Breakfast and dinner daily plus 7 lunches
Morning and Evening visits to the Golden Temple
Pakistan Border Guard Change
Partition Museum
Farm and village visit
Heritage Walk
Nature walk
Toy train journey on the Vistadome Train
3 x nature walks
Vist to the Tiger’s nest
All sightseeing
Dochula Pass
Thimphu the only capital city without traffic lights
Local markets and villages
Optional add on to Nepal, Tibet or pre tour Varanasi.
Morning visit the Partition Museum in Amritsar
Afternoon half day excursion to Wagah border, 32 Kms from Amritsar to witness the ‘Change of Guard’ on both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. It is a spectacle comparable to ‘Changing of the Guards’ in London but with a slightly bazar Bollywood twist! The atmosphere is charged on both sides of the fence during the ceremony.
Morning sightseeing takes you to the Golden Temple – the sacred Sikh sanctuary spread out in a vast complex around a huge water tank in the midst of which stands a marble sanctum where the holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth is reverently placed. The roof of the sanctum is gold-leafed. The community kitchen provides free meals to up to 100,000 pilgrims or visitors in a day and is a fascinating place to visit. Walk by the busy bazaars of the city, visit the historic Jallianwalah Bagh Gardens.
Later enjoy a second visit the Golden Temple to see the it shimmering in the night and palki ceremony in which the holy book of Sikh “Shri Guru Granth Sahib” is taken to bed for the night in a procession.
Morning Amritsar Village Tour.
Experience the authentic current culture and village life of Punjab in the Amritsar Village tour on outskirts of Amritsar city. The experience include visit to local school, community health centre, marriage palace, floor mill, wood maker and other skilled craftsmen. In the village you will also see milking of cows/buffaloes, turban tying, Gatka demonstration, cart ride, tractor ride. Meet a local village family at their home and enjoy traditional lunch with them before continuing to Chandigarh.
Main luggage will remain in the vehicle and be taken to the hotel.
On arrival transfer to hotel for 03 nights stay
Experience a morning guided heritage walk of Shimla. Situated at 2,205m and set
amidst cool pine-clad hills, this charming hill station was discovered by the British in
1819 and used as their summer capital.
Afternoon enjoy a nature walk with a picnic.
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air.
After immigration formalities and baggage collection you will be welcomed by our representative with a ‘tashi khaddar’ (white scarf offering to the guest which is an auspicious way to welcome guest) and drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence).Journey to Bhutan’s Capital Thimpu (the only capital in the world with no traffic lights) 2 Nights
The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
Arrive Thimphu; check in at hotel for 02 nights.
In the afternoon Post lunch, take a short drive to the north of town to Buddha Dordenma, located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park.
Later in the afternoon visit National Memorial Chorten, a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. This is the most ideal spot to interact with locals who throng in large numbers to circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at a small shrine inside the gate.
Start the day with nature walk – the trail is serene, tranquil on which you get chance to breathe through cool, breezy fresh area under the magnificent, wooded area while the views are stunning.
After lunch Simply Bhutan, an exclusive project under the Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF), built to offer a unique experience to its visitors. It is a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people, fully operated by young people and job seekers, who receive here on the job training in basic business & management skills, customer care and other spheres of life.
Textile Museum. With the opening of Textile Museum, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden, Bhutanese textile have reached new heights as one of the most visible distinct art forms. The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the Royal collection.
For an insight into traditional crafts of Bhutan, visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum, established in 1971, it is the premier institute to preserve and promote thirteen traditional art and crafts of Bhutan. Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers 4-to-6-year courses in 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Then explore Centenary Farmers Market. Popularly known as the Weekend market, this bustling, colorful market Center is the biggest where farmers from different part of the country gather to sell their farm products. With its wide assortment of products including handicrafts and its picturesque and colorful setting, the Farmer’s Market is a favorite spot for many.
Conclude the sightseeing of the day with visit to Trashichhoedzong, ‘fortress of the glorious religion’. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat
of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung
Later visit to Trashichhoedzong :This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body.
Further visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
End the day with a visit to the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts.
After breakfast at hotel, Drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,080 meters). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.
On arrival check in at hotel for 02 nights.
After checking into hotel, proceed to visit PunakhaDzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers.
Later in the day excursion to ChimiLhakhang , situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers
Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of river.
Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery:
Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji LhuendrupLhakhang(Temple).
Later visit a Farm House in a village near Punakha. Bhutan has highest “Happiness Quotient” in the world and this is evident from their life style…..quite relaxed and full of content. Experience the village life, meet the locals, how they manage their farms & livestock. Don’t forget to sip a cup of locally brewed Suja (salt and butter tea) or perhaps local ara (locally brewed rice wine) with the family.
After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and ParoChhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.
Arrive Paro and check in at for 2 nights.
Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum.
Then walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, 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 four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery “Tiger’s Nest”. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Or visit DrukgyelDzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, “mountain of goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.
Along the way, visit the 7th century KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Fly to Kathmandu – time permitting visit the monkey temple and continue your mountain retreat for a 4 night stay.
Morning at leisure transfer to international airport to board your return flight back home.
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