Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro international airport from Delhi
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. 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 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, and Drugyel Dzong. In the evening you can stroll through Paro town. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2: Paro – Thimphu, with hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. 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 Bhutan, and absorb the lifestyle of the people. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing
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 Takin reserve, which contains the national animal of Bhutan. From there you will visit the nunnery temple. After a relaxing lunch, you will tour the School of
Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), Tashi Chho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), and the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will visit the weekend market, where you can stroll through the aisles to see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, and fresh cheese. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It’s fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market. In the afternoon you will drive to Punakha. The drive takes you across the Dochula Pass (10,230 ft) which is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten (Buddhist monument) and prayer flags. You will stop on the pass for tea, and if the weather is clear, you will take in beautiful views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. The road to Punakha winds down from the pass, meandering through magnificent pine and rhododendron forests, giving you a glimpse of some of the most picturesque countryside in Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha to Trongsa (5-hour drive)
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 Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you’ll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and it’s possible to see yaks along the way. In the evening you can explore the small town of Trongsa. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 6: Trongsa to Bumthang (3-hour drive)
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. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7: Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast, you will tour the beautiful region and visit sights including Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; the Udee woodcarving factory in Jakar; Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating; and Tamshing Lakhang. You will also take a short hike to Thangbi monastery. You can spend the evening strolling through Jakar town. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang to Wangduephodrang (6-hour drive)
You’ll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. You can biking for some distance and take a car ride when you feel you need it. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

Day 9: Wangdue to Thimphu, with afternoon hike to Tango Monastery
In the morning you will drive to Thimphu. After lunch you will drive 12km north of Thimphu to hike to Tango (Horse’s Head) monastery. It will take about 45 minutes to hike to the monastery. Tango Monastery is a Buddhist college, and it’s the residence of the Desi Tenzin Rabgye, a young boy who is the reincarnation of the 16th-century monk who built Tango. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 10: Thimphu to Haa to Paro (6-hour drive)
You will set out for Haa, one of Bhutan’s most unspoiled areas. It was just recently opened to visitors and is unmarked by tourism. Haa is a pristine valley where the farmers grow wheat, barley, millet, and potatoes. On the way to Haa, you will pass through old-fashioned villages and thick conifer forests.
You will visit Lhakhang Karo and gain some insight into the valley’s history. You will also visit the Wangchulo Dzong. A few minutes’ drive from the dzong is the main town of Haa. You can take a walk to Katso Village from the main town and explore the area. After lunch you will drive to Paro over the Cheli La pass at 3,900m. Overnight in Paro.

Day 11: Paro Depart

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