Best of Bhutan

A city of glaring contrasts, observe both new and old districts of Kolkata on a full-day tour. The city is regarded as India’s cultural capital and the morning is spent engaging with the many artisans and market sellers along the riverbanks of the Hooghly. Visit the colourful Flower Market (the largest in Asia) before heading to Kumartuli via the iconic Howrah Bridge. Kumartuli is a fascinating stop where craftsmen create intricately made beautiful idols out of straw and clay. The rest of the day is spent unveiling Kolkata’s history with stops at Dalhousie Square and the British-era buildings of St Pauls Cathedral and Victoria Memorial Hall.

Finish the day with a serene cruise along the Hooghly River.

Fly to Paro before transferring to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu. Juxtaposing modern development against ancient traditions, Thimphu is a fascinating spiritual city and the centre of Bhutan’s government, religious and commercial movements. After checking in to your hotel, embark on an engaging short walking tour through the lively main street and market area.

A traditional hot stone bath awaits you in the evening.

Delve deeper into Bhutanese culture today with further exploration of Thimphu and the surrounding valley. Begin the day with a short drive to Buddha Point for exceptional views of the city. An encompassing tour will follow visiting both spiritual sites including The King’s Memorial Chorten and the Institute for Zorig Chusum and cultural enterprises such as Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people. The city’s skyline is dominated by the Tashicho Dzong Fortress which you will visit later in the day along with the National Museum which houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.

This evening we recommend strolling through the local crafts bazaar.

The drive to Punakha is an incredible experience in itself as you travel along the beautiful Dochula Pass. With panoramic vistas of the Bhutanese Himalayas, the views are simply spectacular with the verdant valley below you in the shadows of some of the world’s highest mountains. 108 chortens line the way of the pass surrounded by prayer flags.

Further along the road to Punakha you can stop at the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers complemented with a stop at a local farmhouse for a traditional dinner.

Arrive in Punakha in the early evening and settle in for the night.

The undoubted highlight of your tour of the beautiful Punakha Valley will surely be the serene Punakha Dzong, which sits majestically on the riverbank. Many consider the Dzong as the country’s finest, epitomizing Bhutanese architecture and spiritual ambience.

This isn’t the only highlight in the valley though and a gently paced day will also include visits to the Nalanda Buddhist Institute to meet training monks and the temples of Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (nunnery).

Your final stop in Bhutan is the peaceful town of Paro reached after a full morning drive with a short stop at the Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country.

In the afternoon head into the Paro Valley to see the Ta Dzong perched on a hill and the Rinpung Dzong where wooden galleries line the inner courtyard displaying fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore.

Bhutan’s national sport is Archery and this evening observe the locals firing arrows into targets from staggering distances and try the sport yourself.

Your last full day in Bhutan is dedicated to the country’s most iconic sites – the Taktshang Monastery, which clings to the cliff edge nearly a kilometre above the Paro Valley floor. The most sacred of Bhutan’s monasteries, it is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

To reach it requires a 3-hour scenic hike each way although there are many viewing spots along the way.