Kathmandu Paro Thimphu Bumthang Punakha Luxury Tour

07/04/2013 15:43

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Places covered: Kathmandu - Paro - Thimphu - Trongsa - Bumthang - Punakha - Delhi

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1	To Kathmandu Overnight flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu (N)
Day 2	Kathmandu Afternoon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the Soaltee Crowne Plaza (or similar) for 2 nights. (N)
Day 3	Kathmandu Morning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon visit to the temple at Pashupatinath and Bodhnath, a religious centre for Nepal’s considerable Tibetan population. (B)
Day 4	To Paro Morning flight from Kathmandu to Paro. Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, now the National Museum. On the way back, stroll through Paro market and along the Paro river. Stay overnight at Gangtey Palace / Tashi Namgay Resort*. (B, L, D)
Day 5	To Thimphu Drive to the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Afternoon city tour includes the National Library. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Kisa / Hotel Jumolhari. (B, L, D)
Day 6	Thimphu Morning sightseeing in Thimphu, including the National Memorial Chorten. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 7	To Trongsa A long drive to Trongsa via Wangdiphodrang Dzong, a monastery at the confluence of two rivers, and then over Pele-la Pass (3,300 metres / 10,800ft). Stay overnight at Yangkhil Resort / Phuenshi Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 8	To Bumthang Morning visit to Ta Dzong and Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture built in 1647. Proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan. Stay at the Mountain Lodge (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L, D)
Day 9	Bumthang Morning visit to Kurje Lhakhang, regarded as one of the most sacred places in the kingdom. Continue to Jambey Lhakhang Temple, erected by Tibetan kings in the seventh century. This afternoon, see the ancient Buddhist wall paintings at Tamshing Lhakhang and visit Jakar Dzong, a former monastery now used as the administrative centre of the Bumthang valley and the regional monk body. (B, L, D)
Day 10	To Punakha Early morning visit to Bumthang market before driving to Punakha via Wangdiphodrang. Stay 2 nights at the Meri Puensum / Hotel Zangtho Pelri. (B, L, D)
Day 11	Punakha Morning tour of Punakha, including the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress. (B, L, D)
Day 12	To Paro Drive to Paro and stay 2 nights at the Gangtey Palace / Tashi Namgay Resort*. (B, L, D)
Day 13	Tiger’s Nest & Rinpung Dzong Morning trek to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of more than 800 metres. The return walk takes about five hours. Afternoon visit to Rinpung Dzong. (B, L, D)
Day 14	To Kathmandu Morning flight to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar). (B)
Day 15	To New Delhi Fly from Kathmandu to New Delhi, with Jet Airways. (B)