2024
Tour leader: Yves
• Arrive in Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh.
• We will be picked up by our driver and transferred to the hotel.
• The tour of Dhaka starts at 09:00.
• Our guide will meet us at the hotel lobby, and then we’ll head to Old Dhaka. This historic centre was founded in 1608 and is famous for its religious diversity and delicious foods.
• Many tourist attractions await you, including Dhakeshwari Temple, Lalbagh Fort, Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque, Ahsan Manjil, and Sadarghat River Station.
• Stop for lunch at a local restaurant around midday.
• Enjoy a boat ride on Dhaka's busy river Buriganga before sunset.
• Early morning departure for the 6 hour journey to Barisal.
• The flowing rivers and small canals of the region are fascinating sights. Boats filled with goods and people go back and forth, while the greenery surrounding the waterways provides a gorgeous tropical backdrop.
• Visit some markets to purchase local products.
• Overnight in Barisal.
• One day isn’t enough. Today is another full day exploring the canals and rivers of this city.
• Expect to see a huge timber market and partake in a cultural exchange at a Bangladeshi school.
• In the late afternoon we return to Dhaka, a 6 hour journey by road.
• Overnight in Dhaka.
• Transfer to the airport, and off we go to the Land of the Thunder Dragon!
• Fly into Paro, Bhutan and drive to Thimphu, the capital of this tiny Buddhist nation.
• Check out the giant Buddha statue and Takin Zoo, where we can see the national animal: the Bhutan takin. Plus many other sights in this quaint little city.
• Overnight in Thimphu.
• Bright and early, we drive through the Dochula pass and stop at Punhaka before heading to Gangtey village, located in the Phobjeykha valley.
• Hike around the valley and hopefully spot some black-necked cranes that start nesting here in early November.
• Later in the day, drive to Wangdue or Punakha, where we will stay overnight.
• In the morning, visit the Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo rivers (called the Male and Female Rivers), this majestic structure served as the kingdom’s capital for three centuries until 1955.
• Afterwards, drive to Khamsumyuelay Chorten for a 2-hour hike down to Lobesa.
• In Lobesa, visit the temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, aka 'The Divine Madman'. He is known to preach Buddhism and subdue evil spirits through 'erotic techniques' and 'obscene remarks.’ If you’re so inclined, you can even be blessed by a wooden penis to increase fertility!
• Return to our hotel in Punakha, and stay overnight.
• Time to visit the crown jewel of Bhutan: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
• Start by travelling to Paro. Then we will hike up the stunning trail to witness the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This monastery was built on a cliffside and is surrounded by Himalayan nature. There is no place like it.
• Return to Paro and visit the 7th Century Temple and the Kichu Monastery.
• Free time rest of the day to shop or relax around Paro.
• Overnight here.
• Final day of this two-city tour.
• You can choose to book flights onwards with Druk Air to Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, or India.
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