4 Days Bhutan Short Break Family Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit Tschogang Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong and Local Bazzar.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese.

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. And you can have a brief rest at your hotel if you need. Later, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

In the evening, you are able to take a stroll in the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar is full of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, etc. If you like, you can choose some gifts for your friends and relatives here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Highlights: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Library of Bhutan,  Changangkha Lhakhang and King's Memorial Chorten.

Today’s tour will firstly bring you to explore the National Library of Bhutan. Built in 1967, it houses about 6,100 Tibetan and Bhutanese books, manuscripts, and xylographs and about 9,000 printing boards and the wood printing blocks for religious books. If you are interested in the history of Bhutan, the National Library can be the best place for you to have a deeper understanding of this unique country.

Next, you are going to visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (also known as the Painting School). It operates four to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. In the showroom, it displays good value pieces made by students. After that, you can pay a visit to Bhutan Textile Museum. The museum has garnered a substantial collection of antique textile artifacts of Bhutan.

In the afternoon, your guide will bring you to visit Changangkha Lhakhang. It is a Buddhist fortress-like monastery and also is one of the favored sightseeing places in Thimphu. More importantly, you can get a breathtaking view of Thimphu valley from here. Thereafter, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

After sightseeing in Thimphu, the car will drive you back to Paro along the scenic way. If time permits, you may visit Simtokha Dzong en route, which is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Ta Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong in Paro.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike.

Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal 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 glory.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro. In the afternoon, you will visit Bhutan National Museum - Ta Dzong. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. A visit to the National Museum will deepen your understanding of this country in a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.

Thereafter, you will continue your tour to Paro Rinpung Dzong, a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

In the evening, you can freely explore Paro to experience its unique lifestyle here.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.