Day One: Arrive Paro.
Arrive at Paro and receive by the representative of Joyful Bhutan Tours at the Airport, The only airport in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Drive towards National Museum of Bhutan if the day does not fall on Government holidays.
Lunch in Paro and visit Paro Dzong (fortress) and then stroll around Paro town.
Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.
Day Two: Paro Chele La to Thimphu.
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). This is the highest pass accessible by car in Bhutan. Here we should be rewarded with three different species of Pheasants:
- The colorful Himalayan Monal,
- flocks of Blood Pheasants and
- Kalij Pheasant.
Beside this we’ll also see other birds like various Rose-finches, Grosbeaks and Laughing thrushes. Drive back to Paro for lunch. After lunch drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about an hour and half. In the evening, free time to stroll around the Thimphu city
Overnight: Hotel.
Day Three: Thimphu day hike towards Cheri Monastery.
Take picnic lunch and drive 20km to Cheri. The road ends at Cheri Bridge where Jigme Dorji Wildlife sanctuary starts. The trail to Cheri is mixed deciduous vegetation which will offer good birdings like:
- Spotted laughing Trush
- Fire Capped Tit
- Golden Breasted Fulvetta
- Yellow Backed Flower Packer
- Maroon Backed Accentor
After lunch will drive back to City of Thimphu for cultural sightseeings visit Changangkha Lhakhang; One of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley. It built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lama Phajo, the man who spread the sect drukpa kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). You have to walk to reach it. The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.
Traditional Paper Factory and Weaving Centre.
National Memorial Chorten; the building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy;
Tashichhodzong; This impressive fortress/monastery houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body;
In the evening, drive to Kuenselphodrang to view the world’s largest and the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The 169-feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma symbolizes indestructibility, and seated on a vajra throne, overlooking the capital city. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day Four: Thimphu, Dochula,Punakha.
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150m). Our day starts from this pass with breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayan ranges. The mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oaks and rhododendron here are great habitat for many good species including:
- Fire-tailed Myzornis,
- Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher,
- Rufous-breasted Bush Robin,
- Black-eared Shrike Babblers,
- Yellow-billed Blue Magpie,
- Grey-winged Blackbird,
- Spotted Nutcracker,
- Gold-billed Magpie
Later we descend to the Punakha valley stopping at Lobesa for lunch.
After lunch, visit Punakha’s Punthang Dechen Phodrang (the name means palace of Great Bliss.) residence for the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s spiritual leader and the entire central monk community. Standing on the tongue of land where two rivers, Phochu and Mochu, meet, Punakha Dzong has special significance in Bhutan history. Punakha Dzong is the place where Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuk was crowned in 1907. It is the winter later in the evening birding along the Pho Chu valley looking for one of the main target birds like:
- White-bellied Heron.
One of the rarest birds in the world with a population of less than 200 worldwide. Other birds we might see Common and
- Crested Kingfisher, and
- Ibisbill.
Overnight in Hotel at Punakha.
Day Five. Full day north of Punakha at a place call Tashithang/Damji.
With picnic lunch drive north of Punakha. Drive as far as 45km today one way and covering almost 90km in total. After driving around 20km, enjoy roadside bird watching at a place called Boto-kha. Cover around 3km on the road and then drive another 4 km to reach a place called Rim-chhu. You are now in the Jigme Dorji Wildlife sanctuary and forests become thicker. Spend the remainder of the day driving and stopping to do roadside bird watching. This area is also a great area to see orchids and wildlife. Overnight in Tent (Camping).
Day Six: Camp towards Thimphu.
Start towards Thimphu and at Menchhu-nang, walk 3km on the farm road that leads to upper Toebi-sa. Have picnic lunch there and then continue the roadside bird watching all the way to Dochhula. Overnight in Hotel at Thimphu.
Day Seven: Drive from Thimphu to Paro (Hike to Tiger’s Nest).
We will hike to Tiger’s Nest which has become not-to-miss list for any travelers to Bhutan. The hike on foot would take three hours uphill climbing almost 700m from the valley floor. We will break this rapid ascent by stopping at a tea house. To visit the Tiger’s Nest different from other tourists, we will carry our picnic lunch. That way we have the flexibility of the timing to ourselves.
Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang as locals call it is one of the most sacred sites for the Buddhists. This is the place where Guru Padma meditated for three months back in the 8th century. Guru Padma, also known as the 2nd Buddha to the Buddhist, first initiated Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th Century. The importance of Taktsang has been saved over the centuries with lots of myths attached to the place. The myths of Guru and the flying tigress are still powerful amongst many Buddhists. Lay Buddhists would rather receive the sacredness of the place as a blessing whenever they visit. For those (Buddhist or otherwise) seeking the true nature of the mind, Takstang hike is a journey to ones inner world.Hiking downhill takes close to two hours. It is recommended to use hiking poles that will give extra cushioning to the knees. Overnight & farewell dinner at the hotel in Paro.
Day Eight. Depart Paro.
After breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
Tashi Delek