Happiness Combo Cultural Trek| 8D

[Day 1]

PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT | Your first glimpse of Bhutan

• On arrival at the Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief rest, start your magical experience of Bhutan
• Paro Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on heap of a jewel).
  Rinpung Dzong or the ‘fortress on a heap of jewel’ was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646. Its majestically on a hill overseeing the Pa chhu(river) and offers a panoramic view of Paro valley.
• Taa Dzong/Watchtower/National museum
  Taa Dzong or watch tower was built in 1645 by Paro penlop La Ngoenpa Tenzin Drukda together with Desi Minjur Tempa. It was built to protect the Dzong(fortress) and the valley from unceasing attacks from outside. The watchtower was converted to a national museum in 1967. The museum has an exhibit several antiques and relics of Bhutan, they also exhibits the natural history and cultural practices.

Afternoon drive to Thimphu (capital city of Bhutan)

• Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is one of the last few capital cities without traffic lights and the traffic still managed by traffic policemen. Thimphu is the most populated city with more than 100,000 people and a combination of the ancient and the modern.
• Memorial Chorten/stupa
  The national memorial chorten was built in memory of third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated to World peace. It was initiated by Her Majesty Phuentsho Choden and erected in 1974. It’s one of the mostly visited places by the devotees, circumambulating the stupa from dawn until dusk.
• Overnight in Thimphu

[Day 2]

THIMPHU VALLEY EXCURSION

• Buddha Doerdenma statue / Buddha Point
A 51 meter bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue gilded in gold, overseeing the valley of Thimphu. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from the site of the gigantic Lord Buddha. The site was completed in sept. 2015. We have alternative hike around the statue with beautiful view of the valley, you could prefer to hike one of the trails. These trails are popular for mountain biking/cycling.
• Simply Bhutan Museum,
The Museum is a living studio showcasing the typical life-style and practices of Bhutanese culture and tradition. You will also witness some folk dances by the team at the museum and you can disguise yourself with our national attire and try out archery (national sport).
• Takin Preserve
The takin enclosure is located in the Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin the national animal of Bhutan. Originally a mini-zoo, it was converted into a preserve when it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest even when set free. The reason for declaring takin as a national animal of Bhutan on 25 November 2005 (Budorcas taxicolor) is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley
• Bhutan Postal Museum
The Bhutan Postal Museum was opened on 7 November 2015 in the capital city Thimphu. The postal museum narrates the story of the evolution of communication, transportation and postal services in Bhutan's history. The story is told through the collection of various anecdotes, artifacts and the rich assortment of stamp Bhutan has produced over the years. You can personalize your own stamp and write back home to your love ones with your pictures on it.
• Tashichho Dzong/fortress of the Auspicious Religion
The fortress was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1641. It was enlarged by desi Tenzin Rabgay in 1694 and further renovated several times over the years. The entire Dzong was rebuilt in 1962 under the royal command of the third king, his majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It houses the dragon throne room of the king of Bhutan,the office of the Je-khenpo (chief abbot), and other government agencies. It is also used as summer residence of the monk body.
• Centenary Farmers Market
If you want to join with the Bhutanese people and interact with local farmers amongst the aroma of organic fruits and vegetables, the Centenary Farmers Market is the place to be. Smiling tourists wonder as locals bargain with the vendors and you could even stock up on your organic fruits for the coming days.
• Stroll through the market places and the craft bazaar
• Overnight in Thimphu

[Day 3]

THIMPHU - PUNAKHA VALLEY (3HRS)

• After breakfast check out of your hotel and drive for about three hours to Punakha valley. En route stop over at the Dochulaa Pass (3100 meters) and enjoy the spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayan Mountains.
• Dochu la (Pass)
The serene view of the eastern Himalayas greets you with beautiful eye-catching sight of 108 small stupas built over a small hill. The collections of the stupa were built in 2005 as atonement for the loss of life caused by the flushing out of Assamese militants in southern Bhutan. On clear weather you could see many of those highest snowcapped mountains of Bhutan.
• Lampari Botanical Park
Lamperi Botanical Park is the only recreational park in Bhutan. The wild life bio-diversity in the park is very rich and there are 29 species rhododendrons which is native to that park. This park consists of an area of 47km2. Visit botanical park information center for more information.
The road from the Pass winds down to the warm and fertile valleys and after a brief rest visits the Fertility Temple / Chime Lhakhang.
• Chimi Lhakhang/Fertility temple
The site of the temple is a pleasant 30 minutes walk through mustard and paddy fields. Standing on a picturesque hilltop the Lhakhang is famous for its fertility wish grants to couples. Inside the walls of the Lhakhang are beautiful frescoes depicting the colorful life of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman regarded for his crazy methods of teaching which included blessing women in the form of copulation!

• Overnignt in Punakha

[Day 4]

PUNAKHA VALLEY EXCRUSION

• Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten
Walk for about an hour to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten stupa. It is a beautiful walk through the pine trees, the stupa is stunning and so is the view from there.
• Punakha fortress (fortress of great bliss)
Punakha valley was the old capital city of Bhutan and the Punakha Dzong meaning the "Palace of Great Bliss" was built by 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the first spiritual & political leader of Bhutan) to commemorate the final victory against numerous Tibetan invasions. Located on a piece of land between two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (literally meaning male and female rivers), the Dzong is massive, huge and magnificent in all its massive architectural work. Although ravaged by flood, fire and earthquake many times, the Dzong was always rebuilt with its original pattern and design. The Dzong has hosted significant events such as the crowning of the first king of Bhutan, The Royal Wedding ceremony of the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Jetsun Pema on 13th October 2011 was conducted in Punakha Dzong and important religious ceremonies are still held in the Dzong.
• Enroute you will also be walking through a suspension bridge over the Puna Tsang Chhu – Punakha River.
• Overnight in Punakha

[Day 5]

PUNAKHA VALLEY – PARO (4hrs)

• Today you will drive back the same road to paro, you can stop at dochula pass for tea and snacks/lunch
• Dungtse Lhakhang
Visit the impressive 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyelpo, the iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and house some of the finest murals in Bhutan. In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse replete with paddy fields, vegetable garden and farm animals. Enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub, get some cooking tips and help in preparing your dinner which you will eat in the traditional Bhutanese style with the whole family.This will depend on your flight otherwise, you will directly check in to your hotel for the night.
• Overnight in Paro

[Day 6]

PARO - BUMDRAK

Camp Site Altitude: 3800m,Walking Time: 4 to 5 hrs, Ascent: 960m (approximate), Descent: 30m (approximate)

• Today after breakfast drive to Sang choekor (Bhuddist College) starting point of the trek (2,800m). Your hike is about 4-5hrs till you get to Bumdrak Monastery campsite (3800m). Hike up to the sky burial (4,200m Max. elevation) in the afternoon for serene view of the valley. Visit the Bumdark Temple.
• Overnight at your campsite

[Day 7]

BUMDRAK - TAKSANG MONASTERY (TIGER’S NEST)

Walking Time: 5 to 6 hrs, Descent: 1400m (approximate)

• After Breakfast Hike downhill (3 hours). Visit Taksang monastery and nearby temples at 3150m.
• Taksang Monastery
Your highlight of the tour and a day excursion to one of the most petrified sites in Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history. In the 8th Century this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest site in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.

You will stop for lunch and Hike to end of the trek (1 hrs). Your car will pick you up from the base of the Taksang and drive you to the hotel.

In the evening visit farm house and experience our local lifestyles and traditions.

Experience amazing traditional hot stoned bath, which is very helpful after tiring hikes. Have your dinner at farm house with local Bhutanese cuisines.


• Overnight at your hotel in Paro

[Day 8]

DEPARTURE

• After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.

TASHI DELEK