Welcome to the Dragon Kingdom!

Today, you will be arriving in the majestic mountain retreat of Bhutan. This hidden treasure of the Himalayas, known as the Dragon Kingdom, is still home to an ancient style of life. A stroll down the main street will take you to the bygone area where life is much simpler and serene. (L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

Hotel: Le Meridien Paro Riverfront, Paro

Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. North of town, the Taktsang Palphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17th century.

After breakfast, your tour of Paro includes visits to Ta Dzong, now the national museum, and fascinating RimpungDzong. Visit the interesting DrukgyelDzong from which one has a vivid view of Mt. Chomolhari on a clear day. (B=Breakfast, L, D)

Hotel: Le Meridien Paro Riverfront, Paro

After breakfast, and after hotel check-out, you will be driving through spectacular mountain views and peaceful countryside to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. You will stop enroute to visit a Bhutanese farmhouse traditionally surprisingly, built entirely without nails. Your tour of Thimphu includes visits to SimtokhaDzong and TashichhoDzong, the center of government and religion in Bhutan. Have a stroll to Changgankha Monastery, and visit the center of handicrafts in town. (B, L, D)

Hotel: Le Meridien, Thimphu

In the morning, visit the lively Weekend Market, where folks from outlying areas come to buy goods. Dressed in colorful traditional garb, these remote mountain dwellers descend upon the marketplace, creating perfect pictures as they barter among themselves and socialize with friends. In the afternoon, visit the memorial chorten built in memory of the late King JigmeDorjiWangchuck. (B, L, D)

Hotel: Le Meridien, Thimphu

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, occupies a valley in the country’s western interior. In addition to being the government seat, the city is known for its Buddhist sites. The massive Tashichho Dzong is a fortified monastery and government palace with gold-leaf roofs. The Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

Your first stop after leaving Thimphu is Dochula Pass. Situated at 10,500 feet above sea level, the pass offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Range and the valleys below. While in Punakha, visit PunakhaDzong, which the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, NgawangNamgyel, strategically built at the confluence of the Phochu and Mochu Rivers in 1637. (B, L, D)

Hotel: Le Meridien, Thimphu

Punakha is a town in the Himalayas of Bhutan. It’s known for the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress at the juncture of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers. The fortress hosts the Punakha Tshechu, a religious festival featuring masked dances and music. In the surrounding Punakha Valley, temples include the fertility-focused Chimi Lhakhang and the hilltop Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which has river and mountain views.

This morning, you will be driving for an overnight back to Paro. Rest of the day is at leisure, and enjoy your last day. (B, L, D)

Hotel: Le Meridien Paro Riverfront, Paro

This morning, board your flight for your homebound journey. (B)