The incredible Bhutan

- Arrival in Paro. - Optional: dinner with a local family with cooking demonstration Arrival at Paro airport, then welcome with a Khada on arrival at Paro airport. The flight to Bhutan takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the glittering scenery of the world's highest glacial peaks. Khada This is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial scarf. It is widely used by Tibetans, Nepalese, HindustaniGorkha and Bhutanese on various occasions. It represents goodwill, auspiciousness and respect, and is deeply rooted in social and religious customs. As you enter the Paro valley, you'll see the silver Pa Chu (Paro river) winding through the valley, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and the Ta Dzong (watchtower). On arrival in Paro, you will be met by our representative. Depart by road for Thimphu (55 km/01 h). En route, visit Simtokha Dzong, the Kingdom's oldest fortress, now home to the School of Religious and Cultural Studies. Lunch in local restaurant. Arrive at your hotel and settle in. Optional: dinner with a local familywith cooking demonstration from 6 to 8 pm. Discover the warm hospitality and culinary delights of Bhutanese culture with an authentic dinner hosted by a local family in Thimphu, the capital nestled in the majesticHimalayas. On arrival at your hosts' comfortable home, you'll be warmly welcomed into their kitchen, where the aromatic scents of traditional Bhutanese spices fill the air. As you settle in, your hosts will share an insight into their rich culinary heritage, passed down from generation to generation, and provide a brief introduction to the ingredients and techniques unique to Bhutanese cuisine. Join us for an unforgettable culinary journey to the heart of Bhutan, where the warmth of Bhutanese hospitality and the flavors of traditional cuisine await you. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

- Visit to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) - Optional: Trial of Gho-Kira (Bhutanese dress) in Thimphu - Visit the National Memorial Chorten Breakfast at the hotel. There's plenty to see in the capital, which exudes a very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Thimphu is relatively small, with apopulation of around 90,000, and the streets are wide and tree -lined. In the morning,visit BuddhaPoint, the National Library, Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) Located just a few minutes' drive fromdowntown Thimphu, visitors can get a good overviewof the Thimphu Valley fromBuddhaPoint (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your respects and offer prayers to the Buddha,the largest statue in the country, then take a stroll and get a glimpse of the valley. Lunch in a local restaurant. Optional: Gho-Kira trial (Bhutanese dress) in Thimphu The Bhutanese national costume was introduced in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal introduced Gho and Kira to create a distinct Bhutanese identity and promote unity between the country's various ethnic groups. Visit the National Memorial Chorten: the construction of thismonument was envisaged by thethird king, HisMajesty 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 amonument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument offer an in-depth insight into Buddhist philosophy. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

- Trek to Chimi Lhakhang - Visit Punakha Dzong - Optional: Meeting with a monk at Chimi Lakhang - Optional: Hoisting prayer flags in Dochula Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Punakha via Dochula. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs via a series of zigzags over the Dochu La pass, at 10,000 ft/3,048 m. On a clear day, there are panoramic views of the easternHimalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, at 24,770 ft/7,550 m. Punakha, the ancient winter capital, is a 3-hour drive from Thimphu. After Dochula, the road descends through a varied forest to the highly cultivated Punakha valley. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the divine mad monk. It's a lovelywalk at through a pretty village. The temple can be visited and there's a tree outside which is said to have grown afterDrukpa Kunley sent a thunderbolt from a nearby valley to kill evil spirits who had gathered at the site. Also visit the Punakha Dzong courtyard. Optional: Meeting with a monk at Chimi Lakhang Meeting a monk at Chimi Lhakhang is an opportunity to learn more about Bhutanese Buddhism. The monks at Chimi Lhakhang are often welcoming and eager to share their knowledge with visitors. During the meeting, you can discuss Buddhist philosophy, meditation practices and the importanceof compassionand wisdom in everyday life. Visitors often seek blessings frommonks for a variety of reasons, including fertility, good health and prosperity. Ultimately, ameetingwith a monk at Chimi Lhakhang can be a memorable and spiritually uplifting experience, offering an insight into Bhutanese culture, Buddhism and the timeless traditions of the region. Optional: Hoisting of prayer flags in Dochula. Hoisting prayer flags is a sacred act in Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It symbolizes the spreading of positive energy, compassion andwisdom in the environment. Flags are usually hoisted in a specific order, with each color representing different elements and aspects of life. Visitors to the Dochula Pass often take part in this ritual, either by helping to hoist new prayer flags, or by offering prayers and wishes as they watch the colorful flags flutter in the mountain breeze. It's a serene and spiritually enriching experience that brings you closer to Bhutan's deep cultural and religious heritage. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

- Departure by road to Paro. - Optional: Archery session (45minutes) - City tour: Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong. Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, return to Paro. On arrival, check into hotel and lunch. Afternoon city tour Ta Dzong (Sunday, Monday, public holidays closed): once a watchtower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's national museum in 1968. It houses a fascinating collection of artworks, relics, thangkha religious paintings and exquisite Bhutanese postage stamps. The museum's circular shape enriches its varied collection, which is displayed on several floors. Next, descend along ahillside path to visit the Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, Bhutan's first spiritual and temporal ruler, the Dzong houses Paro'smonasticbody, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and the Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. Access to the Dzong is via a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk across the bridge, on a stone -encrusted path, offers a good view of the architectural marvel that is the Dzong, as well as the life that surrounds it. This is also where the Paro Tshechu is held once a year in spring. Optional: Archery session (45minutes) Taking part in an archery session in Bhutan offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's traditional sport and cultural heritage. Archery has considerable cultural significance in Bhutan, where it is the national sport and deeply rooted in the country's history and traditions. On the archery grounds, locals gather to train and compete. The atmosphere is generally lively, with spectators cheering on the participants and enjoying the camaraderie that accompanies the sport. During an archery session, you will have the opportunity to learn the basics of Bhutanese archery fromexperienced practitioners. They'll teach you how to hold the bow, notch the arrow, aim and release with precision. Bhutanese archery differs fromWestern archery in a number of ways, including the equipment used and the shooting distances. Taking part in an archery session isn't just about honing your skills; it's also an opportunity to bondwith the local community and experience first-hand the competitive spirit and sportsmanship that define Bhutanese archery culture. You're likely to get caught up in the excitement of the game, whether you're shooting arrows or cheering others on from the sidelines. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

- Hiking at Tiger Nest - Visit to a farm in Paro with butter tea service. - Optional: hot stone bath at the farm. - Optional: Lighting the butter lamps at Kyichu Lhakhang. Breakfast at the hotel. Taktshang or "Tiger's Nest", as the monastery of Taktshang Pelphung is often called, is one of Bhutan'smost revered and famousmonasteries. It is situated on the edge of a 900 m sheer cliff. It's an impressive site and a must -see, but only accessible on foot or by mule/pony. From the trailhead at Rumtokto (2600 m), the walk to the cafeteria is a steep one-hour climb (approx. 350 m ascent). From the cafeteria (2940 m), you can get a good close -up view of Taktshang. Savour the viewof the monastery over awell-earnedcup of tea and cookies in the cafeteria and continue the climb for another 45 minutes to a high vantage point (3140 m) where you'll find a Chorten. From this vantage point, the monastery lookout is very spectacular and seems almost close enough to touch. It's nowon the other side of a deep chasm, only about 150 metres as the crow flies, but it takes half an hour or more to reach it. Continue down the cliff-hanging steps on the narrow path to a beautifulwaterfall that plunges into the deep chasmand next to it is a retreat hermitage, dramatically wedged into a rocky crevice. Then climb the steep steps up to the monastery. At any point during this walk, you can always return if you find it too difficult. Once inside the monastery, there are several shrines or temples with a few monks in residence. After visiting the many shrines of Taktshang Monastery, most tours include a cafeteria lunch on the way back. Then return to the starting point of the route where you began in the morning. The return from the cafeteria is downhill and takes just over half an hour. What's more, if you have more time, energy and are ready for a more challenging day, you can start early and trek beyond Takstang to see severalmonasteries,temples and retreat houses in the vicinity. The most notable of these are Zangdopelri and Ugyen Tsemo. A pony/horse can be hired to take you up to the cafeteria. However, you can't go beyond the cafeteriaor down the hill on horseback. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who spread Buddhism throughout the Himalayas, flew here in the 8th century on the back of a tigress, in order to subdue the negative spiritual forces hostile to the spread of Buddhism. . In 853, one of his pupils, Pelgyi Senge, intervenedhere, in the main cave. The stupa inside oneof the templescontains his mortal remains, which is why the cave is known as "Pelphung or Pelgi Cave". Kichu Lhakhang: Kyichu is one of Bhutan's oldest temples, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay in wait in Tibet and the Himalayas, preventing the spread of Buddhism. To defeat her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples in a single day, nailing the ogress to the ground forever in 659 AD. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built according to precise plans at key points. The Jokhang temple in Lhasa was built on the very heart of the demoness, and Kichu is said to have been built on the left foot. Visit to a farm in Paro with butter tea service. Optional: hot stone bath at the farm. Taking a hot stone bath on a farm is a popular activity for tourists visiting Bhutan, especially in regions like Paro, where traditional wellness practices thrive amidst breathtaking natural landscapes. On arrival at the farm, you'll be warmly welcomed by the hosts, who will guide you through the experience and ensure your comfort. Before the hot stone bath, youmay receive an introduction to the traditional Bhutanese practice, explaining its cultural significance and wellness benefits. Overall, a hot stone bath on a farm in Paro offers tourists a luxurious and culturally immersive wellness experience, allowing them to rejuvenate their bodies and minds in the natural beauty and timeless traditions of Bhutan. Optional: Lighting the butter lamps at Kyichu Lhakhang. Lighting butter lamps at Kyichu Lhakhang has a deep significance in Bhutanese culture and Buddhist tradition. Kyichu Lhakhang, located in Paro, is one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples, dating back to the 7th century. Lighting butter lamps at this ancient and revered site is a spiritual practice with profound symbolismandmeaning. Butter lamps, traditionally made fromyak butter and filledwith oil, are lit as an offering to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The act of lighting these lamps symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and ignorance, offering enlightenment and clarity on the path to enlightenment. In Buddhism, making offerings, including lighting butter lamps, leads to the accumulation of merit (good karma). Overall, the lighting of butter lamps at Kyichu Lhakhang is a sacred and deeply meaningful ritual that embodies the essence of Bhutanese spirituality and Buddhist devotion. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. You'll be transferred to the airport in time to catch your connecting flight to your next destination. ***END OF TOUR***