Day 01: kathmandu - Paro:
Transfer to airport and fly to Paro. Your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan will greet you on arrival, and then drive you for the short distance to the hotel
Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Although the site of the nation's first airport Paro still retains tradition by way of architecture and farming. Afternoon drive to National Museum , Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum . The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Below the Museum is the Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 17 th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks.
The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 Paro sightseeing:
After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions and on your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in Bhutan (7 th century). Lunch served at a restaurant in Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum . This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17 th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 Paro – Taktsang – Thimphu :
Morning drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to Takstang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, the most photographed in Bhutan . The monastery can only be viewed from afar as it is not open to the public. The view is however worth the steep 1 & half-hour walk up a wide mountain path. Here it is being said that Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8 th century. Lunch served at the viewpoint cafeteria and then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan and then continue your drive to Thimphu , the modern capital of Bhutan . The drive will take around 1½ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 Thimphu valley sightseeing:
After breakfast drive to Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research center where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery and then drive to the Tango Monastery for a picnic lunch. The hike to the monastery takes about 45 minutes. It is a 13th Century structure and today is home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist Philosophy and meditation. Sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanse farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School . In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with the local population). All the buildings in Bhutan conform to national building principals and are beautifully carved and decorated. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 Thimphu – Punakha:
After breakfast drive over the Docchu-La pass (3050 m) into the beautiful valley of Punakha . The teahouse at the pass offers beautiful views of the Himalayan range in the distance. This is a 3 hour drive with stops en route. Afternoon visit the magnificent Dzong spanning the MoChu and Po Chu rivers. This is the winter residence of the monastic body and the Je Khenpo (chief Abbott). If time permits a hike to Khamsum Yule Chorten is worthwhile. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang:
Early in the morning fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan . The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is approximately 7 hours crossing over Pele La pass (3,300 m) and Yotongla pass (3,400 m). "The Central Road ", across the Black Mountains , was completed 30 years ago, and it brought about great changes to the people in central Bhutan .
We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3,300 m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan . After lunch we go out to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. We then drive to Bumthang valley (described as “ one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas ” across the Yotongla pass (3,400 m). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 Bumthang sightseeing:
Bumthang is said to be one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here many great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.
In the morning we hike to visit Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang(one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7 th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration).
In the afternoon hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14 th century. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 Bumthang – Gangtey – Wangdue:
7 hrs. drive to Wangdue via Gangtey. Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains . There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha . The gentle sloping hillsides of Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas ". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 Wangdue – Thimphu :
After breakfast a short drive will take you into the valley of Lobesa and from the road point walk for 20 minutes through the rice terraced fields to the temple of Chhimi Lhakhang, temple of the divine madman” Drukpa Kuenley” which is mostly visited by women who are unable to bear children. After the visit then drive back to Thimphu. Evening Transfer to Paro.
Day 10 Depart Paro :
After breakfast, drive to Paro airport and farewell. Arrive in Katmandu and transfer to Hotel
