Bhutan Tiger's Nest Tour

Detail Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1335 m/4379 ft)The tour guide and/ or our airport representative holding AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES sign-board and group name-list will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and transfer you to the Hotel on our private vehicle which takes about 20 minutes from airport.

Day 02Drive to the airport to fly to Paro/ Drive to ThimpuAfter breakfast, proceed to airport for flight to Bhutan – Paro. The flight offers fascinating views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Mt. Everest. Arrival Paro, enjoy the Bhutan local lunch. After lunch, visit one of the oldest landmarks in Bhutan. The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered as one of the most holy shrines in Bhutan and embodies the arrival of Buddhism here. Visit to Rimpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints. After finish, drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The road meanders alongside the Paro Chu (river) and terraced fields until the confluence of two rivers at Chuzom. Here, one can see three stupas, representing the different styles of the different sects. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03Thimphu /Wangdue Phodrang After breakfast, visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of government and the monastic order. After that, continue to visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa conceptualized by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother. After that, visit the National Post Office, where you can spend only USD 3, to have your own photo for a set of stamps. Visit to the National School of Traditional Arts, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkha painting; the workshops for mask making and fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper. Visit another place from where you can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley is from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). It is again a short drive from the town. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Drive to Wangdue Phodrang. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel in Wangdue Phodrang.

Day 04Wangdue Phodrang / Punakha / Paro After breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. Drive to Wangdue, visit Chimi lhakhang, a temple built by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman and renowned for blessing barren women with fertility. Back to Paro, with a short stop at Dochula pass (3050m/10004ft) where if the weather is good, enjoy spectacular view of mountains. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel in Paro.

Day 05Paro/ Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery After breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang means 'Tiger's Nest' as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. The trip to and fro takes 4 hours for which riding ponies can be arranged (USD 15/per pax). After dinner, if you have special needs, we can arrange for you to experience the Bhutanese Traditional Hot Stone Bath (USD25 /per pax), booking must be made 6 hours in advance), to ease past few days journey fatigue. Transfer back to hotel in Paro.

Day 06Early morning drive to airport and fly to KathmanduThe tour guide ( myself) and/ or our airport representative holding AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES sign-board and group name-list will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and transfer you to the Hotel on our private vehicle which takes about 20 minutes from airport. After check-in and refreshment, we go for lunch and then to some more sightseeings. Kopan Monastery is situated atop a hill nearby Boudhnath Stupa. It’s a place for Buddhist study and retreat. People from all around the world visit Kopan Monastery to attend meditation courses to renew their inspiration to make life more meaningful. Many hundreds of monks and nuns live there to study Buddhism. Boudhnath stupa is the biggest Stupa of Nepal which is believed to be built in 5th century with a Kasyapa Buddha bone buried in it. Walking around the Stupa clock-wise and turning the prayer wheels around it add merit to good Karma and bring good luck and prosperity. We will also visit a few colorful Buddhist monasteries around the Stupa.

Day 07Drive to the airport for final Departure & FarewellThe last day of the trip – we keep it very relaxed and no any particular sightseeing. After breakfast everyone are free to go for shopping spree and do some interesting things. We need to proceed to the airport before three hours of the outbound flight departure.