Tiger Nest express

Itinerary

Day 1: Thimphu

Stop At: Thimphu’s Weekend Market, Chhogyal Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro
International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall.
Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize you to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu,
check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. After which,
you will visit the National Memorial Chorten which is built in honor of the late King
Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Thimphu Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan, is also the seat
of the office of the King of Bhutan. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday most of the
Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the Thimphu river where the
Weekend Centenary Farmers’ Market is held. Here villagers from the valley and
other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products. Thereafter, we will drive
up to Kuenselphodrang Nature Park where the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha
Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha is located. It one of the largest statue of Buddha in
the world. You can enjoy the night walking around Thimphu Town after dinner and
may be walk into a bar for some local beer.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Paro

Stop At: National Folk Heritage Museum, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
After breakfast, our first stop will be at the National Folk Heritage Museum,
dedicated to preserving Bhutanese folk arts. This renovated 19th-century building is
laid out like a traditional, rural household with three stories of traditional arts Es,
cultural relics, and artifacts. Demonstrations are performed throughout the day to
show how the Bhutanese people have lived over the centuries.
At the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, you will see the ancient practice of natural
papermaking. Using the bark of two local tree species (Daphne and Dhekap),
craftsmen demonstrate how to make the traditional paper Deh-sho. You can even
try making your own paper for a special souvenir. Handmade papers were used by
monks for writing prayers and woodblock printing.

Weaving is considered the national art of Bhutan, so at The National Textile
Museum, you will learn all about the brightly colored and beautifully designed
fabrics that are worn by the Bhutanese people. Thanks in part to our Queen Jetsun
Pema, the fabrics of Bhutan are widely considered high fashion around the world.
Due to the importance of this living art form, the Royal Government of Bhutan
works to preserve and promote these traditional weaving methods.
We then take a drive to Motithang Takin Preserve, home to one of the strangest
looking creatures on earth. The takin is a gentle moose-like animal that is described
as looking like is was stung by a bee. Originally a small zoo, the king decreed that it
was not in alignment with Buddhist practices to pen up animals, and they were
released into the wild. The takin; however, refused to leave and began wandering
the city streets in search of food. The preserve was established, and Bhutan’s
national animal is now taken care of by royal decree.
We end the day with a visit to Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629, it was the first fortress
of its kind in Bhutan and features beautifully painted Buddhist murals and carvings
inside. Simtokha means “demon stone” and legend has it that the fortress was used
to contain a demon inside a rock which was terrorizing the region. Today, it is home
to one of the premier monk-taught Dzongkha learning centers, the national language
of Bhutan.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: over night in paro

Day 3: Paro

Stop At: Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), Taktsang Trail, Paro 11001 Bhutan
Are you ready? We will be making the hike up to one of the key highlights in Bhutan
today! Tiger’s Nest aka Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang Monastery – A one hour hike
to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of
the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru
Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. Kyichu
Lhakhang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu
Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: over night in paro 3star hotel