Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro drive to Thimpu: The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world. Upon your arrival, a Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimpu: After breakfast Thimphu sightseeing. Visit to Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Then visit National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.
After that drive to Painting School , famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate design on cloth. Also visit to Traditional Medicine Institute is worthwhile where centuries old healing arts still practiced. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum , a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
After lunch visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan 's Third King who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan . The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu / Trongsa (200 Km, 6 Hours): After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,050m). If the weather permits, you can see a range of high Himalayan peaks towards the north east. Following peaks can be seen from this pass, on a clear day ; Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Further drive onwards arriving Wangduephodrang town for lunch. The descent from Dochula into Wangduephodrang valley is quite long as the altitude difference is 1700 meters.
Proceed to Tongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m ), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Arrive Trongsa and check into the lodge.
Day 04: Trongsa / Bumthang (68 Km, 3 Hours): After breakfast walk by Trongsa Dzong built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of ling. Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 km from Trongsa road reaches the Yutong La pass (3,400m). Further 13 km ahead, the road enters into a wide open cultivated valley known as Chumey valley.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge. After lunch, visit to Kurje Lhakhang where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic school), the Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the region) and Swiss Farm House. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 05: Bumthang / Punakha (205 Km, 6 Hours): After breakfast explore fascinating valley of Bumthang. Then proceed to Trongsa where lunch would be served in local restaurant, famous for its traditional cuisine. Before arriving Punakha visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town enroute. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 06: Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro ( 150 Km, 5 Hours): After breakfast visit to Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan followed by visit to local market. Also visit here, Khamsum Yu;;y Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.
Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
After lunch drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. Later enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 07: Sight Seeing in Paro: Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum . The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and country’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.Evening visit a traditional farm house to get an idea on lifestyle of local people. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 08: Breakfast at Hotel. Today you will be transferred to the airport to fly back home, taking with you the memory of a life time.
Note: If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.