Bhutanese Home Stay/ Farmhouse-stay Tour

Day 1: Arrive Paro

Fly into Paro. After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by our representative. Then you will be driven to your hotel in Paro.

After checking into your hotel and refreshment you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration centre and school for monks. From the Dzong you will  walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditonal Cantilever Bridge), oldest bridge in Bhutan.

Then you will visit farm house and a visit to a farm house offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer. You may visit the vegetable gardens and paddy fields around the farmhouse. You can observe farmers performing farming activities. You can also try archery (the National Sport of Bhutan) with traditional bow and arrow.

Dinner & overnight at a farmhouse in Paro.

Day 2: Paro – Haa

After breakfast you will travel through farmlands and scattered hamlets and gradually climbing to the Chele La Pass, 3822 m high, with spectacular glimpses of the Bhutan Himalayan mountain peaks all the way.  Descending down into the Haa Valley you will be rewarded by stunning scenery as you wind along the side of the mountain into the town of Haa. You stop for picnic lunch at Haa before making your way to Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Haa is overlooked by three mountains called ‘Rig Sum Gonpa’ which signify three Buddha deities; Jambayang, Chana Dorji and Chenrizig. Haa was not opened up to tourists until 2002 so remains relatively unspoilt by the 21^st Century.

In the evening explore the beautiful Haa Valley and visit a farmhouse (rural family home). You will have dinner and overnight stay at a farmhouse in Haa Valley.

Day 3: Haa –Thimphu

After breakfast travel to Thimphu through stretch of villages of Jabana, Susuna and Dogakha stopping along the way to visit one of the farmhouses to taste locally brewed liquor called Ara and also taste traditional tea and snacks. Continuing your travel to Thimphu  you will reach at the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers and finally to Thimphu valley.

On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after lunch visit the following:

• Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history.
• Simply Bhutan– A living museum of rural life which provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
• Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. . Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

Then travel onto Punakha. On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery – Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. After that visit Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region.

In the evening visit Rinchengang & Lobesa villages where you will take a short walk through the village and have free interaction with the villagers. Dinner & overnight at a farmhouse in Lobesa Village.

Day 5: Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast travel to Thimphu. On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and visit the following:

• Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.
• Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal – the Takin, that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
• Kuensel Phodrang and take a short leisure hike to the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
• National Memorial Chorten: Meet the elderly local in circumambulation at the Chorten.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 6:  Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast, drive to Paro which takes about 1 hr and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive back to hotel.

On the way visit Kyichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. In the evening you can relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath. Dinner & overnight at a hotel/ farmhouse in Paro.

Day 7: Paro Departure

In the morning after breakfast your tour guide will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.