Education Tour ii

Day 1: Arrival at Paro and Sightseeing

Our representative from Charisma Bhutan Tours & Treks will welcome you at Paro international airport and check in to your hotel.

After lunch visit to following places:

  • Ta Dzong (national museum), the dzong was built in the mid-17th century as a watchtower overlooking Paro Dzong and the circular dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan.

  • Paro Rinpung Dzong, at the bank of Pachu River, Paro Dzong, formally known as Rinchen Pung Dzong was built in 1644 under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is one of the most beautiful and historically important dzongs in the country.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Capital city of Bhutan (Thimphu).

  • Tachong Lhakhang (monastery) located on the bank of Paa Chhu River, built in late 1300s by great Tibetan saint Drupthob Thangthong Gyalpo.

  • Memorial Chorten, it was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her son, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

  • Buddha Statue, facing Thimphu valley down bellow is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue standing at the height of 169 feet (52m). From here one can have a 360 degree view of Thimphu city.

  • Textile museum, near National library at Chubachu, it was established in the year 2001. The museum contains Bhutanese textiles, arts, crafts and the royal collections which includes first version of the Raven crown worn by first and second King of Bhutan, dresses and accessories worn by royal family and many more.

  • Tashichho Dzong, just near bank of the Wangchu River, Tashicho Dzong was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and enlarged in 1694 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay. Today, the dzong is the seat of the central government, His Majesty the King’s office, and the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu – Tango Monastery Hike

After breakfast drive towards northern Thimphu for hike exploring around Thimphu valley and taking a short hike to Tango Monastery.

  • Tango Monastery, just north of Thimphu opposite Cheri Monastery, approximately 14 km drive from Thimphu and 40 minutes’ walk from the road point.

  • Simtokha Dzong (fortress), the name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast drive towards Punakha via Dochula pass.

  • Dochula Pass, An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens.

  • Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing.

  • Punakha Dzong, the dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. The dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in and the first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day 5: Punakha – Phojikha Valley

  • After breakfast drive towards Phojikha valley which is located east of Punakha is a beautiful and most scenic glacial valley of Bhutan. This valley serves as roosting spot for Black necked crane, one of the rarest and endangered species of bird which migrates during winter months (November, December, January, February) from Tibetan plateaus and northern region of India.

Once reach Phojikha valleys go around for short trail walk and towards evening pay visit to Gangtey monastery.

Overnight at hotel in Phojikha

Day 6: Phojikha – Paro

After breakfast drive towards back to Paro.

  • On the way to Paro visit Simtokha Dzong, the name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.
  • Dochula pass, view the Himalayan Ranges in clear day and fresh air.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 7: Paro Taktsang monastery hike

After breakfast drive towards Taktsang base from where the hike begins. Horse riding facilities are available till view point.

  • Taktsang monastery, the monastery is located 900 m above Paro valley on the face of a rocky cliff. Taktshang is perhaps the most famous monastery in the country. The monastery was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew there from Kurtoe Singay Dzong (Eastern Bhutan) riding on a tigress to subdue a demon.

  • Drugyal Dzong, the Dzong was built as one of the principal Dra Dzong (defence dzongs). While some attribute the building of the Dzong to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate a victory over Tibetan invasion.

  • Kichu Lhakhang, the temple is one of the two among 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to subdue a demon that lay supine across Tibet and Bhutan.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 8: Paro Departure

After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at Paro International airport for your onward destinations.