Day 1: Arrive Paro:
As the plane banks over the mountain slopes, the Paro Valley greet you with luminous paddies rippling in the breeze and tiny houses sprinkled on the bank of the meandering river. The air is crystal clear, light translucent and on horizon, snowcapped mountains frame the idyllic like painting. It does not matter how many time you land in Paro, the bucolic valley unfolds like a dream. If you are lucky, you will have a glorious view of the Snowcapped Himalayas. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will meet our representative, who will drive through Paro valley to your hotel where you will settle in and have some lunch. In the afternoon you will drive to the Paro Dzong to witness the world famous Tshechu (festival). Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel
Day 2 Tiger Nest Excursion
Today will be a very special day, with an excursion to visit the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger Nest) monastery. After breakfast we take a short drive to the north of Paro Valley to Ramthankha, from where we start our hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of tress festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Visitors are permitted to hike up to the viewpoint from where you can see the monastery hanging on a cliff. We will obtain a special permit to allow you to visit the monastery. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche, founder of Buddhism flew from Eastern Bhutan on a tigress, bringing Buddhist teachings and meditated here in this cliff. This is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world. We can arrange a horse ridding till the cafeteria for anyone how prefer to have take horse ride. After visiting the monastery, we will walk down to Taktsang cafeteria for lunch.
Afternoon:
We will walk downhill to the road and drive on to visit the Drukgyel Dzong (now in ruins which reveals the reminiscence of ancients architecture), Finally on time availability, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century and followed by walk in town. Drive back to your hotel:
Fare well Dinner and Overnight: Hotel
Day 3: Paro - Punakha
This morning we will take a 2-hour leisurely drive towards the Capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute you will view Tachogang monastery, (the monastery of the Excellent Horse) built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron chain builder in Bhutan), before reaching to Chunzom. At the confluences of Paro/ Thimphu River, here you will see three forms of Chortens in different styles i.e. Nepalese, Tibetan and Bhutanese. The drive then follows the Thimphu River upwards passing through several villages. From Simtokha, we take the road that connects Punakha and Wangdue districts. The route passes through a horticulture center in Yusipang before reaching the 3050 m (10,00ft) Dochula pass adorned with many colorful prayer flags and Chortens. On a clear you will be able to have a spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas. Lunch will be at the cafeteria on the pass. After lunch, we shall descend through the forest of rhododendrons and magnolia stopping on the way at various villages - Lumitsawa; Thinleygang finally reaching the fertile valley of Lobesa. After another 20 minutes drive you will arrive at the hotel where you will be free to relax and enjoy the view of the valley.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 4: Punakha – via Wangdue - Trongsa
After breakfast we visit the Punakha Dzong which is one of the most architecturally impressive Dzongs in the country. It is ideally located between two rivers Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female). It is the winter residence for the Jey Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the central Monk body. We drive to Wangdue district, on the left side of the Wangdue; you can see a typical Bhutanese farm village in Rinchengang.. After passing through Wangdue town with a view of its Dzong perched on a cliff we drive through the tropical vegetation to Nobding and over the Phelela pass 3350m (11,000ft). Throughout your trip you will see the ever changing beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road. A picnic lunch will be served enroute. As we descend through the open meadows and valley via the Chendebji Chorten we will see the occasional yak herd and several other villages. From here another 2 hours drive will take you to Trongsa, offering impressive view of Trongsa Dzong enroute.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 5: Trongsa – Bumthang
In the morning you will visit the massive Trongsa Dzong which has played such a vital role in shaping the political history of the country. Then we depart for Bumthang valley a 3 hour drive over the Yotung la pass 3425m (11,300ft). We descend to the Chumey valley (a section of Bumthang district). Enroute we will visit the Yathra (woolen cloth) weaving center at Zugney. From here another 30 minutes drive will take you to the Jakar Valley where you will check into your Hotel. Lunch will be served at the hotel. Afternoon will be free to explore the Jakar valley.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 6: Bumthang Halt
Today’s sightseeing in Bumthang includes visits to:
Jambay Lhakhang: built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th Century. Kurjey Lhakhang: legend has it that the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche was left behind while meditating in a cave in this temple. We will then make a short walk to Tamshing Monastery built by Terton Pema Lingpa. Lunch will be served at your hotel.
Afternoon you will visit Jakar Dzong, castle of the white bird, which houses the administrative center and monastic centre of the valley and the Karchu Dratshang private monastic institute under His Eminence Namkaha Nignpo. Finally we will go to the Membartsho (flaming lake) where Saint Pema Lingpa discovered the religious treasure hidden by Guru Rimpoche. Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 7: Bumthang – Phojikha
After breakfast we depart via Trongsa to Phojikha. Enroute a picnic lunch will be served at Chendebji Chorten. We will retrace our steps over the Phelela pass and after a 10 minute drive we turn left and head to the Phojikha valley and after about an hour we will arrive at our local guesthouse for an experience of local living. Phojikha is an open wide valley, where Gantey Gompa is ideally located on a hill over looking the valley. It is also the winter habitat for the Black necked cranes migrating from Tibet. These birds are veneterated by a festival in November and such is their significance no electric cables can be built for fear of injuring them. Evening at leisure.
Over night: Guesthouse.
Day 8: Phobjikha – Thimphu
In the morning we drive back to Gantey Gompa to see the renovation of the monastery and people at work. We continue our journey to Wangdue for lunch at one of the local restaurants. Afternoon we drive to Thimphu where you will be taken to one of the best hotels centrally located allowing you to visit the various shops of our capital. After checking into the hotel, you will have free time to go and explore Thimphu. Overnight: Hotel
Day 9: Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast, you will be taken to the following places of cultural interest in Thimpu.
Trashicho Dzong: The administrative centre of Bhutan
The Folk and Heritage Museum: This museum lets you experience the Bhutanese way of living.
The Arts and Craft Institute: This is a vocational training institute where the art of painting, woodcraft and sculpturing are taught to students with the objective of preserving the rich and pristine heritage.
In the afternoon you will be free to explore and hunt for souvenirs. Late afternoon depart for Paro.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: Paro – Airport
Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight having experienced the best of Bhutan.
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