Rhododendron Festival in Bhutan (13th - 14th April 2024)

Meet and greet at the Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, we visit:

• Tamchog lhakhang built in the 15^th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo. He built 108 iron bridges across Tibet and Bhutan. His only surviving Iron bridge in Bhutan is in Dungsam, eastern Bhutan.

Afternoon, visit to:

• National memorial chorten (1974) built in the honor of late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Handicraft market where you can buy Bhutanese handicrafts and art works.
• Tashichho dzong, the summer residence of the Je Khenpo and the office of His Majesty.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, visit to:

• The tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world at Kuensel Phodrang,
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
• Changangkha lhakhang, one of the oldest temple of Thimphu valley built in 13th century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
• Takin preserve center.
• Sangay gang view point.

After lunch, visit to:

• Simply Bhutan museum restaurant.
• Bhutan Postal Museum.
• The School of 13 Arts and Crafts.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Punakha valley. On the way, visit Dochu La pass (3410 m) with its 108 stupas and the view of beautiful Himalayan ranges. The annual Druk Wangyel festival is held here on the 13th December.

Witness the Rhododendron festival in Bhutan 2024 at Lam Pelri botanical park.

In the evening, drive to Punakha.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After early breakfast, drive to the Lam Pelri Botanical park and witness the Rhododendron festival Bhutan 2024.

In the evening, drive back to Punakha.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning, visit to:

• Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 by “The Divine madman of Bhutan”, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. The temple is also called “the Temple of fertility”. This monument is the main highlight of honeymoon in Bhutan.
• Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The annual Punakha festival is held here in early spring.

Afternoon – Hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

In the evening, walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 m).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang. On the way, visit to:

• Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

After lunch, visit to:

• Ta dzong built in 1649 which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Hike to the beautiful Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang).

Afternoon, visit to:

• The ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kyichu lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king, Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples across the Himalayan region in a single days and Kyichu is one of them. The other prominent one is Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Rhododendron festival in Bhutan 2024 tour).

Please note: You also have the option to exit Bhutan from Phuentsholing via Chhukha.