Itinerary

Day 1 (All festivals)

    Your trip begins today with an early morning flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Paro, Bhutan. REI Adventures will be making the roundtrip flight reservations (Bangkok- Paro) for you at the time of your registration. The flight from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air is a beautiful and befitting introduction to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. On arrival in Paro you are met by your Bhutanese leader who is typical of the hospitable and charming Bhutanese people. You transfer immediately to Thimphu (2 hour drive), the capital of Bhutan and home of the revered Bhutanese Royal Family. Overnight in Thimphu. Dinner included.
    
Day 2

    (Paro, Tamshing, Jambay, Ngang)
    After breakfast we visit the Thimphu weekend market – a lively scene of vendors throughout the region selling their fresh produce and indigenous crafts such as religious objects, baskets and fabrics. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite game - archery. Return to hotel for lunch and rest of day free to explore on your own. Overnight in Thimphu. All meals included.

    (Ura)
    After breakfast we begin a day of exploring Thimphu with a visit to the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Next we stop at the Painting School where the traditional art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) is mastered. We also visit the National Library and the Textile Museum. A very full day before returning to our hotel for the evening! Overnight in Thimphu. All meals included.
   
Day 3 (All festivals)

    After an early breakfast we start our drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. The road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar and, if the weather is with us, the panoramic view of the Himalayas from the pass (10,460') is absolutely spectacular. Then it's all downhill on a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (4,162 feet). We take time to hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple. Both ancient and infamous, this monastery was built in 1499 by one of Bhutan's favorite Buddhist saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, often called the "Divine Madman" for his outrageous teachings. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong (fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu (father and mother river). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong was the capital seat of the Kingdom. Overnight in Punakha. All meals included.

    Hiking: 1 hour
    
Day 4 (All festivals)

    Our drive today to Trongsa is a long and beautiful one (6-7 hours) with some great hiking along the way. Leaving Punakha we wind our way through the fertile, central valleys to Wangdue Phodrang where we take the opportunity to visit the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong. We then climb steadily to Pele la Pass (10,824') which is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. Enjoy good views of the big mountains, especially Mount Chomolhari (24,355'). Close to the pass we begin our hike downhill through a forest of dwarf bamboo to Rukubji Village (2 hours) where we have a late lunch. We continue our drive into Trongsa Valley glimpsing our first views of the impressive Trongsa Dzong. Overnight at a lovely resort that offers fantastic views of the Dzong and surrounding countryside. All meals included.
    
Day 5 (All festivals)

    After breakfast we visit the huge Trongsa Dzong. Built in 1647, this Dzong is a masterpiece of architecture, and its strategic location gave it great power over this part of the country. We meander from the Dzong to the local bazaar before resuming our drive east to Bumthang. We cross over the Yotongla Pass (11,154') and into the first of four valleys of Bumthang known as Chumey. Here we visit the Domkar Palace, summer palace to King Jigme Wangchuk. Next, we're onto the village of Tsungney to observe weavers creating the famous Bumthnag fabric known as "yathra" before arriving in the Chokhor Valley for the evening. All meals included.
    
Day 6

    (Paro)
    Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on animal husbandry. Today we drive to Ura village situated at 10,000 feet above sea level. From Serthangla Pass we hike downhill to reach the Ura Temple and continue our walk through the clustered village of Ura making frequent stops to converse with the villagers. Our lunch will be served at a village house. Return to Chamkhar (Jakar) for overnight. All meals included.

    (Ura, Jambay, Ngang) Festival day!
    After breakfast we drive to Ura village (Jambay Lhakhang village for Jambay Festival; Zhabjeythang village for Ngang Festival) to witness the ongoing festival. During the festival various spiritual mask dances are performed and local villagers participate by wearing their finest dress – this is the annual event at which to be seen. Evening return to hotel at Chamkhar (Jakar). All meals included.
    
Day 7 (All Festivals)

    We begin our hike this morning around the valley through scattered and clustered villages of Jakar to the Jambay Lhakhang temple. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, built this temple in the 7th century. We continue hiking to Chakar Lhakhang, which was built in the 8th century. This house was a castle of the King Sindhu Raja who used to rule the Bumthang Valley. Continuing on we go to Kurjey monastery. It is here that the great tantric saint Padmasambhava had meditated and subdued a local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Hiking north, we cross the Chamkhar River over a suspension bridge to arrive at Tamshing Lhakhang. Finally, we reach Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in 7th century. All meals included.
    
Day 8 (All festivals)

    This morning we begin our drive to Trongsa (2 ½ hours). After lunch we will continue south to Kungarabten. This small village had once played a very important role in the history of Bhutan. This place was the winter retreat of the Royal families. We will visit the small winter palace, and then start walking towards the Monastery of Nuns that is located above. This monastery is the home to over 100 nuns, who study and meditate here. We will visit the shrine, hostel, and maybe join for a short prayer with the nuns before returning to the hotel. All meals included.
    
Day 9 (All festivals)

    We begin our drive back towards the west with a detour at Pele Pass into glacial valley of Phobjikha. This is, hands-down, one of the most beautiful spots in all of Bhutan. It is also the designated winter home for the endangered black-necked cranes that migrate here from the Tibetan plateaus. We enjoy a truly wonderful hike (primarily downhill with views of the valley) from the Phobjikha Pass to Gangtey Monastery. If lucky, we may even encounter the precious Red Panda. Overnight in Phobjikha Valley. All meals included.
    
Day 10 (All festivals)

    This morning we continue west to Thimphu making several stops en-route for photos and leg stretches. Dining at the Dochu La cafeteria, we have terrific views of the northern snowcapped mountains (weather permitting). Our afternoon in Thimphu is free for shopping and exploration. All meals included.
    
Day 11

    (Ura, Jambay, Ngang)
    After breakfast, we begin our hike up hill to Phajoding Monastery which takes about 2-3 hours. Phajoding Temple is situated at around 12,000 feet and is a large monastic complex with 10 shrine rooms and 15 monastic residences, many of them used for extended meditation retreat. This Monastery was founded in 13th century by Togden Phajo Drugom Shigpo, a saint from Tibet. The view of the whole valley and the capital city is fantastic. Overnight in Thimphu. All meals included.

    (Paro)
    After breakfast we begin a day of exploring Thimphu with a visit to the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Next we stop at the Painting School where the traditional art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) is mastered. We also visit the National Library and the Textile Museum. This evening we drive to Paro to be ready for the festival tomorrow (2 hours). All meals included.
    
Day 12

    (Paro) Festival Day!
    After breakfast we visit one of Bhutan's most popular festivals at Paro Rinpung Dzong. During the festival various spiritual mask dances are performed and local villagers participate by wearing their finest dress – this is the annual event not to be missed. All meals included.

    (Ura, Jambay, Ngang)
    We depart for Paro this morning for a day of sightseeing including a visit to Drugyel Dzong from which, on a clear day, there is a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari (23,995'). Hiking around the fortress is a leisurely and beautiful walk. Drugyel Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. It is believed that through the meticulous power of Shabdrung the Bhutanese were able to defeat the Tibetans seven times. The name Drugyel Dzong means "victorious fortress." We visit the National Museum of Bhutan as well as Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known fortresses. Overnight in Paro. All meals included.
    
Day 13 (All festivals)

    After breakfast we take a short drive from Paro to the trailhead at the base of Bhutan's most famous monastery, Taktsang (also called the Tiger's Nest). Built in the 1600's, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 2,700' into the valley below. It is said that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang monastery now stands. Our two to three hour steep hike through the forest brings us up to the famed viewpoint overlooking the monastery. Return to Paro for a farewell dinner and overnight. All meals included.
    
Day 14 (All festivals)

    We say our good-byes to Bhutan today and board a flight for Bangkok. Any hotel stay in Bangkok is not included; please make advance reservations if needed. Breakfast included.

More information from REI Adventures:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.rei.com/adventures/trips/asia/bcu.html…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips