8D Mysterious Kingdom of

- Visit Thimpu, the Modern Capital of Bhutan - Hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Taktsang Monastery - All taxes included Tour Code : PBH-004PK

DAY 01 SINGAPORE / BANGKOK Depart from Singapore to Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will be met and transfer to your hotel for a night’s rest.

DAY 02 BANGKOK / PARO / THIMPU (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Rise early this morning as you will be transferred to the airport for your early flight to Paro.

In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro Valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Paro town for lunch.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that is now known as the National Museum (converted in 1968). The museum boasts antique , textiles, weapons and armor, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Depart for Thimpu , the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 45 minutes. Thimpu has a population of about 70,000. The town is made up of just 3 lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, visit the Handicrafts Emporium , where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold.

DAY 03 THIMPU / PUNAKHA (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) After breakfast, visit Heritage Museum . It displays the artifacts used in the rural households. Textile Museum witnesses the art of traditional weaving. Move on to Thimphu Dzong , the largest Dzong, also the seat of the Bhutanese elected Parliament.

After lunch, depart for Punakha , where the road climbs steeply though a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula Pass (3,50m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After a brief coffee stop, descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha.

Afternoon, visit , winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk’s Body are in Thimpu. Until 1955 Punkha served as the capital of Bhutan and it is still the winter seat of the Je Khenpo.

DAY 04 PUNAKHA / WANGDUE (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Dramatically perched on the spur of a hill, built in 1638, this Dzong overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. Gangtey , an old monastery dating back to the 17 th century. A few kilometers pass the Gompas on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phobjikha are described as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. This is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate.

DAY 05 WANGDUE / THIMPU / PARO (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) After breakfast, drive to Thimpu over the Dochula Pass. After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’. This fortress was built in middle of 17 th century. Your guide will explain the fascinating story behind the history of this Dzong. Like in all Dzong around the country, Rinpung Dzong also has 2 divisions. One part houses the monk’s body, while other has offices of local Dzongkhag or district administration. You will come across large monks’ prayer room and many small temples dedicated to different Buddhist deities. You will also have chance to visit some of the temple and marvel over wall paints and Thangka. This evening explore the small main town of Paro.

DAY 06 PARO (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Drive along the winding road to the , the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Visit the ruins of the Dzong which was constructed in mid 17 th century.

Understand more of a local Bhutanese daily life when you visit a local Bhutanese farm house at Drukgyal.

Drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The horse ride up the cafeteria will take around 1 hour. At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru landed on the back of a tigress in the 8 th century. Inside the temple the image of Dorjee Drolo (Guru Padmasambhava) is shown standing on a tiger. There are about 13 sacred sites at Taktsang, and several meditation caves in the cliffs above.

DAY 07 PARO / BANGKOK / SINGAPORE (Breakfast) After breakfast, be transferred to Paro airport to catch your flight home via India and Bangkok.

DAY 08 ARRIVED SINGAPORE

Flight Details : (Guide line only) 06 July 3K 511 Singapore / Bangkok 0715 / 0835 07 July KB 127 Bangkok / Dhaka / Paro 0550 / 0900

12 July KB 124 Paro / Calcutta / Bangkok 1105 / 1620 12 July 3K 514 Bangkok / Singapore 2115 / 0030+1

Terms and Conditions : - Minimum 20 adults to move with a tour leader - Fares include Bhutan visa fees, Bhutan tourist tax, taxes on Druk Air for Bangkok / Bhutan / Bangkok and Jet Star Asia for Singapore / Bangkok / Singapore at S$63, subject to changes . - No meals in Bangkok - Cancellation / Amendment / Administrative fees applies on top of any other charges imposed by suppliers once booking is accepted - Other terms and conditions apply