DISCOVER THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF BHUTAN – THE THUNDER KINGDOM

• A diverse introduction to Bhutan
  
• Sightseeing in Paro and Thimphu
  
• Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery
  
• Travel to the little-visited Haa Valley
  
• Visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong

Our new Thunder Dragon Discovery Tour begins with the exciting flight into Paro. Upon arrival we make the short drive to Thimphu, where we’ll have two days to discover the history and heritage of the country’s charming capital city. Walking in the countryside and back in time our tour includes visits to the beautiful Punakha and Haa Valleys. Here the rural lifestyle and architecture of Bhutan is explored before returning to Paro. Saving the best for last, we end our diverse tour with a true highlight – the spectacular Taktsang (the Tiger’s Nest), a small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 3,000 feet / 900 meters above the valley floor. This journey through the astonishing beauty of the people, landscape and culture of Bhutan will have your happiness levels off the scale.

Bhutan is situated in a hidden corner of the eastern Himalaya, sandwiched between China (Tibet) to the north, Sikkim to the west, and the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal to the south and Arunachal Pradesh to the east. The country within these borders forms a giant staircase, from a narrow strip of land in the south, at an altitude of 1,000 feet, up to some of the highest of Himalayan peaks in the north, rising to over 20,000 feet. A sparsely populated country, Bhutan is often compared to Switzerland because of its small size, jealously guarded isolation and stunning mountain scenery. In this country known as Druk Yul, ‘‘the Land of the Thunder Dragon,” the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony and accord, among incredible natural beauty. The air is clean and unpolluted, the mountains are magnificent and the architecture is inspiring.

Entry into Bhutan (Paro Airport) is by Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. While it is possible to arrange flights into Bhutan from several Asian airports, we have arranged our Bhutan itineraries using the daily flights that now exist between Paro, Bhutan and Bangkok, Thailand.

The Thunder Dragon Discovery Tour is part of our Himalayan Classic Trek Series. We are able to arrange this trip beginning on any date during the months of late March through May and mid-September to early November for a group of 1 to 10 people.

TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1. Welcome to the Bhutan! Fly from Bangkok to Paro.
Day 2. Travel to the Haa Valley.
Day 3. The Chelila Pass and highlights of the Haa Valley.
Day 4. Travel to Thimphu and sightseeing.
Day 5. Morning sightseeing in Thimphu. Afternoon to the Dochla Pass & Punakha.
Day 6. Day to explore the beautiful Punakha Valley.
Day 7. Travel to the Paro Valley.
Day 8. Sightseeing in the Paro Valley. Hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest).
Day 9. Transfer to Paro Airport and fly to Bangkok.