Thimphu
• Trashi Chho Dzong
• Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar
• Kuenselphodrang Nature Park
• Buddha Dordenma Statue
• National Memorial Chorten
• Motithang Takin Preserve
• Folk Heritage Museum
• Norzin Lam
Punakha
• Punakha Dzong
• Chimi Lhakhang
• Dochula Pass
• Druk Wangyal Chortens
Gangtey
• Phobjikha Valley
• Black-Necked Crane Visitor Centre
Paro
• Kyichu Lhakhang
• Rinpung Dzong
• Taktsang Lhakhang
• Drukgyel Dzong
Exclusive Experience
• Upgrade 2N stay to 5-star Druk Thimphu or similar
• 2N stay in Punakha Bhutanese style lodging
• Enjoy Takin, Bhutan’s national animal spotting
• Learn about Black-neck crane migration
• Hands on Archery session at Simple Bhutan
• Traditional Gho & Kira Dress-Up Session
• Learn making of Ema Datshi dish
• Taste local rice wine, Ara
• Religious Blessing Service
• 100% meals with 4 different cuisines inclusions
• Buffet Dinner with Bhutanese Cultural Show
IMPORTANT NOTES
Day 1SINGAPORE – PARO – THIMPHU
Assemble at Changi Airport for your flight to Paro. Upon arrival, be met and enjoy a local welcome from Bhutanese representatives with Khada. Here, you will visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1644 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders and next is to Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, the oldest monastery in Bhutan built in the 7th century. Here, you can see how Bhutanese farmers lived and get a chance to taste Ara, a traditional alcoholic beverage made from native high-altitude tolerant barley, rice, or wheat. Arrive in Thimphu in the evening.
Meals On Board / Dinner
Day 2THIMPHU
This morning, visit Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, where you can catch a panoramic view of Thimphu Valley and marvel at the 169-foot tall bronze Buddha Dordenma Statue, the largest statue in the country. Next, explore National Memorial Chorten, a stupa built to honour the late 3rd king, before heading over to Motithang Takin Preserve, where you can observe strangle, gentle beasts resembling goat-cow hybrids – Takin – roam within this patch of forest. See art and craft students at work on thangkas painting, woodcarving, exquisite embroidery or clay statue-making (clay) at National Institute for Zorig Chusum and commonly known as 'the painting school'. Catch a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese life at Folk Heritage Museum. The artifacts which are kept inside the house remind the visitors about how the rural Bhutanese live today. After lunch, stop over at Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, a pilot conservative program to preserve their traditional handmade paper making. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You will also stop over at the local post office, where you can get your personalized stamps done up in minutes as a unique souvenir at own expenses. Next, visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum whose primary aim is to conserve the culture and customs of traditional Bhutanese life. Taste a local rice wine known as Ara and try out archery, the Bhutanese National Sport. Thereafter, visit Changangkha Lhakhang; built in the 12th century, it is the oldest temple in Thimphu. Amble through an authentic Bhutanese crafts bazaar and the bustling Norzin Lam, where you can purchase handicrafts, garments and accessories at your own expense. End the day with a Buffet dinner and Local Cultural dance performance.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
Start the day with Trashi Chho Dzong, an impressive monastery that houses secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body. Next, take a light hike through fields of assorted vegetables that will take you to Chimi Lhakhang, a pilgrimage site for childless couples. After lunch, proceed on with a drive up north to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel and witness the stupa. stands majestically on a strategic ridge overlooking the Punakha valley. It was built with a specific function in mind: to ward off evil spirits in Bhutan and across the world, and to bring peace and harmony to all living things. End the day at Punakha.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4PUNANKHA – GANGTEY – PUNANKHA
Today, head into the country side towards Gangtey Gonpa, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. Then, make your way towards the Phobjikha Valley, a wide glacial valley with a central stream that meanders through thickets of dwarf bamboo. The forest beyond the farms is mostly coniferous, and the general vegetation is composed of blue pine, birch, maple and several species of rhododendron. Home to the migratory black-necked crane, the valley is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. Spot these rare, gorgeous cranes during the months of late October to February as they leave the Tibetan Plateau and pass the Himalayan peaks to reach their winter grounds. Make a stop at the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Centre to learn more about the cranes. Thereafter, enjoy a picturesque ride back to Punankha for your overnight stay.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5PUNAKHA – PARO
Camera ready as we proceed on to Punakha Dzong, situated at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. An iconic and instagrammable site. Thereafter, you may like to attend a religious blessing service. Keep that snapping fingers at the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan. After lunch, head to back to Paro. Along the way, cross Dochula Pass and proceed to Druk Wangyal Chortens, where the construction of 108 chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother. This evening, enjoy an interactive session and learn from the locals on how to make ema datshi, a local chili cheese dish and get to sample this exquisite taste.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6PARO
Take an early breakfast and embark on a hike to Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It clings precariously to a granite cliff 900 metres above Paro Valley. The monastery was first built in 1692 at a cave where legend has it that the great Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave in order to subdue evil demons residing within. You may wish to take a pony ride at your own expense. Thereafter, visit Drugyel Dzong, the victory fortress built in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian warlord Gushri Khan in 1644. Next, enjoy some shopping spree and finish up your dollars at Paro Town Market before we wrap up your day with a Gho and Kira traditional dress-up session and flood your social media page endless feed of that cultural perfect-picture you. Note Please wear comfortable walking shoes for your hike to Taktsang Lhakhang. The hike is not recommended for pregnant women and travellers with health conditions.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7PARO - SINGAPORE
Bid farewell to the happiest country on earth as you check out and proceed to Paro for your flight back home.
Meals On Board / Breakfast