Western Cultural Tour

Day 01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Arrive on Katmandu airport, and transfer to hotel. The tour manager will give pre-tour briefing. Rest of the day is leisure. O/N at Hotel.

Day 02: KATHMANDU
Morning visit Swayambhunath Temple and Patan City. Afternoon visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Old Kathmandu City. Evening free and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: ARRIVE PARO
Get on board Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline, from Kathmandu bound for Paro. The flight to Paro offers fascinating views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Mt. Everest. On arrival you will be received by your guide and escorted to your hotel in Paro In the evening visit Paro town, stroll through its quaint two streets and browse through the shops. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

Day 04: PARO SIGHTSEEING - THIMPHU (60 Km, 2 Hours)
After breakfast, visit to Ta Dzong, originally the Watch Tower for the Rinpung Dzong. It was later converted into the National Museum of the Kingdom and boasts a wide range of antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and natural and historic artifacts. Walk down the trail to Rinpung 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 lunch, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, the fort of the victorious Drukpas. Although gutted by a fire, this fort is renowned as the stand from which several Tibetan invasions were repulsed. To the north can be seen in all its majesty, the dome of sacred Mt. Chomolhari or the abode of the "mountain of goddess.” En route, see 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.

Day 05: EXCURSIONS TO TAKTSHANG – THIMPHU (65Km. 1.30hrs)
After an early breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang 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. Lunch at Taktshang Cafeteria. The trip to and fro takes four hours for which riding ponies can be arranged. After an evening tea, drive to Thimphu along a winding road for about 2 hrs. Ovenight at HOTEL in Thimphu

Day 06: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
In the morning, visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa conscpetualised by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother. Other important places include the Folk Heritage Museum for an insight into the medieval lifestyle of the Bhutanese; the National Library which contains collections of literature and scriptures; the Textile Museum for ancient Bhutanese textile collections; a Nunnery, the 12th century Changgangkha temple; and a drive to the viewpoint of Thimphu and national animal-Takin research center. If time permits, visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of government and the monastic order. Independent tour of the town. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 07: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING (77Km. 3hrs)
After breakfast drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, stop at Do Chula Pass (Alt. 3050m.) for tea/coffee and enjoy spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan range. Lunch at Hotel.
After lunch visit Chimi lhakhang, a temple built by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman and renowned for blessing barren women with fertility.
Visit Punakha Dzong, located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu. Night at Hotel in Punakha.

Day 08: EXCURSIONS TO KHAMSUM YUELEY NAMGYEL CHORTEN – THIMPHU
After breakfast, drive north for a short excursion to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. This temple stands majestically on a strategic ridge above Punakha valley. Prophesised in the scriptures by Thragthung Dudjom Lingpa, the temple was built by the queens. It is intended to ward off negative forces, promote peace, stability and harmony in a changing world. The unique architectural design has been drawn from the scriptures. After lunch drive to Thimphu. Night at Hotel in Thimphu .

Day 09: THIMPHU – PHUENTSHOLING (179km. 6hrs)
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing at the Indo-Bhutan boarder (180Km). The drive between Thimphu to Phuentsholing is beautiful with varying forests, waterfalls and quaint hamlets. Lunch at Phuentsholing. After lunch Representative of Economy Treks will bid you farewell.