Day 01: Arrival Paro to Thimphu
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly
changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Think Bhutan Tours
representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities. After lunch
enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta
Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great
orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Towards evening drive to the
Thimphu, a capital city of Bhutan.
Overnight stay in Hotel
Day 02: Thimphu
Soon after breakfast, you enjoy a full day of sightseeing that includes visit to the National Library,
housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and National Institute of
Traditional Medicine where Bhutan’s famed traditional medicines are compounded and
dispensed; the Folk Heritage Museum which will provide an insight into traditional Bhutanese
farm house and rural past through exhibits and documentation of rural life.
After lunch, visit the Textile Museum to see a range of beautiful Bhutanese textiles; the National
Memorial Chorten (Stupa), a shrine built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan dedicated
for world peace and prosperity; Buddha point and Takin Reserve to see the rare national animal
of Bhutan. This animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its
association with the country’s religious history and mythology followed by visit to
Tashichhodzong, the “fortress of the glorious religion" which is Bhutan’s administrative and
religious Centre and houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and other
Government offices.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha/Wangdi
Early morning drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass 3080m with stunning views of Eastern
Himalayan Ranges including Bhutan's highest mountain, the majestic Gangkar Puensum
(provided that the day is clear). The 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens (stupas) on the top
of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags give scenic views.
The road to Punakha from Dochula Pass descends through varied and ever-changing forest,
emerging into the highly cultivated valley. visit the historical Punakha Dzong, strategically built
at the confluence of the two rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung to serve as the religious and
administrative centre. It also houses sacred temples including the Machen where the embalmed
body of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal lies in state and winter residence for the state monk
bodies.
Afternoon drive to Wangduephodrang the ancient sub capital of Bhutan, enroute take a short
hike to Chime Lhakhang (the fertility temple) built in 1499. It is half an hour leisurely walk across
a local village, rice fields from the road at Sopsokha to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields
to the tiny settlement of Pana.
Overnight at hote
Day 04: Punakha/Wangdi to Trongsa
Drive from Punakha/Wagdi to Trongsa across Pele La pass(3,420m) on the Black Mountain range.
Enroute visit beautiful Chendebji Chorten, built in the 18th century. The imposing Trongsa Dzong
can be viewed across a deep canyon to signal your approach to the town around a curving road.
Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty.
After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan. The view from the Dzong is
spectacular and one can see across the landscape for many miles. Afterward, take a short
walk/hike to the Ta Dzong museum housing an incredible collection of historical artefacts of the
Royal Family.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05: Trongsa to Bumthang
Morning drive to Bumthang, home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces and temples. The valley’s
barley fields, apple groves and meadows lay below huge hills which climb up towards the
Himalayan mountain wall separating Bhutan from Tibet.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06: Bumthang
Morning visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s
patron saint Guru Rinpoche meditated and 7th century Jambay Lhakhang. It dates back to the
origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples. After lunch, visit Jakar
Dzong and Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa and containing interesting and
ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Afterwards enjoy exploring the village of Jakar, Bumthang’s main
township.
Overnight at hotel
Day 07: Bumthang
Enjoy a day exploring some of the many sites around Bumthang. The 16th century Tang Ugyen
Chholing Palace stands features a museum containing an excellent overview of traditional rural
life in Bhutan. Continue on to visit the pool of Mebartso (The Lake of Fire). It is here that
Pemalingpa (founder of the Nyingmapa sect) is said to have found treasure hidden by Guru
Rinpoche.
Overnight at hotel
Day 08: Bumthang to Phobjekha Valley
Start early in the morning to Phobjekha about 6 hrs from Bumthang. Farmhouses and temples
dot the landscape and you will see local farmers wearing the traditional woven bamboo hats of
central Bhutan. The wide and picturesque Phobjikha valley is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys,
and chosen winter home of black necked cranes(November – March) migrating from the Tibetan
plateau. Visit Gangtey Goempa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan
and explore Phobjika Valley with time to view the Black-Necked Cranes.
Overnight at hotel
Day 09: Phobjekha to Paro
Morning visit to view the Black-Necked Cranes (winter only) before departing for Paro (approx 7
hrs). From Phobjekha the road gradually descends into the balmy Punakha valley before climbing
up over Dochu La Pass. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Paro
Morning, hike up to view point of Taktsang, popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest. According to
the legend, Guru Padmasambhava flew here on a flying Tigress and meditated there for three
months in the 8th century. It was from there, he propagated the Vajrayana Buddhism (Larger
Wheel) that was prophesied by the Buddha at the time of attaining Nirvana. In April 1998, a fire
destroyed the main structure of the buildings and its religious contents. A complete restoration
was done and resulted in a carbon copy of the original.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong or National Museum, rated among the best natural history museums
in Asia. The Ta-Dzong offers a unique and varied collection of thangkas, handicrafts, stuffed
animals, masks, costumes and amour. The visit will provide you with a good idea of the culture
and traditions of Bhutan. Just below the Museum lies the Rinpung Dzong, “the fortress on the
heap of jewel”. It now houses the administrative offices of Paro region
Overnight at hotel
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport to depart for your onward destination. Thank
you for visiting Bhutan through our company and wish you a very safe journey!