7nights/8days - 2n-phuentsholing, 2n-thimpu, 1n-wangdue/punakha, 2n-paro

Attractions and Shopping Tips

Thimphu

Memorial Chorten: Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, it is situated in the center of Thimphu City. It is in a form of Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is built in Tibetan Style pattern on design of Classical Stupa. The Chhorten depicts images of wrathful deities with their female consorts. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan"

Changangkha Monastery: Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley. It was built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo, the man who spread the Sect Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.

National Zoo: Popularly known as “Takin Reserve”, is one of the few places in Bhutan where we can see Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan and a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope

National Library: The National Library was established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. (9am – 4pm, Closed on Sunday, Monday & National Holidays)

BBS Tower: It offers panoramic view of Thimphu Town and is situated at an elevation of 2,685 m. The place is perfect to have view of whole Thimphu valley and is also an ideal place for photography. In order to reach the Point, one has to walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley.

Folk Heritage Museum: It is a traditional house replicating a farmhouse giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs as well as hosting educational programs for children. The house design and many of the artifacts are also reminders of rural Bhutanese life. One should carry a torch (flashlight) as some of the rooms are quite dimly lit.

National Textile Museum: This museum is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by Bhutanese. (Everyday 9am – 4pm & Saturday 1pm – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm, Closed on Monday & National Holidays)

Institute of Zorig Chusom: It is a Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”. It is commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School. One of the 13 Arts is Tshem Zo which is the art of working with needles, threads and other necessary items to make clothes, boots, thangkas, and other items used for decorations and other household needs. (Everyday 2pm – 4pm & Saturday 9am – 12noon, Closed on Sunday & National Holidays)

National Institute of Traditional Medicine: This institute was established in 1978. It prepares and dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines. There is an impressive laboratory and production facility that manufactures quality products. All kinds of pills, tablets, ointments and medicinal teas from here are distributed to regional health-care units around the country.

Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory: It is a 1 km drive from main city of Thimphu to the factory. The factory manufactures the traditional Bhutanese paper using the bark of two tree species in the manufacture of traditional paper the Daphne tree and Dhekap. The entire process of traditional manufacturing of the handmade paper can be observed. It was previously operated by the government. Now it is run by a private entrepreneur.

Kuensel Phodrang: It is a gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. One can get good view of Thimphu Valley from here. The construction was completed on September 25th 2015 to celebrate their 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Optional sightseeing with additional cost

Tashichho Dzong: Also known as "Fortress of the Glorious Religion", it was built on the hill above Thimphu in 1216 by the lama Gyalwa Lhanampa. It was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM. This Dzong is a perfect example of how grand and intricate Bhutanese architecture is.

Paro

Ta Dzong: It is an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 which is now converted into national museum. It has an amazing collection of art, antiques and religious Thangkas. The round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. It has 2.5m-thick walls and was completed in 1656. Inside you can see Thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, or silk usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala) depicting important saints and preachers. (9am – 4pm, Closed on Sunday, Monday & National Holidays)

Rinpung Dzong: This "fortress of a heap of jewels" was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It houses Paro Monastic Body and also has the offices of civil administration of Paro. The Annual Paro Tshechu is held here. It is one of the finest example of Bhutanese Architecture. Here you can see intricate wood work, large beams fitted into each other and held together without nails. The Tower of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its magnificent wood work.

The Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong: The Dzong was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan Invaders. This fort is fifteen minutes’ drive from Zhiwaling and set on a hill with a spectacular view of the valley. It provides a wonderful architectural insight to the structure of forts in Bhutan. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as a heritage site. The Dzong is situated in Drukgyel, overlooking the beautiful village with Mountain Jomolhari in the background. Drukgyel is also the starting point of Bhutan’s most famous trekking routes.

Kyichu Lhakhang (Monastery): It is one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. According to the legend, he established a temple here on the left knee of an ogress in order to subdue her. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Paro district. There's a belief that the two orange trees here in Kyichu Lhakhang miraculously bears fruits throughout the year.

Taktsang Monastery (Full Day): It is the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. On the left side of the monastery is the retreat place where the famous Tibetan Yogi Mache Lhabdenma attained enlightenment. During the hike, one can see you’re likely to see locals displaying handicrafts for sale along the route to the monastery—evidence of individual enterprise rarely seen until the past few years. The hike is moderate to strenuous. It is also known as “Tigers Nest”. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Optional sightseeing with additional cost

Chele-La-Pass (Full Day): Chele-La-Pass, at an elevation of 13,088 ft., is considered to be one of the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive from Zhiwa Ling it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.

Punakha

Dochu-La-Pass: It is the most known pass in Bhutan and is about 30 km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way to Punakha/Wangdue Phodrang. It lies at an elevation of around 3,150 Metres. On a clear day, spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges can be seen. From here you can admire the sterling view of snow-capped Himalayas and the hundreds of "broadcasting" prayer flags. During winters, road to Dochula pass is covered with mild snow. Prime attraction to visit Dochula pass is 108 chortens / stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.

Chimi Lhakhang: It is a very popular temple built in 15th century and revered temple that lies on the periphery of the fertile valley of Lobesa, where the borders of Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang districts meet. Being dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman, the temple is popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. The Lhakhang has a row of prayer wheels and its exterior walls are embedded with slates carved with images of saints. Images of Shabdrung, Sakyamuni Buddha and Chenresig are also deified in the monastery.

Punakha Dzong: The Punakha Dzong was known in ancient times as the Druk Pungthang Dechhen Phrodang or “the palace of great happiness”. It was built in 1637 at the confluence the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. This gigantic Dzong was damaged 6 times by fire, once by flood and once by an earthquake. It is the second Dzong to be built in Bhutan and was the seat of government when Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. Today, the Dzong is the winter home for the clergy. Closed in winter months when the monk body is in Punakha. The annual Punakha Tsechhu (Festival) is held here.

Wandgue Dzong: It's an easy drive to the very impressive 17th century Wangdue Phodrang dzong, home of over 200 monks and a monastic school. The Dzong is the largest wood roofed dzong in Bhutan and the style and architecture is very grand.

Optional sightseeing with additional cost

Gantey Gompha & Phobjika Valley (Full Day): Situated south of the road and east of Wangdue Phodrang, is Gantey Gompa, an old monastery dating back to the 17th century. The gompa, on the valley floor, is the village of Phobjika. This is the winter home of the famous black-necked cranes. The cranes migrate from the high plains of the Tibetan plateau in winter to the milder climate of Phobjika.