Day 1 Paro
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in . Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you can visit the Paro Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do all the dzongs (forts) currently. You'll cross a traditional wooden bridge on the way to the dzong. You can then tour the National Museum, formerly the watchtower for the dzong. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thankas, statues, and antiques. Afterward you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town.
Day 2 Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is 's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of , and absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops.
Day 3 Thimphu
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. From there you will visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional paper factory, and the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom).
Day 4 Thimphu - Wangduephodrang
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of , and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. You will then visit Khamsum Yulephelma Chorten in Punakha. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-30 minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple.
Day 5 Wangdue - Trongsa
You will begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western . From there you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3300-meter-high
Pele La.
You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon.
Day 6 Trongsa - Bumthang
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.
Day 7 Bumthang
Attend the festival.
Day 8 Bumthang
Another day at the festival.
Day 9 Bumthang
Morning hike to Tharpaling Monastery. It will a good half day hike. Afternoon sightseeing of Bumthang.
Day 10 Bumthang to Wangdi
In the morning you will drive to Wangdi. In Wangdi go around the Wangdi town.
Day 11 Wangdi
Morning visit Punakha dzong. Afternoon visit Khamsum yulephelma chorten, Chhimmy lhakhang, a temple built by a divine madman. Childless couples come here for blessing. One is blessed with a wooden phallus.
Day 12 Wangdi - ThimphuWangdi - Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu. Do rest of the sightseeing in Thimphu. Attend a cultural program in the evening.
Day 13 Thimphu - Paro
Morning drive to Paro. Afternoon day hike to Taktsang. Taktsang is built on sheer cliff of over 100 mts drop. It is a good half day hike to the monastery.
Day 14 Paro
Transfer to airport for your departure flight.
You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Attend the festival. Another day at the festival. Morning hike to Tharpaling Monastery. It will a good half day hike. Afternoon sightseeing of Bumthang.In the morning you will drive to Wangdi. In Wangdi go around the Wangdi town. Morning visit Punakha dzong. Afternoon visit Khamsum yulephelma chorten, Chhimmy lhakhang, a temple built by a divine madman. Childless couples come here for blessing. One is blessed with a wooden phallus. Morning drive to Thimphu. Do rest of the sightseeing in Thimphu. Attend a cultural program in the evening. Morning drive to Paro. Afternoon day hike to Taktsang. Taktsang is built on sheer cliff of over 100 mts drop. It is a good half day hike to the monastery.Transfer to airport for your departure flight.