Traditional Bhutanese Age-old Farm House/ Home stay provides you an opportunity learn and experience the true culture, the living style of Bhutanese people in a Bhutanese way. You’ll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and the unparalleled hospitality of a Bhutanese host. Farm-stays / home stays are located in the gorgeous Bhutanese countryside amidst lush farmland far from the noise and crowds of population centers.
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Arrive Paro . Fly into Paro. After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by the representative. Then you will be driven to haa Valley approx.. 65km, 2hrs 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). Local legend has it that deity helped construct the temple thus giving the name to Haa, meaning ‘surprise’. 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 unspoiled by the 21st Century.
In the evening explore the beautiful Haa Valley and visit a farmhouse (rural family home) and explore the farmhouse around the farmhouse.
You will have dinner and overnight stay at a farmhouse in Haa Valley.
Day 02: Haa Valley –Thimphu
Distance: 108 km, estimated travel time: 3 hours
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 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.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu-Punakha
Distance: 71 km, estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours
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 well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.
Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.
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.
Then visit the 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. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. After visit to the Dzong you can directly drive to the farm house where you will spend two nights. In the evening you can enjoy the traditional hotstone bath . Dinner & overnight at a rural home stay in Punakha
Day 4: Punakha
After breakfast , hike around the valley to observe the farming activities ,you can try out the archery game with traditional bow and arrow, wearing alocal dress and take an opportunity to take Photo session. Overnight at rural home stay.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro
Drive from Punakha to Paro and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center 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 one of the clusters of farm houses in Paro Valley 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.
Day 6: A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Today drive early to Paro and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. 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. The principal Lhakhang (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. Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 7: Departure