Bhutan Tour: Secret Shangrila, Bhutan the land of mystery, Secret Shangri la 7 nights 8 days tour, 4 days journey to Bhutan, Bhutan Cultural tours

Bhutan : Secret Shangri La...

Bhutan is the best-kept secret in the travel industry. Due to its relative isolation, the country is not known to the outside world and until 1960, western visitors rarely visited the country. Today still, few people know of the beauty of Bhutan. The few who do visit this magical place find an ancient Buddhist culture thriving in a landscape of incredible natural beauty. The mountains are magnificent, the countryside green, the air pure and unpolluted and the architecture striking. Our tours and treks give you an intimate insight into Bhutan's Buddhist culture and way of life.

Sample Itineraries:
4 Days journey to Bhutan

Day 01(Mon)	Flight Kathmandu-Paro
	The flight into the Himalayas reveals breathtaking views of great peaks. You fly right into the Dragon Kingdom's cloud scraping airstrip at Paro (Altitude 7000 ft.). A Bhutanese escort from Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited (BTCL) will greet you on arrival and drive you through the beautiful Paro valley to your hotel situated on a breezy, pine scented hillside. After a refreshment take a stroll around the little town at Paro.
Day 02 (Tue)	Paro-Thimpu
	After breakfast a 2-hour drive through the Paro and Thimpu valleys to Thimpu the capital of Bhutan (Altitude 7500- ft.). Enroute visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of its kind. This fortress built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1627 once guarded the Thimpu valley.It is now a religious University. Drive to hotel for lunch, then visit the National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, the School of Thangkha painting and the Traditional Medicine Institute where centuries old healing arts are still practiced. Visit the Memorial Chorten to His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and take a 15 minute drive to Decheachholing to witness the gold and silver smiths at work. Then, the Tashichhodzong ("Fortress of the Glorious religion"), built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namkgyel. and reconstructed in 1961, using traditional methods. Without the use of any nails or plans the reconstuction was completed under the rule of late King Jigme Dorje Wangchuck, the father of modern Bhutan.
Day 03 (Wed)	Thimpu-Paro
	Visit the open market, where you can mingle in the hustle and bustle of shopping villagers. Then visit the Handicrafts Emporium for a little souvenir shopping. Lunch at the hotel. The afternoon is spent at leisure to visit the sights of Thimpu town. Drive back to Paro in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 (Thu)	Paro-Kathmandu
	Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to the airport to board the flight. Your BTCL escort will assist and bid you farewell.

7 Nights/8 Days Bhutan Cultural Tour
Itinerary:

Day 01 (Mon/Thurs)	Flight Kathmandu-Paro
	The flight into the Himalyas reveals breathtaking views of great peaks, taking you right into the Dragon kingdom's cloud scraping air-strip at Paro.Your Bhutanese tour guide will greet you on arrival to drive you through the beautiful Paro Vallley to your hotel situated on a breezy pine scented hillside. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 02 (Tue/Fri)	Paro
	Paro sightseeing includes:- A drive to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong (18 kms up Paro valley). Built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. On a clear day the 7314 m white-domed Namgyel peak of sacred Mt. Chomolhari (Mountain of Goddess) can be seen looming overhead. You visit the Taa Dzong-The National museum, housed in an ancient watch-tower. This museum has fine collection of ancient thankas paintings, textiles, weapons and other artifacts. Meals and overnight at the hotel. Evening at leisure
Day 03 (Wed/Sat)	Paro-Day Excursion to Taktsang
	Morning drive to Satsam Chorten. Take a 2 hour hike to Taktsang climbing 980m above the valley floor to the viewpoint of the monastery. You stop for lunch at Taktsang Jakhant. Then walk back to Satsam Chorten and return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 (Thu/Sun)	Paro-Thimpu (68 Kms)
	After breakfast an hour drive through the Paro and Thimpu valleys to the capital of Bhutan Thimpu, stopping at the hotel for lunch. An afternoon visit to the Memorial and the Handicrafts Emporium. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 (Fri/Mon)	Thimpu-Punakha/Wangdi (101 Kms)
	The drive to Punakha takes you through Dochula pass, 3100 m-site of one of Bhutans most enchanting views. On a clear day the whole range of the Himalaya stretching from east to west can be viewed. The journey continues through varying scenes of greenery to Punakha. View the Punakha Dzong from outside. This Dzong (fort) is set at the junction of the rivers Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river) with their waters merging in front. This Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of the central monks body. From Punakha, we rejoin the east-west highway at Lobeysa and continue eastwards at the Lodge.
Day 06 (Sat/Thu)	Wangdi-Thimpu
	Drive back to Thimpu Sight seeing in Thimpu includes-visit to the Painting School of Buddhist Art, the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Indigenious hospital, where centuries old healing arts are still praticed. Then, visit the Handicrafts emporium Meals and overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 (Sun/Wed)	Thimpu-Paro
	A leisure drive to Paro. Meals and overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 (Mon/Thu)	Paro-Kathmandu
	Breakfast at the hotel and drive to the airport to board your flight. Your BTCL representative will see you off and bid you farewell.