7 Days 6 Nights Bhutan Essence (BT07E) Validity: October 2016 to September 2017

CHAN BROTHERS TRAVEL PTE LTD Main Office 150 South Bridge Road #07-01 Fook Hai Building Singapore 058727 T (65) 6438 8880 F (65) 6534 3092 W www.ChanBrothers.com E [email protected]

Highlights Day 1 Singapore – Paro – Thimphu (Meals on Board/Lunch/Dinner)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Paro . Thimphu Upon arrival, proceed to Thimphu , the capital of Bhutan . Enjoy • The Centenary Farmer’s your first-ever authentic Bhutanese cuisine before visiting the The Market Centenary Farmer’s Market , a weekend market famous for its • Tashichho Dzong agricultural products. Next, visit Tashichho Dzong , which houses • Kuenselphodrang Nature the throne of the King of Bhutan. Thereafter, head to Park Kuenselphodrang Nature Park , where you can catch a • Buddha Dordenma Statue panoramic view of Thimphu Valley and admire the 169-feet • National Institute for Zorig bronze Buddha Dordenma Statue , the largest statue in the Chusum country. • Folk Heritage Museum • Post Office Day 2 Thimphu (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) • Royal Textile Academy • In the morning, head to the National Institute for Zorig National Memorial Chorten Chusum , where you can catch a glimpse of apprentices honing • Changangkha Lhakhang their skills and knowledge in 13 traditional arts and crafts of • Bhutanese crafts bazaar Bhutan. Next, visit the Folk Heritage Museum to discover the • Norzin Lam traditional lifestyle of Bhutanese in the olden days. Then, make a Punakha stop at the local post office where you can get your personalised • Dochula Pass stamps at your own expense. Continue on to the Royal Textile • Druk Wangyal Chortens Academy to witness the traditional art of weaving. Then, proceed • The Himalayas to visit National Memorial Chorten , a stupa built to honour the • Sopsokha village late 3rd King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Thereafter, • Chimi Lhakhang visit Changangkha Lhakhang , which was built in the 12 th century • Punakha Dzong and is the oldest temple in Thimphu. Proceed to the authentic

Paro Bhutanese crafts bazaar and Norzin Lam where you can • Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor purchase handicrafts, garments and accessories at your own Heritage Farmhouse expense. • Kyichu Lhakhang • Drugyel Dzong Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) • Chelela Pass Depart Thimphu and continue to Punakha . Cross Dochula Pass • Paro and Haa Valleys and visit the Druk Wangyal Chortens , which the construction of • Ta Dzong 108 chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother, • Rinpung Dzong Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Enjoy spectacular • Taktsang Lhakhang view of The Himalayas if the weather is clear. Along the way, stop at Sopsokha village and take a stroll through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang , a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Thereafter, visit Punakha Dzong , situated at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.

Day 4 Punakha – Paro (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) This morning, make your way back to Paro, home to many old Bhutanese monasteries. Visit Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor Heritage Farmhouse , an 18 th century farmhouse inaugurated recently as a heritage farmhouse with various historical and religious artefacts. Thereafter, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang , the oldest temple in Bhutan. End your day with a visit to Drugyel Dzong , the victory fortress built in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian warlord, Gushri Khan in 1644.

Day 5 Paro (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) Embark on a scenic drive up to Chelela Pass , the highest pass in Bhutan at 3,988 metres above sea level to catch a glimpse of Paro Valley on one side and Haa Valley on the other. Next, visit Ta Dzong, which houses a fascinating collection of costumes, art, religious paintings, relics, national

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CHAN BROTHERS TRAVEL PTE LTD Main Office 150 South Bridge Road #07-01 Fook Hai Building Singapore 058727 T (65) 6438 8880 F (65) 6534 3092 W www.ChanBrothers.com E [email protected] stamps and handicrafts. Thereafter, visit Rinpung Dzong , which was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders and had now been transformed to serve as an administration centre and school for monks and a venue of the annual spring festival.

Day 6 Paro (Breakfast/Vegetarian Lunch/Dinner) After breakfast, embark on a hike to Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, Taktsang Lhakhang , which means Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Clinging precariously to a granite cliff 800 metres above the Paro Valley, legend has it the great Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress. The monastery was first built in 1692 at a cave where the Guru meditated in the 7th century A.D. Thereafter, spend the rest of your day at leisure. You may wish to enjoy a relaxing Hot Stone Bath or head to the main street of Paro to pick up some souvenirs at your own expense. Note Please wear comfortable walking shoes for your hike to Taktsang Lhakhang. The hike is not recommended for pregnant women and travellers with pre-existing health conditions.

Day 7 Paro – Singapore (Breakfast/Meals on Board) After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Remarks Sequence of itinerary is subject to change without prior notice. If a place of visit is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative. During major events, accommodation may not be in the city mentioned.