10 Day Cultural tour

Your friendly tour guide will be eagerly awaiting your arrival outside the exit doors at Paro International Airport. After brief intro, we will visit the national museum known as Ta dzong which houses a fine collection of ancient thangka paintings, textiles, weaponry, and other artefacts. Lunch we will experience the local hospitality of our hosts who will serve up a sumptuous Bhutanese dinner in a typical Bhutanese farmer’s house. After lunch from above the museum, we will take a short 2.5-hour leisurely hike, known as the Zurik trail, which leads to a stunning view of Paro dzong, the airport and the whole of Paro valley and township. Our driver will be waiting to pick us up at the end of the airport. After hike we follow the Paa Chhu (river), we will pass the picturesque Tagchok temple (lhakhang), built in the late 13th century by the great Tibetan saint Drupthob Thangthong Gyalpo. If requested, we can stop long enough to take in the vista and snap a photo or two. Overnight: Thimphu

After Breakfast we will make our way to the Buddha Dordenma statue at Kuenselphodrang, which towers over the city of Thimphu. It is the largest sitting statue of the Buddha in the world at a height of well over 59 metres. Visit to the Zorig Chusum, the school of arts and crafts where you will be able to observe the students engaging in the 13 artistic and later during the day vegetable market to observe the hustle and bustle. After linch, we will visit the Takin preservation centre, the national animal of Bhutan. It’s time to scroll around the main street, which is located near the only traffic light in the whole of Bhutan which is manually operated by a traffic policeman with white gloves. There are also a handful of shops selling the traditional attire which your guide will be more than happy to take you to. You may also wish to visit the main post office. You can try some local food for lunch in the town. If you are active later in the day, there is always the option to go on a short hike to Wangditse monastery, a short distance above Thimphu town. After a small hike It will be a time to wander around the streets of Thimphu. Overnight: Thimphu

Today we will be having an early start to venture to Punakha. Enroute we will pass Semtokha dzong built by the founding father of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, in 1629. We will continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view the 108 stupas, on a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalayas. we will visit Wolakha nunnery, a Buddhist nun’s college where nuns can pursue studies up to a Masters level. After lunch we will visit the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body known as Punakha dzong. Punakha dzong is one of the most breathtaking dzongs in Bhutan, situated at the confluence of two rivers. It is the second largest dzong in Bhutan after Trongsa dzong. We will enter inside the dzong as well as have time to stroll around the picturesque grounds. We will also visit the suspension bridge behind the dzong – a favourite amongst visitors. Later during the day, we have a option to go on our 1.5-hour river rafting adventure. We will be guided by our expert river rafting team while floating down the Mo Chu (mother river). Overnight: Punakha