Itinerary

Day 1:Sept 15, 2013 : Paro – Thimphu (2-hour drive)

Sightseeing of Paro
– Paro Rinpong Dzong (fort)
– Paro National Museum
– Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest monastery)
– Drugyal Dzong (victory dzong)

In the late afternoon, drive to Thimphu. On the way to Thimphu you can visit the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 02:Sept 16, 2013. Thimphu sightseeing (Thimphu Festival)
After breakfast you will witness the festival. Afternoon sightseeing of Thimphu.
– King’s Memorial Chorten
– Changgangkha Monastery
– Nunnery temple
– School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school)
– Bhutan post (send post cards to your families)
– Thimphu Dzong

Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3: Sept 17, 2013 Thimphu – Wangduephodrang (3-hour drive)
Morning once again we will visit the festival ground.
After lunch you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

In Punakha you will visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. After the dzong you can explore (Khuruthang) Punakha town. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

Day 4: Sept 18 Wangduephodrang – 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. You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 5: Sept 19 Trongsa – 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.

In the afternoon 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 6:Sept 20 Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
— Jakar Dzong (fortress)
— Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
— Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche’s body print)
— Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
— Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
You can spend the afternoon exploring Bumthang town and browsing shops and handicraft stores. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7:Sept 21.  Bumthang – Wangduephodrang (7/8-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. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in Wangduephodrang..

Day 8: Sept 22.  Wangduephodrang – Paro (5-hour drive)
Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile museum. Later in the evening drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro..

Day 9: Sept 23.  Paro
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.
Rest of the day at your leisure. You can walk around the Paro town. Overnight in Paro.

Day 10: Sept 24. Depart Paro

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