Bhutan wonders -Luxury tour and holiday

Arrive by Druk Air flight from Bangkok or Singapore. Paro has managed to maintain its bucolic character almost intact: its valley is dotted with villages and isolated farms that are camouflaged in the landscape by the characteristic colors of the forest. After customs clearance and visa requirements, meeting with the Bhutanese guide and transfer by coach to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, which is about 60 km away. Thimpu is situated in a large valley intersected by Wangchuk river and protected by high mountains.

Along the route, which takes about two hours, you will see Tachogang monastery, the "temple of the great horse", built by Thangthong Gyalpo and cross the Iron Bridge, a medieval fine example of workmanship. This first transfer will already allow you to get an insight on the different styles in which monasteries are built, recognizable by the shape of the domes, or rather chorten. Upon arrival in Thimpu, accommodation at the hotel. Free lunch. In the afternoon you will take a first walk downtown.

Before dinner, the local guide will give a brief introduction to the customs and traditions of Bhutan and show you how to wear the national costumes: Gho for men and Khira for women, which will be left to the guests, so you can wear them, if desired, any time throughout your stay. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. The entire day will be spent exploring the valley of Thimpu, to discover the many aspects of the Bhutanese culture, including the large Buddha statue, Kuensel Phodrang. Visit Simply Bhutan, a real "living museum", developed for and by young Bhutanese. In the evening admire the National Memorial Chorten in the city center, built in honor of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, where there are many citizens who come to pray and pay homage in a relentless procession. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Punakha, 71 km, about 3 hours away. The route winds through the fields of Yusipang before climbing up to Dochula Pass, situated at 3.140 meters, from where, weather permitting, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the eastern Himalayas. Photo stop before resuming the journey through rhododendron and magnolia forests. There will be the chance to make other stops in small villages in the valley.

Upon arrival in Punakha lunch in a local restaurant. Punakha is the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, the supreme abbot, and of the Buddhist curia. In the afternoon we visit Nalanda Buddhist Institute, known locally as Daley Goenpa, a monastic school and religious center, where you can see the daily lives of Buddhist monks from up close. At the end transfer to the hotel: dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning hike through the rice fields to visit Kamsum Yulley Chorten, near the village of Neyzergang. Return to the base and transfer by car to Zomlingthang for a picnic lunch along the banks of the river. In the afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive and important dzong in the country: idyllically located between two rivers, the Pho Chu (male entity) and Mo Chu (female entity), it was built in 1637 and until 1955 it was home to the National Government. This Dzong was also called Druk Pungthank Deochen Phodrang, or the Palace of Great Happiness. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning you'll have a long transfer to return to Paro via Thimpu: the journey is about 125 km long and takes around 5 hours. On arrival lunch in a local restaurant. Then visit Rinpung Dzong, originally a monastery and later transformed into a fortress to repel invasions from Tibet, overlooking the valley. After visiting the Dzong you will enter the city, crossing Nymezampa covered bridge. Time permitting you will witness an archery demonstration, the national sport of Bhutan.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the most important and ancient shrines of Bhutan, which dates back to the 7th century. At the end transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. The highlight of the day will be the spectacular Takstang Monastery, also known as Tiger Nest. Transfer by bus to Ramthankha from where you will continue walking on a light trekking leading up to the Monastery: the trail winds through a beautiful pine forest, where the typical colorful prayer flags wave. The monastery built in the fourteenth century around the cave where Guru Rinpoche, after flying here on the back of a tigress, meditated for three months in the eighth century, is certainly the most famous place in Bhutan, suspended on the cliffs above the valley.

To facilitate the cimb (about 3 hours total), you can rent a horse or a mule, with which you reach the first refuge where you can enjoy a wonderful view. From there continue on foot for an hour and a half through a magnificent forest and visit the monastery. Light lunch at the local café. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Farewell dinner and overnight.

Breakfast. Transfer to the international airport in time for boarding formalities for your return flight or onward flight to another destination.