Fly into the Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Air Carrier. Upon arrival at Paro airport, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa clearance letter handy. After completion of airport formalities, meet our representative your Guide and driver from Visit Happy Trip outside the terminal building and transfer to Thimphu and check you into the Hotel in Thimphu. Stroll around the capital city in the evening. Overnight, Thimphu

Places and attractions:
✅Paro  ✅Thimphu  ✅Centenary Farmers Market   ✅Buddha Dordenma  ✅Memorial Chorten   ✅Authentic Craft Bazaar   ✅VAST Studio

Accommodation options:
✅City Hotel  ✅ Hotel Bhutan  ✅Le Meridien

Full day sightseeing in Thimphu.

Visit Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin Sanctuary, Indigenous Hospital, Textile Museum, Heritage Museum, Traditional School of arts & crafts and Tashicho Dzong. Upon available time, you will also visit Zangdopelri temple, paper factory and other sights. Overnight Thimphu.

Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.

Buddha Dodenma Statue: The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue; 100,000 statues of which are 8-inches-tall and 25,000 statues of which are 12 inches tall. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

Zilukha Nunnery: It has been housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho Dzong can be seen from the nunnery.

Takin Sanctuary: Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles like a cow from back and goat in the front and continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.

Indigenous Hospital or National Institute of Traditional Medicine (Open 9-5pm Mon-Fri, 9-1pm on Sat) is government funded institute that facilitates research of traditional medicine and practices. It prepares and dispenses herbal and other medicines with clinic where doctors diagnose and prescribe traditional medicines or treatments.

School of arts & Crafts (open 9-5pm mon-fri and 9-1pm on Sat –with exceptions of holidays and breaks). Commonly known as ‘the painting school’ is a national institute where children attend six-year course that provides instruction in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts called Zorig Chuksum - meaning 13 crafts.

Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.

Heritage Museum: Heritage Museum is also a recent addition; housed in a traditional home displays the living style of the Bhutanese family in 19^th century.

Textile Museum: A recent addition in the capital city, this museum displays the colorful and intricately hand woven textile, both old and new.

Paper Factory: Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods.

Overnight, Thimphu

After breakfast, Drive to Paro. In Paro visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, Dungtse Lhakhang (temple), Kyichu Lhakhang, Drukgyel Dzong and Traditional Farm House. Overnight Paro.

Thimphu to Paro. The drive from Thimphu to Paro takes little more than 1 hour, covering total of 65 km. From Thimphu, the western branch of lateral highway from Thimphu, runs close to the Wangchu river in the valley floor, through the suburbs and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, it is north-west for about ½ hour, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight road, into the villages and farm houses of Paro valley.

National Museum: Established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower. It holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, household’s stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan’s famous Stamps among others.

Rinpung Dzong: meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". Built in mid-17^th century, it now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for the 200 monks of Paro. It is also the venue for Paro festival held in the spring. Several years ago, the colorful movie Little Buddha was filmed here.

Dungtse Lhakhang: was constructed by the great bridge-builder Thangtong Gyelpo in 1433. It is said to have been built on the head of demoness, who was causing illness to the inhabitants. The building was restored in 1841 and is a unique repository of Kagyu lineage. You may or may not be permitted inside but can walk around this three-storey Chorten type building.

Kyichu temple complex: Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples, along with Jorkhang in Lhasa. Kyichu is considered to be one of them and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Drukgyel Dzong: Drukgyel dzong stands 14 km north of Paro town at the end of the road. It was built in 1644 to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over Tibet. It served as the administrative and religious center for Paro until 1951 when fire broke out and damaged this huge structure. it stands in complete ruin and the Reconstruction has begun in in 2016 after the command of His Majestry the King to celcebrate the birth of His Royal Highness (HRH) The Gyalsey, to commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the country in 1616AD and the birth of Guru Rinpoche. Expected to complete by Dec, 2020.

If time permits, stroll around the town, it can be in the evening before dinner. Farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to onward destination.

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