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Bhutan Breakaway(5 Nights)

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

for Off-Beat Traveller, Family Traveller, Heritage Traveller

Holiday Overview

Rinpung Dzong - Photo Courtesy Cfynn
Drugyel Dzong Photo Courtesy Pradyot
Punakha Dzong - Photo Courtesy Lohen11
Chimi Lhakhang (Photo Courtesy: amanderson2)
The National Memorial Chorten (Nivalink Trip Dated - 26 March 2008)
Tashichho Dzong Monastery (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Tashichho Dzong (Photo Courtesy: Christopher J. Fynn)
Inside of Tashichho Dzong
Full view of Dochula Pass (Photo Courtesy: Nvvchar)
Dachula Pass with Druk Wangyal Chortens (Photo Courtesy: Nvvchar)
Dachula Pass with 108 Stupas (Photo Courtesy: Nvvchar)

Bhutan is a graceful beauty nestled around India hosting enchanting Buddhist monasteries. You would visit interesting temples, fortresses (Dzongs), museums and will see striking natural beauty across the country.

Route

Thimphu(2) - Punakha(1) - Paro(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu
  • Day-2 Thimphu Sightseeing
  • Day-3 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing
  • Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-5 Paro Sightseeing
  • Day-6 Paro Airport
Sightseeing Summary

Paro - Ta Dzong - National Museum (1.00 kms), Rinpung Dzong (1.60 kms), Kyichu Temple (5.00 kms), Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest (10.00 kms), Drugyel Dzong (17.00 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (50.00 kms), Motithang Takin Preserve (50.00 kms), Changangkha Lhakhang (52.00 kms), Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (55.00 kms)

Punakha - Punakha Dzong (1.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (30.00 kms)

Thimphu - National Folk Heritage Museum (0.50 kms), Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu (4.50 kms), The National Memorial Chorten (5.00 kms), Changangkha Lhakhang (7.00 kms), Motithang Takin Preserve (10.00 kms), Dochu La Pass Thimphu (23.00 kms), Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha (65.00 kms), Punakha Dzong (73.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Paro Departure - Paro
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)
Route

Paro - Thimphu(2) - Punakha(1) - Paro(2)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Paro Airport – Thimphu Arrive at Paro Airport and transfer to Thimphu - the capital city of Bhutan. In evening, explore the Thimpu town by walk.

Day-2 Thimphu Sightseeing After breakfast, visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Statue), National Memorial Chorten (Monument) & Folk Heritage Museum. Visit Sangaygang View Point, Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve Centre, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen here, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion).

Day-3 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing Drive to Punakha / Wangdue, en-route Stop at Dochu-La-Pass (3150 mts). After noon visit Punakha Dzong – also known as Palace of Great Happiness. See Chhimi Lhakhang - Evening free to explore the town.

Day-4 Punakha/Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing Visit Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi while travelling to Paro. Visit to Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkh and Rinpung Dzong.

Day-5 Paro Sightseeing After breakfast visit Drukgyel Dzong. Also visit famous Taktsang Monastery - called “Tiger's Nest” - It is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, Tiger’s nest Paro perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor.& Kyichu Monastery.

Day-6 Paro Airport  After breakfast check out from hotel and drop at Paro Airport for your onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Paro :

  • Ta Dzong - National Museum - Ta Dzong is a circular fortress that once protected this valley from the Tibetan invasion. It is now the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities.

  • Rinpung Dzong - Rinpung Dzong is a impressive structure built in 1646 and is the administrative seat containing a monastic community of about 200 members.

  • Kyichu Temple - Kyichu temple, ten minutes drive from Paro and is one of the oldest temples in the country dating as far back as the 7th century. H

  • Taktshang Hermitage - Tigers Nest - Taktshang Hermitage (also known as Tigers Nest) lies on the face of a 1000 m cliff. The place is highly sacred to the Bhutanese in that they believe Guru Rinpoche, the father of Bhutanese Buddhism landed here on the back of a tigress

  • Drugyel Dzong - Drugyel Dzong was built in 1647 and offers stunning views of the Mount Jumolhari (7314 meters or 24000 ft) on a clear day.

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Motithang Takin Preserve - The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.

  • Changangkha Lhakhang - 15th century monastery and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thimphu Valley. It is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple offers excellent views of the valley.

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

Punakha :

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

Thimphu :

  • National Folk Heritage Museum - The National Folk Heritage Museum showcases rural life. Exhibits and cultural shows are held in the museum compound. Open: Mon-Fri 10:30 AM to 4:30PM Sat 10:30 AM to 1 PM Sun 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM

  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu - Tashichho Dzong also known as the 'Fortress of the religious' is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the edge of the city of Thimphu and lies on the western bank of Wang Chu River. Tashichho Dzong has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and now houses the government since 1952 and the central monk body.

  • The National Memorial Chorten - The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa where locals do their evening prayers. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the third king.

  • Changangkha Lhakhang - 15th century monastery and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thimphu Valley. It is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist emanation of compassion. The temple offers excellent views of the valley.

  • Motithang Takin Preserve - The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.

  • Dochu La Pass Thimphu - Dochu La Pass is at an elevation of 10334 ft and is located on the way to Punakha from Thimpu with an overlooking view of the snow covered Himalayas. Over here, 108 memorial chortens / stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” have been built in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in 2003 war. On a clear day, one can see the Eastern Himalayas with 7 mountain peaks including Gangkar Punsum (Bhutan's highest peak).

  • Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha built in 1499 by the 14th Drupka hierarch, after being blessed by “Divine Madman” saint Drupka Kunley.

  • Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong is a prominent landmark of Punakha and offers views of the riverside. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa.

Destination Overview

Thimphu - Thimphu is capital city of Bhutan and one of the most visited destinations of Bhutan. Thimphu is a city offering an old world charm of a Himalayan Kingdom alongwith Monasteries, museums and a distinct heritage character.

Punakha - Punakha Valley is a riverside town and rice bowl of Bhutan and is renowned for the countryside character it offers.

Paro - The beautiful Paro valley provides a visitor with all the essential elements of Bhutan in general. Ancient temples, massive forts, monasteries, picturesque villages, scenic hikes, and drives. Zhiwa Ling is in close proximity to the many attractions the Paro valley has to offer

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageParo
Prefered Departure : No ImageParoNo ImageFalakata(205kms), Siliguri(300kms)
Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

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Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email bhu-39@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Bhutan Breakaway.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Paro to Thimphu -65 kms (1 hrs)
  • Thimphu to Punakha -80 kms (3 hrs)
  • Punakha to Paro -145 kms (4 hrs)

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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