Day 1
March 26, Fri
Depart Bangkok – Paro at 06:50 by KB 127
Fly into Paro Bhutan from Delhi. On this flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas. Arrive Paro 09:50. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide from Shangri-La Bhutan.
After completing your formalities, transfer to Thimphu. The drive from Paro to Thimphu is spectacularly scenic. Magnificent monasteries and stupas in the valleys and mountain tops. Experience the “Last Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom” on Earth and take precious memories back home. Check in to your hotel and have lunch. After lunch, look around the Capital City on your own. Overnight Thimphu.
Day 2
March 27, Sat
Full day Thimphu Sightseeing.
- Change money from the Bhutan National Bank
- Purchase world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from general post office which is right next to Bhutan National Bank.
- Visit Arts and crafts school where one can see young children at work.
- Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced.
- Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honour memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
- Observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub to the finished product and purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory.
- Visit Botanical garden (Zoo) where one can see Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan.
- Drive up to view point and take a hike beyond to see the clear picture of Thimphu Valley.
- Downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Weekend Market, Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning kiras which can be used and bed covers or wall decoration, jewelries and many more. Later afternoon, transfer to Paro for Overnight.
Day 3
March 28, Sun
Excursion to Taktsang Monastery.
Day hike to “Taktsang”, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Taktsang, meaning "Tiger's nest," is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhawa) mediated in the 7th century. It clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan and meditated in the cave there for three months.
Overnight Paro.
Day 4
March 29, Mon
Paro Festival
Enjoy Paro festival whole day. This is the second last day of the Annual Paro Festival and you can see hundreds of local Bhutanese people dressed in their best for the occasion. On this day, there will be a display of the Lord of Death’s Mask Dances.
Day 5
March 30, Tue
Paro - Bangkok
Get up early in the morning around 4-am. Go to the festival ground to watch the Great Thangka (Thongdrel) being displayed. You can also see some dances. “Thongdrel meaning liberations o all your sins and sorrows at sight. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then transfer to Paro Airport.
Depart Paro by Druk Air flight KB 130 at 11:20 and arrive Bangkok at 16:15. Your guide will assist you to complete the departure formalities and bid TASHI DELEK!
