Amazing Bhutan – Summer Special

Brimming with smiling faces and mesmerizing mountain ranges, Bhutan is perhaps one of those few places in the world where the economy’s health is measured by Gross Happiness Product (GHP). This Himalayan Kingdom also happens to be the only carbon negative country in the world, implying that the country absorbs more carbon dioxide each year than it emits. Your awe-inspiring holiday in Bhutan begins with your arrival in Paro. Be greeted by a MakeMyTrip representative at the Airport; he/she will brief you about the tour, itinerary, inclusions as well as cultural practices of Bhutan, including some do’s and don’ts. Head to Thimphu later on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat-in-coach), as the scenic drive treats you with views of mesmerizing mountains and flowing rivers. The distance between Paro and Thimphu is 70 km and would be covered in approximately 1.5 hours.

On reaching Thimphu, check-in at the hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You could book a relaxing massage (at an additional cost) at any premium hotel. This relaxing massage would include transfers from and to the hotel on a private vehicle. This is only a suggested activity and is not included in the package. You could purchase this activity at the time of booking this package.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast, you would be picked up from your hotel, at a tentative time of 8.30 am, for local sightseeing on a seat-in-coach basis. You would visit the Simtokha Dzong – a monastery built in 1627 that today houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Then, you would go to the Memorial Chorten (Entry Fee not included) which is the most visible religious structure in Thimphu and the Buddha View Point. The view of the valley from this point is as magnificent as the statue of Lord Buddha that resides on the premises. You could grab lunch here (own expense) at one of the local eateries and sample the local delicacies of Bhutan.

After lunch, your sightseeing would continue as you procced to the Takin Mini Zoo. The Zoo houses the Takin – the national animal of Bhutan that looks like a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that it was created by the great Buddhist yogi – Drupa Kunley. The animal is indigenous to Bhutan and its surrounding regions. After the zoo, you would be taken to Tashichho Dzong – a strikingly large structure, surrounded by manicured lawns and beautiful gardens, which houses the throne room, offices of the secretariat and the King.

After taking in the sights of Thimphu, you would be dropped off at the hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and then get picked up from the hotel, tentatively at 8.30 am, for local sightseeing on a seat-in-coach basis. You would visit the Arts & Craft School – the Institute for Zorig Chusum or the Painting School – where students are taught and trained in the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. Then, see the extensive collection of Buddhist manuscripts at National Library; followed by a visit to the Textile Museum to learn about the national art of weaving. Here, you will see exhibits on major weaving techniques, styles of local dresses and textiles made by women and men. You can grab lunch (own expense) at one of the local eateries and sample local delicacies of Bhutan. For recommendation on restaurants in Thimphu, you could ask the guide.

After lunch, your sightseeing continues as you visit the Zilukha Nunnery or Drubthob Goemba – a monastery which offers a view of Tashichhoedzong. After this, you would be taken to the Handicraft Emporium where an extensive range of colorful, hand woven textiles and other craft products will be available for purchase.

In the evening, you would be dropped back at the hotel for dinner and stay.

(In case day 3 of your tour is a Tuesday or Wednesday, you could visit the Craft Bazaar – a bazaar marked by a spectacle of traditional bamboo huts, showcasing a wide range of authentic Bhutan-made art and craft products.)

Today after enjoying a lovely breakfast, you would be transferred to Punakha. The transfer would be on a seat-in-coach basis and tentative pick-up time would be 8.30 am. The distance between Thimphu and Punakha is 75 km and would take approximately 3 hours to cover. En route, you would making stops to do some sightseeing. The first stop on the roster would be Dochula view point. The Dochula pass is 45-minutes from Thimphu and perched at 3100m, offering a glimpse of the Himalayan range. As you come closer to Punakha valley, you would stop at Chimi Lhakhang or the Fertility Temple. This sacred temple was made in honour of Lama Drukpa Kunley. Childless women go to the temple to receive a blessing or empowerment from the saint. It is a 20-minutes long pleasant walk from road at Sopsokha to the temple. En route, you would also cross an archery ground.

Then, you would visit the Punakha Dzong. It stands majestically on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers and is one of the most photogenic of all of Bhutan’s ancient fortresses. The dzong joins the mainland by an arched wooden bridge and houses many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom from this valley.

In the evening, return to the hotel in Punakha for a comfortable overnight stay after a delectable dinner.

After a delicious breakfast, you would head to Paro. The transfer would be on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat in coach). The distance to Paro is about 150 km and would take approximately 5 hours.

After checking in at the hotel in Paro, you have the rest of the day at leisure. You could go on a Bicycle Tour (at an additional cost) and cycle from Paro to Thimphu while appreciating the country’s natural beauty and cultural wealth. The 65 km one way distance takes around 2.5 hours to cover and the return journey would be in a vehicle. The serene atmosphere makes a perfect setting for a picturesque exploration. This is only a suggested activity and is not included in the package. You could purchase this activity at the time of booking this package.

Later return to the hotel; enjoy a warm and comforting dinner before you retire for the night.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then head out approximately at 8.30 am for local sightseeing, on a seat-in-coach basis. Visit the National Museum of Paro that proudly displays antique items gathered from different parts of the country, in a revamped Ta-dzong building. Then, head to one of the oldest temples in Bhutan – the Kyichu Lhakhang. It is believed that this temple was built in 659 to subdue a demoness residing in the Himalayas.

After marveling at the beautiful attractions of Paro, make your way to a Brewery (*valid only for customers booked on the Deluxe, Premium and Luxury categories). Discover the heritage of the locally produced beer and browse the many selections provided. And also get a chance to taste some of the local varieties.

Customers booked on a standard category package would head to a local market for lunch (own expense), and later explore the market for purchasing holiday souvenirs. Please note, an excursion to the Beer Factory can be availed at an additional cost at the time of booking the package or any time before travelling by customers booked on a standard category package. Please note that limited snacks and beer will be served.

In the evening, return to the hotel for a warm and comforting dinner before you retire for the night.

Note: Excursion to Beer Factory can be availed only by tourists above 25 years of age.

Get set to explore more of Paro after a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Head out from the hotel at approximately 8.30 am on a shared basis in a bus/coach (seat in coach) to visit the famous Tiger’s Nest Temple (entry fee not included), also known as the Temple or Taksang Monastery. Perched precariously on the edge of a 1200 m cliff, this monastery is an impressive sight and the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Do note that the up-hill hike would take around 2 hours, so it is recommended you wear comfortable walking shoes and carry light refreshments with water. An option to ride a horse from the parking lot to the monastery is also available. Alternately, you could also hike for about an hour to reach a cafeteria – a wooden tea-house restaurant which offers a good view of the monastery.

After that thrilling excursion, make your way to a local farmhouse to get a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a typical Bhutanese family. Here, you could take part in Bhutan’s national sport – Archery. Deck-up in Bhutan’s national dress (gho and kira) to click pictures and also gulp down Ara, a local beverage made of rice.

At the end of the tour, treat your taste buds to a mouthwatering buffet lunch, accompanied by a beverage. Drool over local flavorsome cuisines while taking in the aroma of curries, marked by a blend of spices. Gulp down the scrumptious food with a refreshing beverage.

In the evening, you would be dropped at the hotel, with dinner and a comfortable overnight stay to end the day

After breakfast, you would check out from the hotel and head to the airport, on a seat-in-coach basis to board your return flight. Head back to India with memories galore and an increase in your personal happiness index.