PARO TO THIMPHU

After breakfast, you will travel to Thimphu valley. On the way, visit Tamchog Lhakhang (temple), this 14th-century temple located on the base of a mountain across the Pa chu on the Paro-Thimphu highway, is a must-visit temple in the Paro valley. Built by the great master architect Thangtong Gyalpo, the temple houses some unique statues. To get to the temple one may actually walk over the iron chains that spans over the Pa chu (Paro river).

After crossing Chunzom which is the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers, the drive will take you along the Wangchu ( Thimphu River) to Thimphu valley. After checking into your hotel, you will visit the following:

Traditional Bhutanese paper-making factory.
National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles that are rich in colors and designs. You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Simply Bhutan– A living museum of rural life that provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu

PUNAKHA RAFTING TOURS

– Day 1 along with the Pho Chu (Male River) in Punakha Valley
After breakfast, an exciting rafting tour awaits you. Following a short drive, you arrive at the river and, after a full safety briefing, you take to your raft for a ‘soft’ rafting experience down the Pho-Chu (Male River). You will need to do a little paddling and you may get a little wet but it will all be worthwhile as this journey takes you through a wonderland of secluded scenic beauty. You drift along to Punakha Dzong, located on an island in the middle of the rivers.

After a picnic lunch on the riverside, you will take a short hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

PUNAKHA TO THIMPHU

– Day 2 along the Mochu (Female River) in Punakha Valley
After breakfast, yet another exciting day awaits you. This good stretch is for those who are apprehensive about going on a whitewater trip. Start your day by taking an hour or so hiking up to the temple at Nyezengong and then floating down the scenic Mo Chhu past the Punakha Dzong and to the take-out at the high school. It is recommended to finish by mid-afternoon, as an upstream wind is common most afternoons.

In the evening you may visit Rinchengang village in Wangduephodrang where you will take a short hike through the village and have free interaction with the villagers. At the same time, you can view the ruins of Wangdue Dzong (the Dzong was razed to the ground by fire in 2012). Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

DEPART PARO

After breakfast drive to Paro for about 1 hour and hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.