightseeing will

Visit Thimphu weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It’s an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best - and cheapest – vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the week’s gossip. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous goods and handicrafts section. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Return to hotel for lunch, after lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Dupthop Lhakhang (Monastery for the nuns) and other places of interest.

DAY 03 EXCURSION TO PUNAKHA
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding further to Punakha town we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Continue your drive towards Punakha Dzong (Fortress) situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong had served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for more then three hundred years. Evening drive back to Thimphu. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

DAY 04 PARO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, drive to Paro, which will take about two hours, our car will drop us at Drukgyal Dzong. During clear weather the view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft from here is breathtaking. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey. Continue your drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. Drive back to Paro town for your lunch which will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch drive to the National museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong). This museum is considered to be a temple by the natives because of the number of ancient religious objects it contains. The museum not only contains works of art but also handcrafted objects of daily life stuffed animals, costumes, armor and even stamps. You can thus get an idea of the cultural and ecological richness of Bhutan in a very short time. Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. Distance 60 Kms / 37.50 miles. En route stop for pictures. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05 DEPART PARO BHUTAN
Morning drive to Paro International Airport for departure to your onward destination.