The Himalayan Explore by Como

Bhutan's center of government, religion, and commerce is the capital city of Thimphu, which is strewn across the Wang Chhu river's forested western mountainside. Traveling from COMO Uma Paro to COMO Uma Punakha, you can make a stop in the biggest city in the country. An immersive tour will show you some of the main attractions, such as the Folk Hentage Museum, the Buddha Dordenma statue, the National Memonal Chorten, and a view of Trashi Chhoe Dzong (exacт tour itinerary varies). Following departure from Thimphu, the journey to Punakha is breathtaking, entwining like a snake up the 3.000-meter-high Dochu La mountain pass, offering breathtaking vistas of 108 chortens (Buddhist temples), forests of cluttered prayer flags, and, on a clear day, expansive vistas of the Himalayan Mountains. The drive takes three to four hours (126 kilometers). Overnight: COMO Uma Punakha

We will spend the entire day exploring the verdant Punakha Valley, which is low enough at 1,200 meters to support the growth of oranges and bananas. The moming begins with a brief stroll through rice terraces and farmhouses to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple built in the fifteenth century and devoted to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist sant also referred to as the Divine Madman. Couples wishing to begin a family have long found our website to be helpful. As you continue down the valley, you can see the 300-year-old Punakha Dzong. The stronghold, which was constructed in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the man who established the Kingdom of Bhutan, formerly served as the seat of administration. Now, je Khenpo calls it home for the winter,the head abbot of Bhutan, accompanied by a thousand monks in a retinue. Following lunch, the trip leads you on a stroll across farms and homesteads to Khamsum Yulley Narngyal Chorten, a shrine that the royal family just erected. Time: six to seven hours Moderately easy to difficult Overnight: COMO Uma Punakha

Return the way you came to see the Himalayan mountain range by crossing the Dochu La Pass. Returning to the Chuzom, or the meeting point of the rivers between Wang Chhu and Paro Chhul, one can catch a view of three neighboring shrines that were constructed in various architectural styles—Nepali, Tibetan, and Bhutanese—to fend off evil spirits. If time permits, a visit to Tanchog Lhaktung, a temple constructed by Thangtorig Gyalpo, the trailblazing engineer who brought suspension bridge construction to Tibet and Bhutan (many of which are still in use today), will be made. The last stretch of the road to COMO Uma Paro passes past rice farms and apple orchards.You can spend the entire day here participating in one of our activities, like archery, the national sport of Bhutan. The drive takes three to four hours (126 kilometers). Easily accomplished over night. COMO A Paro

Today's activities center on the historic Parc Valley and include a visit to the Taktsang Tiger's Nest' Monastery, one of the most significant architectural achievements of Bhutar. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) brought Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet by banding together on the back of a flying tigress on this cliffside. To avoid the scorching sun on the two-hour trek to the Tiger's Nest viewpoint, the journey departs early. We ascend steeply past a waterfall and finish at the monastery's main entrance, surrounded by exquisite artwork. If you have time, you could go even higher to see more isolated temples.You return to COMO Uma Paro after lunch, which can be either a packed picnic or food from the quaint Taktsang café. Here, you can unwind on your last night by using the steam room, gym, and swimming pool, or by indulging in a COMO Shambhala treatment. Time: six to eight hours Level of difficulty: Hard to moderate Overnight : COMO Uma Paro

Your 10-minute transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule