Tashi Delek and welcome to Bhutan. Our local representative will greet you at the only international airport in Bhutan that is located in Paro(2,262m), Western Bhutan. Have a nice shot at Paro Airport Birds Eye View Point, then you can check in at your sweet hotel for a good rest while getting used to the time difference.

Today, you will receive special offers from the AOT team:
Dress in Bhutan's National Dress (Gho or Kira) for a complimentary photo session.

Meals：None

Accommodation：Paro

Today, we will drive from Paro city to the start point of the hiking route of the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Tiger's Nest by foot (5 hours for a round trip), and you can have a rest at the view terrace which is located at the halfway point of the hiking road. Also, you can choose to ride a horse(self-paying) from the camp base to the Taktsang Cafeteria (lunch spot). 

Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Goemba, Takhtsang Lakhang, Paro Taktshang), first built in 1692, is the iconic landmark of Bhutan. As a world cultural heritage, it is sited on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro valley. It is said that Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist saint) rode a tigress to the current site of the monastery and meditated in a cave for 3 years 3 months and 3 days. Now it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bhutan and a sacred religious site for Bhutanese to pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.

After the Tiger's Nest hike, it is time to visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara). It is one of the 108 Buddhist temples built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century (around 659 AD), and it is believed to have been constructed to subdue the left leg of the Tibetan witch. In the main hall of Kyichu Lhakhang, you can see the revered statue of an 8-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha, believed to have been created during the same period as the Jowo statue in the Ramoche Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. It is considered a national treasure of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Optional Bhutan Experiences: Bhutan Traditional Hot Stone Bath (1 hour). A visit to Bhutan without enjoying the health benefits hot stone bath would be incomplete. After the hiking, a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath is perfect to relax in the water heated by hot river stones roasted on the fire.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Paro

In the morning, we will head to Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu (72km, about 2.5h) via Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge. After sightseeing in Thimphu (2,360m) with Buddha Dordenma Statue, National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Takin Preserve, and Tashichho Dzong. Then have a good rest in your hotel.

Tamchog Lhakhang(Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, Tachog Lhakhang) is located by the Paro river on the way to Thimphu from Paro. To get to the temple we must walk across a unique iron chain bridge with colorful fluttering prayer flags. Both the Lhakhang and the iron bridge are built by the saint Thangthong Gyalpo (1385-1464, Tibetan polymath). As the "King of the Empty Plain", Thangthong Gyalpo is now commonly known as the "Iron Bridge Maker". Enjoy his pioneering old-aged buildings left till today.

Buddha Dordenma Statue (Kuenselphodrang, Buddha Point) is a landmark of Thimphu city and you can have a great view of the Thimphu Valley there. With 51.5m in height, built of bronze and gilded in gold, the statue is famed as the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world and there are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed within it. The statue was finished in 2015(built for 9years) to fulfill an ancient prophecy to emanate an aura of happiness and peace all over the world.

National Memorial Chorten is the most visited landmark of Thimphu which was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk(the Father of Modern Bhutan) by his mother. Due to the idea of Jigme Dorji, this stupa is dedicated to world peace and prosperity. It is a Tibetan-style chorten with amazing paintings and brilliant sculptures, you can see the classical stupa pattern like the pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. It is also a good place to meet local Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day in a clockwise direction for praying.

Motithang Takin Preserve (Takin Zoo, Takin Sanctuary) is a wildlife reserve for Takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley (Divine Madman), the famous Tibetan saint, is said to be responsible for the creation of Takin which has the head of a goat and the body of a cow.

Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the "Fortress of the glorious religion", it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (at the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Thimphu

Time to say goodbye to Bhutan, the beautiful Himalayan country. Our local representative will meet you at your hotel and send you to the Paro International Airport(50km,1.5h). Happiness is a place, wish you had to get the happiness and great memories from the Bhutantrip with us. We look forward to seeing you again, Tashi Delek!

Note:
Please note that some of the sites in the itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the right to alter the itinerary. The changes in itinerary will mainly base on improving your tour experience in Bhutan.

Meals：Breakfast     

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