Today, we will depart Thimphu (2360m) and drive to Punakha (74km, about 2.5h) via Dochula Pass, Wangduephodrang Dzong, and Chimi Lhakhang. When arrive Punakha you can have a visit to Punakha Dzong. 

Dochula Pass (108 memorial chortens) is a place in honor of 108 Bhutanese Soldiers, there are 108 stupas called the "Druk Wangyal Chortens" representing each soldier's life that was lost in the war of December 2003. The pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags which are symbols of veneration and the best wishes for peace and prosperity for Bhutan. If the weather is good, the Dochula Pass will become the best platform to get breathtaking views of the snow-covered Himalayas.

After a short break at Dochula again we will drive towards Punakha.On arrival at Punakha we will quickly post your lunch at selected resturant and after lunch we will have a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang.The hike will be a beautiful walk by a small village of fertility.

Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple, Chime Lhakhang) is located on a hillock among the rice field and is a pilgrimage for a childless couple to seek blessings. The monk there blesses the couple with a wooden phallus that is believed to have the power to help the childless couple conceive a child. This temple is associated with the famous Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529, Divine Madman, Tibetan saint), who is famed for using his phallus to guide people to enlightenment and subdue demons. That is why you can see the symbol of phalluses scattered everywhere. You can buy handicraft souvenirs here with the phallic symbol in various colors, shapes, and sizes.

Punakha Dzong stands at the junction of two great rivers called the Pho Chu river (father river) and Mo Chu river (mother river). As the palace of great happiness or bliss, it is also known as the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. It was first built in 1637 by the founder of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and was played as the administrative center and the seat of the Bhutanese official till the capital city was moved from Punakha to Thimphu in 1955. Now, this Dzong is served as the winter residence for Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. In 2011, the Dzong witnessed the royal wedding ceremony of the 5th Bhutan's King, His Majesty Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck to Queen Jetsun Pema. If you visit Bhutan in May, you will be amazed by the breathtaking purple-blue jacaranda blooms outside the fortress.

And later evening after Punakha dzong visit than we will have a short walk to the longest suspension bridge and later during late evening check in to the hotel in Punakha.

This morning we will visit back to paro from Punakha (144km, about 3-4h). In the afternoon, explore Ta- Dzong( National Meseum/Ringpong Dzong.

After breakfast we will drive back to Paro via Dochula Pass.We will take at least of 3-4 hours from Punakha to Paro.Well today we will drive back to Paro and en-route we will have a short stop near by a small river bank and then we will drive by brid view of Paro International Airport.On arrivel at Paro we will post our Lunch at Paro town and then during afternoon we will proceed towards Paro Ta-Dzong the National Meseum and then also we will visit Paro Ringpong Dzong.

After completing the above sightseeing if the guest wills than we will take then to try a Bhutanese national dress where we get on hire.

 So,now we will check in to the hotel at Paro. HALT AT PARO.

After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery (approx. 5 hours round trip walk): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’

The hike to the monastery makes a splendid half day excursion.

Later in the afternoon visit the Paro Valley Viewpoint.And during evening we will visit one of the farm house for the relaxation of our body by doing a herbal hot stone bath.

Then during late evening we will check in to the hotel and prepare for your next destination.

After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

                                           TASHI DELEK 

        བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས