Bhutan Escape Package for Female Travelers

After clearing immigration and customs , you will be greeted by your World Tour Plan guide and driver, and transferred to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, traveling through the spectacular countryside en route. All the houses and buildings in the Kingdom are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. If time perfects, you can visit Tacho lhakhang, which is located some 15 Minute drive from Paro.
On arrival in Thimphu check-in to your hotel.
Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Thimphu, both by vehicle and on foot. Your options include visits to the National Memorial Stupa and Takin Preserve – home to Bhutan’s most unusual national mammal.
Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

This morning visits the majestic Tashichhodzong and the newly consecrated Tara Lhaden Zhingkham lhakang (temple). Continue to the awesome Golden Buddha which also offers an excellent 3 km hike option with sensational valley views.
Other recommended places to visit are Chang yul park,Zorig Chusum – the Institute of the 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan, Green Weaving center, the Folk Heritage Museum; the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts; the hand-made paper making factory & the weekend market (Thu-Sun)
where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits & vegetables; home-wares, handicrafts and clothes.
Don’t forget to take a wander along Thimphu’s main street, Norzin Lam, which offers good shopping and the Craft Bazaar. For those who have an interest in quality weavings and local art, where you can interact with the weavers.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop a while to visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal which is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche.
From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness).
The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. Dinner and overnight in Punakha.

After breakfast drive to the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to The Wangdue Phodrang dzong which was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638 atop a high ridge between the Punak Tsang Chhu and the Dang Chhu, clearly chosen for its commanding view of the valleys below. Wangdi is important in the history of Bhutan because in the early days it was the country's second capital. Sadly, the dzong caught fire on 24 June 2012 and was virtually destroyed save for the lower walls. The mammoth task of rebuilding is expected to continue until 2021.
Legend relates that as people searched for a site for the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spreading of religion to the four points of the compass. After Trongsa Dzong was established in 1644, the penlop (governor) of Wangdue Phodrang became the third most powerful ruler, after Paro and Trongsa. The dzong's strategic position gave the penlop control of the routes to Trongsa, Punakha, Dagana and Thimphu.
Drive further to Limbukha village which is accessible by feeder road from Punakha and Wangdue.
Limbukha farmers are known for growing Bhutan's famous red rice which is supposed to have medicinal values. Limbukha is also known for its love of peace and tranquility. Legends say that during medieval wars the people of Limbukha always volunteered as peace negotiators. This is also depicted during annual festival when the Limbuk men are found carrying peace flags instead of swords and fireworks.
In the evening, hike to Khamsum Yuley Chorten.
Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten was built in 1990s and took period of nearly 10 years. It was built by Queen Mother and dedicated to the King and for the well-being of Bhutanese. It majestically located on a ridge, with amazing views of the country side. It is one of the finest Bhutanese architects
It is located in idyllic countryside north of Punakha; about 30 minutes’ drive from town. From the parking, it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. After return walk back, there is an option to walk along the riverside, following the ancient trail that goes through farmlands, homes, Sonagasa village and arrive near Punakha Dzong. This extra walk takes another two hours or so. It is particularly interesting for those interested in birding and to enjoy the walk viewing the countryside. Dinner
and overnight in Punakha.

Sightseeing Altitude
in Punakha: 1,242m Altitude in Gangtey: 2.900m Distance: 70km Estimated travel time:
3hr After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit the ruins of Wangdue
Dzong and the interesting local market. Further ahead pass through dense forests and
oak, and rhododendron trees, reaching at Gangtey . Evening take a walk around
Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this
region. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

After breakfast drive to from Gangtey to Paro takes about 4 and half hours, covering total of 165 km. From Phobjikha valley, climb back to the pass (3,360m) and join the main east-west lateral highway, just beneath Pele La pass. Descend through the changing vegetation’s to semi tropical Wangdiphodrang town. Continue west and climb up to Dochula pass (3,050m), where
you have another opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend to Paro from Dochula takes about 60 minutes. Afternoon sightseeing in Paro. Dinner and overnight in
Hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, hike up to Taktshang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in
the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months.
The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former beauty. After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.
Then drive back to hotel. On the way visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it
happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon. In the evening relax. Dinner and overnight in Paro.

In the morning, after breakfast representative from World Tour Plan will see you off at the Paro airport for your onward flight.