Himalayan Splendor

Highlights:

• Flight into Paro - Most spectacular of all mountain flights
• Meeting local people in natural setting
• Get dressed in Traditional Bhutanese Costume (Gho for men & Kira for women) one evening
• Special prayer ceremony for health and long life at private temple
• Hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyel Choeten - Introduction to Tantric Buddhism
• Traditional Bhutanese Archery - Bhutan's National Sport
• Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery - Bhutan's Cultural Icon
• Trip lead by one of Bhutan's best guide licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan

Himalayan Splendor: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all the mountain flights. The first three gifts you will receive from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air you feel as you step out of the plane. The second will be warm welcome you will receive from your Delhi Airport Service Team. The third - the enchanting Paro valley. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum's collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. After museum you will visit the Paro Dzong who now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. Evening you will explore the Paro town. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Day Excursion to Haa Valley
After breakfast you will drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3900m). The drive is about 2 hours one way. If weather is clear you will have magnificent views of Mt. Jumolhari (7314 m) and Taktshang Goenpa (Tiger's Nest Monastery). Haa valley was recently opened to visitors and remains one of Bhutan's most pristine areas. The valley is dotted with fields of millet; barley, potatoes, wheat and farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted cornices and frames. On route you will view the Haa Dzong and stop for pictures. You will visit the 100 years old farmhouse owned by our local partner's grand parents. This will give you an idea of the way of life of Bhutanese families in the remote areas. Picnic lunch will be served on route. After lunch you will explore Haa valley with visit to Chundu Lhakhang at Hatey village. The visit to the Lhakhang (Temple) will provide an insight into the history of the valley. You will then return to Paro for the night. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Paro - Punakha
After breakfast you will visit the weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Saturday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday evening. Then drive to Punakha across the Dochula Pass (3100m). The pass is marked by a large massive choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyel Choetens) and prayer flags. The pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Tea stop at the pass. Resume your journey to Punakha. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch you will make an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang - a Buddhist temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay who is also known as "Divine Madman" in the west. It is an easy hike through the village of Yuwakha and rice fields. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Punakha
After breakfast you will hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten built in 1994 by Her Majesty Azhi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for the well-being of the people and country. It's a moderate hike through the rice paddies and pine forests. The hike takes about 45 minutes one way. The view of the valley from the Choeten is magnificent. Then you will visit the Punakha Dzong and admire the beauty of the Bhutanese architecture where dzongs were built without iron nails. You will also have time to admire the paintings on the life of the Buddha. Lunch in restaurant in Khuruthang town. After lunch you will visit a private temple built by Lama Serpo (96 years old now) and time permitting you will have a brief audience with this extra-ordinary lama. Depending on the schedule of the Lama, we will also arrange a long-life blessing for our group at his temple. This will be a special treat since no other foreign visitors have excess to this temple other than our guests. You will have time to admire and take pictures of the intricate detailed wall paintings inside the temple. A special long life and good health prayer will be arranged for the group - Evening try the traditional Bhutanese Archery, your guide will help you with the archery. Archery is Bhutan's National Sport. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu. Upon arrival visit the National Library - a tall stately building in the traditional Bhutanese style that is the repository of precious and religious manuscripts written in gold. A stop will be made at the Institute for Zorig Chosum - a painting school where the traditional style of Thangka painting is taught. Next visit the Folk Heritage Musuem where you will have an insight into rural Bhutanese way of living. Next visit the Bhutan Post, where you will have time to admire and buy some stamps - Bhutan is well known among the philatelists and stamps constitute one of its delightful exports. Lunch at restaurant in town. After lunch you will drive north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century. It takes about an hour and the trail takes you through the gradual ascend. The monastery now has about 200 practicing monks. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. Evening you will visit the Government Handicrafts Emporium for souvenir. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Thimphu - Paro
Morning you will visit the Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in 1974 to honor the memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is known in Bhutan's history as the "Father of Modern Bhutan" since the modern developments be began during his reign. Then you will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then you will drive to Sangaygang - the view point. It is also known as "Lover's Point" where young couples come to enjoy the bird's eye view of the Thimphu valley. Next you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as "Iron Bridge Builder." It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. Lunch in local restaurant in town. After lunch you will visit the Traditional Paper Factory before saying goodbye to Thimphu. Check in and evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Paro (Day hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking you through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. Overnight in Paro at hotel.

Day 08: Departure
Early morning breakfast and drive to the airport for departure. Your DELHI AIRPORT SERVICE representative will help with check-in formalities and bid you farewell.