Best of Bhutan "The Kingdom of Happiness"

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi takes pride in being the capital of the country for many dynasties. It is in fact a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. A vibrant melting pot, it encapsulates two very different worlds, the 'old' and the 'new', each representing delectably different experiences. Come experience it...
Overnight Hotel – Delhi

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Day 02: Delhi
Post breakfast start your day with a private guided city of Old Delhi
Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation20on 31 January 1948.
Continue the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India.
Experience the rickshaw ride ‘a friendly local guides takes you through the bustling streets for an authentic glimpse of the ‘walled city’ in the heart of Delhi. As you travel by foot and rickshaw, explore KhariBaoli, Spice Market, Visit a Sikh temple & admire historical land mark and more…

Post lunch Continue private guided tour of New Delhi:
Drive past India Gate, and memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.
President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India.
Qutub Minar built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. QutubMinar& its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enjoy rest of the free time enjoy light sightseeing of Delhi & shopping at some High end Fashion stores of South Delhi – One of the most happening places of Delhi. Visit Craft Emporiums etc with our shopping expert.

Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

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Day 03: Delhi – Paro {KB 205 @ 1155/ 1550 Hrs}
Paro – Thimphu (58 Kms / 1.5 Hrs Approx.)
Post breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival by International flight and collection of baggage, you will be welcomed by our tour Exceptional Escapes representative who will be your tour guide during your entire trip in Bhutan.
Check into your hotel in Thimphu. Free until lunch time for some rest from early morning flight, refreshment and lunch. If time permit then guided visit of following places:-

TachogangLhakhang; TachogangLhakhang is located in Paro district, on the way to Thimphu. It was founded by ThankthongGyelpo after he experienced a vision of Guru Rimpochhe, Amitaba and Avalokiteshvara near site. The caretakers today are said to be descendants of ThangtongGyelpo. Inside the temple one can see the masters relics, including his walking stick.

TashichhoDzong; The TashichhoDzong is a Buddhist monastery cum fortress at the northern edge of Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan. The Dzong was built on the western bank of the river Wang Chu, and has historically served at the seat of the DrukDesi or the Dharma Raja of Bhutan’s government. After the kings assumed power in 1907 this post was combined with that of the king and Thimphu severed as the summer caital of the kingdom before becoming the full time capital of Bhutan.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Thimphu (L, D)

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Day 04: Thimphu
Post breakfast proceed to visit guided sightseeing of Thimpu visiting:

Kuensel Phodrang; The KuenselPhodrang or the Buddha point isthe world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, the statue is 167 feet high. The statue is situated on top of a hill overlooking the city of Timphu, it can be accessed by road and is about 15 minutes away from the city’s center. The word Kuensel means everything is clear and from this place you will sure enjoy a great view of the Thimphu Valley on both sides. The statute will house a temple inside it, the statue and its adjoining car park and recreational center.

National Memorial Chorten; The National Memorial was built by Bhutan's third king, H.M. JigmeDorjiWangchuck who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan." He wanted to erect a monument carrying the message of world peace and prosperity. However, he was unable to give shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state and other regal responsibilities.

MotithangTakinPreserve; The MotithangTakin Preserve also known as the Thimphu Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin Bhutan’s national animal. It was originally a mini zoo, but it was converted in a preserve later on as the Takin. The mini zoo contained a small number of Takin but the King of Bhutan later decreed that it was improper for a Buddhist nation to keep an animal in captivity.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Thimphu (B, L, D)

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Day 05: Thimphu – Punakha (84 Kms / 2-3 Hrs)
Post breakfast, start your drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass. We will stop over for tea at Dochula (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. The Dochu La Pass is probably the best known mountain pass in Bhutan. Located at an altitude of 3150 meter above sea level, the Dochu La Pass is about 30 kilometer away from the capital city Thimphu and the road to Punakha.On a clear day the pass offers visitors a spectacular view of the majestic eastern Himalayan Ranges.

PunakhaDzong; The PunakhaDzong or the PungtangDechenPhortangDzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu which in turn is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Dzhong was constructed by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyalWangchuck in 1638.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Punakah (B, L, D)

Day 06: Punakha – Trongsa (138 Kms / 4-5 Hrs Approx.)
Post breakfast guided visit of Trongsa Dzong; The Trongsa Dzong or the Cheokhor Rabdentse is one of the largest and most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong is located on a cliff overlooking the Mangde Chu river gorge. The Dzong was built at the site of a temple that was constructed in 1543, by a Drukpa Lama. This huge multi-level fortress comprises of a series of courtyards and passageways that are built along the topography of the ridge.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Trongsa (B, L, D)

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Day 07: Trongsa – Bumthang (79 Kms / 2-3 Hrs)
Post breakfast, we will drive towards Bumthang and visit Jakar Dzong. The Jakar Dzong is situated above the Jakar village in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang. The Dzhong was originally a site of a monastery that was being constructed at the time of Lama Ngagi Wanchuck’s visit to Bhutan. According to legend during the construction of the Dzong a white bird emerged from the structure and perched itself on the site. In Bhutanese culture a white bird is considered to be auspicious.

Jambay Lhakhang; Jambay Lhakhang was built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. The temple was blessed by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang. It is said that Guru Rimpoche was the one who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. It was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life with his magical powers. Many believe that there is a natural lake under the temple in which Guru Rimpoche took refuge on several occasions.

Chimi Lhakhang; The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings and due to this also known as "Divine Madman". This temple is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning "field". It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to Chimi Lhakhang.  After Lunch drive approx 3 hours to Gangtey.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Bumthang (B, L, D)

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Day 08: Bumthang – Gangtey (165 Kms / 5-6 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Gangtey and visit Gangtey Goemba. The Gangtey Monastery or the Gangtey Goempa is an important monastery / temple associate with the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. The Monastery is Located in the Wandue Phodrang Dzhongkhag in central Bhutan. The Gangtey Monastery is situate in the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, which is also renowned for being the winter home of the rare Tibetan Black Necked Cranes. The monastery was established in 1613 by Peling Gyalse Rinpoche, the grandson of Trenton Pema Lingpa the great treasurer discoverer.

Phobjikha valley; The Phobjikha is a wide glacial valley located in close to the Gangtey Monastery. The Phobjikha valley is the winter home of the rare Black Necked Cranes that migrate from Tibet from the arid plains of Tibet to roost in the more comfortable climate of the Phobjikha Valley. The valley is at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level and experiences a much lighter winter as compared to the harsh extremes of Tibet.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Gangtey (B, L, D)

Day 09: Gangtay – Paro (125 Kms/ 3-4 Hrs Approx.)
Post breakfast drive to Paro en-route visiting Simtokha Dzong; The Simtokha Dzong is a small Dzong located approximately 5 kilometers south of Thimphu. The Dzong is officially called the Sangak Zabhon Phodrang which roughly translates to the Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras. The Simthoka Dzong is said to be the first fortress to have been built by the legendary Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in Bhutan. Later drive to Paro, on arrival transfer to hotel.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Paro (B, L, D)

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Day 10: Paro
Post breakfast, we will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world. It is a sight to behold.

Kyichu Lhakhang; The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The temple was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th Century AD. The Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples constructed by him to subdue a demon that was terrorizing the people of the Himalayas.
The Lhakahng underwent many extensions during the ages with the last one being carried out in 1965 by the Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck.

Rest of the time is FREE for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Paro (B, L, D)

Day 11: Paro
Post breakfast proceed for guided visit of Paro visiting the following places: Dumtse lhakang; The Dumtse lhakhang Temple is located just north of the city of Paro. The Dumtse Lhabhang temple is very unique in its design as it’s designed like a Chorten (Stupa), which is highly unlike any guide other Lhakhang / temple in Bhutan. The Temple was built in the 1443 AD by Thantong Gyalpo, known as the iron bridge builder in Bhutanese legend. The Dumatse Lhakhang is built over 3 levels that represent the 3 spiritual realms of earth i.e. Hell, Earth and Heaven. The walls of theDumtse Lhakhang are decorated in beautiful hand-painted murals that depict these 3 realms of earth.

To visit the Dumtse Lhakahng tourists require a special permit that has to be obtained in advance, we recommend that you ask your Bhutan Travel Agent to apply for the same if you wish to visit the temple before you depart from your home country. Another thing that BhutanTravelAgency.com recommends is that you must carry a flashlight with you while visiting the temple. The inner reaches of the temple are very dark and only illuminated by a few butter lamps and the odd small window.

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Rimpung Dzhong; The Paro Dzhong is probably Bhutan's best known and most iconic Dzhong. This is probably the first building you will notice when you land at Paro International Airportand will probably be your first memory of Bhutan.

The imposing Dzhong is perhaps the finest example of Dzhong architecture existing the world today, the massive buttered walls of the fortress dominate over the valley. The Rinpung Dzhong's names translates to the “Fortress on a heap of Jewels ".

In evening we will visit local market of Paro and overnight in a hotel in Paro.
Overnight Hotel – Paro (B, L, D)

Day 12: Paro – Delhi (Flight Details)
Transfer to airport to board your international flight for onward journey taking back a wonderful memory of Bhutan Holiday.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.