08- DAYS BHUTAN HAPPINESS TOUR

Welcome to Bhutan – The Land of Happiness. Bhutan is a land of magic, fairytales, mysticism and traditions. It is a country with fluttering prayer flags, majestic monasteries & mountains and undisturbed ecology. It is also the only country that has embraced the principle of Gross National Happiness, which lays importance to Happiness over haphazard economic growth. Bhutan is also a Carbon negative country and absorbs more carbon than it produces.
Thank you very much for choosing to travel with Authentic Bhutan Tours – We will ensure you all have a most memorable and wonderful trip. We not only provide you with the best itineraries to perfectly suit your holiday requirements but make every possible attempt to show you the best hospitality. We take pride in having a team of experienced and professional in this service and hospitality Industry in Bhutan. A dedicated English speaking Bhutanese guide and a chauffeured driven SUV car will be with you throughout your trip in Bhutan.
We wholeheartedly welcome you to Bhutan, perhaps the last Shangri-La and experience Bhutan like never before, with our customized tour packages and return back doubling your Happiness Quotient.

TOUR OVERVIEW
You have ample opportunity to relax and explore the farthest reach into popular sightseeing spots of western Bhutan during your 08 – Days Bhutan Happiness tour. You will also get time to get off the beaten track in Phobjikaha valley, the winter home to Black-necked crane bird in Bhutan and also the Haa Valley, yet another scenic valley to explore. The visit to majestic Punakha Dzong and Tashichhodzong and significantly breathtaking religious sites of Taktshang Monastery are some of the highlights of your trips. Impeccable old ruins and unique architecture gives places its glory. It is the most visited and photographed of all the monuments in Bhutan. Meanwhile, you are going to experience short hike to Gangtey Natural Trail completely soaked into the wild pine forest and open meadow.

ITINERARY
Day: 01. Arrive at Paro International Airport – Transfer to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
➢ Drive to Thimphu.
➢ Lunch at Thimphu.
➢ Visit Memorial Chhorten (It was built in 1974 in the memory of third king late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.)
➢ Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) (This gigantic statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world).
➢ Evening, visit Trachichho Dzong (is an architectural delight and houses the throne room, and the office of His Majesty the king and the ministries of home affairs and finance).
➢ Dinner at Hotel.
(Stay at Thimphu- Hotel Pedling or similar standard).
Day: 02 THIMPHU STAY
➢ B/fast at Hotel.
➢ Visit Drupthop Dewachen Nunnery (The Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel, who is considered an emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo).
➢ Visit Takin Mini-zoo (To see the National Animal of Bhutan, Takin).
➢ Lunch at Town.
➢ Visit Paper Factory (to see traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho).
➢ Craft Bazar (A spectacle of traditional bamboo huts, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, showcase wide range of authentic Bhutan-made art and craft products).
➢ Stroll around Town.
➢ Dinner at Hotel.
(Stay at Thimphu- Hotel Pedling or similar standard).
Day: 03 THIMPHU – PUNAKHA/WANGDI
➢ Drive to Punakha/Wangdi over dochula pass (3150m).
➢ Lunch will be served at Lobesa.
➢ Hike to Chhimi Lhakhang at Lobesa. (Known as the temple of fertility).
➢ Visit Punakha Dzong. (This dzong is the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan and located majestically at the confluence of Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River).
➢ Evening at leisure.
➢ Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Punakha/wangdi.
(Stay at hotel Meripuensum or similar standard).
Day: 04 PUNAKHA/WANGDI – PHOBJIKHA
(DAY EXCURSION)
➢ B/fast at hotel.
➢ Drive to Gangtey and Phobjikha.
➢ Visit Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang – (This temple is one of the most important temple in Nyingmapa Sect of Buddhism in Bhutan).
➢ Gangtey Natural Trail hike. (This is one of the easiest hike in Bhutan through pine forest and open meadow).
➢ Lunch at Phobjikha.
➢ Drive back to Hotel, Punakha/Wangdi.
➢ Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
(Stay at hotel Meripuensum or similar standard).
Day: 05 PUNAKHA/WANGDI – PARO
➢ B/fast at Hotel.
➢ Drive to Paro.
➢ Lunch at Paro.
➢ Visit to Paro National Museum. (It holds fascinating collections of art, relics, religious Thangka paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps).
➢ Paro Dzong (It is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs).
➢ Stroll around Paro town.
➢ Dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel.
(Stay at Paro- Mandala Resort or similar standard)
Day 06 PARO – HAA (DAY EXCURSION)
➢ B/fast at hotel.
➢ Drive to Haa over Chelela Pass- the higest pass that our car can take us during your stay in Bhutan.
➢ Visit Lhakhang Karpo- (Lhakhang Karpo was established in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gempo in his mission to build 108 monasteries in one day).
➢ Visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Lhakhang Nagpo serves as the seat for the guardian deity Da Do Chen).
➢ Visit Haa small town.
➢ Lunch at Haa.
➢ Drive back to Paro.
➢ Evening at leisure.
➢ Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
(Stay at Paro- Mandala Resort or similar standard).
Day: 07 PARO STAY
➢ B/fast at Hotel.
➢ Hike to Taktshang Monastery. (It is the most important and religious significance to Bhutanese people as well as to Buddhism world. It is the most visited and photographed of all the monuments in Bhutan).
➢ Visit to Kyichu Lhakhang (It is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo).
➢ Leisure at Town.
➢ Dinner at Hotel.
(Stay at Paro- Mandala Resort or similar standard).
Day: 08 PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIPROT
➢ B/fast at Hotel.
➢ Drive to Airport.
➢ Flight for onward destinations.

TRANSPORT
Authentic Bhutan Tours vehicles are luxurious and air-conditioned catering to the comforts of our guests as well as ensuring a smooth ride over the mountainous and winding roads of Bhutan. With high ride quality and extended legroom, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape from the inside of our cars. All our cars are driven by well experienced and licensed drivers. We will make sure you enjoy your holiday to Bhutan and the comforts of our luxurious fleet of cars.

VISA &PERMITS
We will send your Visas and permits well in advance for your visit to Bhutan. For this, we need the scan copy of your passport. After the approval, we will send you the copy through your email.

COMPLIMENTS FROM AUTHENTIC BHUTAN TOUR –
Farmhouse Visit – We help you experience affordable and comfortable accommodation in one of the farmhouses in a most rustic location.
A Traditional hot stone bath – Experience Traditional hot stone bath in one of the Bhutanese farmhouse. White round stones picked up from the riversides are roasted in fire until red hot and then immersed in a wooden tub of fresh spring water sprinkled with herbs. These hot stones baths are supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.
Archery/ Khuru -Try hands at Archery (national game of Bhutan) or khuru.
*note that this are possible only in the farmhouse.
Gifts- We prepare a small token of gift at the end of your trip as a gesture of gratitude.

TASHI DELEK AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING