Himalayan Happiness Tour – 7 Days in Bhutan

• Approximate Distance: 163 km
• Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
• You will be greeted by our guide/representative at the hotel and taken to the immigration counter to complete your formalities.
• Once the permit is issued, your journey to Thimphu will begin.
• En route, we will stop at Chuzom, the meeting point of two rivers:
• On the left, the Paro River (Pachu) flows from the glacier of Mount Jomolhari (7314 m / 24,000 feet above sea level).
• On the right, the Wangchu River flows from the Thimphu valley.
• We will see four different types of stupas:
• Nepali type stupa
• Rigsum Gompo
• Tibetan type stupa
• Bhutanese style stupa built in the 1960s
• The order to build these stupas was given by the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, primarily to prevent ill luck and bad fortune for travelers passing through this junction.
• Arrive in Thimphu in the evening.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, proceed on a day excursion to Punakha via Dochula.
• En route, visit Dochula, a mountain pass leading further into the Punakha Valley. It offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic on clear winter days, with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens that grace the mountain pass.
• Punakha Dzong [Entry fee: 500/- per person]: Also known as "the Palace of Great Happiness," Punakha Dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue Valley. This Dzong is the most picturesque of all Bhutanese ancient fortresses and is connected to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge that houses many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned over the Kingdom from this valley.
• Suspension Bridge: This hidden treasure in the Punakha Valley connects the rest of the valley to the old administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag. The entire deck is adorned with prayer flags and provides a perfect spot for bird watching and photography.
• You can also enjoy white water river rafting in the Punakha River for one hour at an optional cost. [Approximate cost: INR 10,000/- to 12,000/- per boat - Capacity: 6 pax per boat.] Return to Thimphu in the evening.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the following places:

• Simply Bhutan - A Living Museum [Entry fee of 1000/- per person] - Simply Bhutan is a living museum that offers tourists a taste of Bhutanese lifestyle. You can dress up, distill arak, and try your hand at archery - in short, everything that the locals do. The museum has an inspiring program that engages Bhutanese youth in the preservation of local culture, one of the four tenets of Gross National Happiness that the Wangchuks and Bhutan itself have come to embody.
• Kuensel Phodrang - Buddha Point [Entry fee of 500/- per person] - The statue was cast in bronze in China and transported by sea and road to this site, which was once occupied by the palace of Druk Desi, a secular ruler of Bhutan in the eighteenth century. Upon completion, the statue will contain 125,000 gilded Buddha statues and a wealth of other statuary.
• Handicrafts Market - An interesting market featuring local items and bargain-priced handicraft goods.
• Takin Reserve & Mini Zoo [Entry fee of 300/- per person] - Hidden in a fold of the forest-draped hills high above Thimphu, a herd of takin makes its home in the Motithang Takin Preserve. Formerly a small zoo, the king decreed that the animals should be freed rather than kept in captivity. However, instead of wandering deeper into the hills, the tame takin took to the streets of Thimphu, where they became a traffic hazard as they foraged for food. Later, you will drive to Paro.
• Overnight stay in Paro.

• Tiger Nest Hiking [Entry fee of 1000/- per person - if guests wish to enter the monastery] - After breakfast, proceed to Taktsang Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The trek requires a 3-hour hike to reach the monastery and 2 hours to return to the base point. Ponies are available for hire until the cafeteria along the way.

***Note: There is no entry fee if you hike up to the cafeteria, where you will have a beautiful view of the Tiger Nest Monastery.

• Kyichu Lhakhang [Entry fee of 500/- per person] - Also known as Kyerchu Buddhist Temple, Kyichu Lhakhang is a pilgrimage site and part of the 108 temples built by the king. It is very old, beautiful, and the most visited monastery in Paro.
• Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

***Note: If guests prefer to visit Chelela Pass, they can do so instead of the Tiger Nest Trek. Vehicle costs will be additional for Chelela (For SUV: 3000/- per vehicle; For Ertiga/H1: 4000/- per vehicle; For Hiace: 5000/- per vehicle; For Coaster: 6500/- per vehicle).

• Paro Airport View: This is one of the most stunning airports in the world and the country's first and only international airport. With a breathtaking view, this airport has become a must-visit place in Paro.
• Ta Dzong [Entry fee of 500/- per person]: Originally built as a watchtower, it now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
• Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels," which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru, and other cosmic mandalas.
• Later, visit Paro Market to buy souvenirs for your family and friends. You may also have a photo session in Bhutanese traditional attire at the riverbank of Paro at your own cost.
• Then you'll be transferred to Phuentsholing.

• Approximate Distance: 155 km
• Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• After breakfast, you will be dropped off at Bagdogra Airport or NJP Station.