Trip Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Paro drive to Thimpu: (L,D): On arrival at the airport received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Thimphu - (B,L,D): Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes, visit to ;National Library; it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings.Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.Memorial Chorten; the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu to Phobjhika (Gangtey) (135 Km, 4-5 Hours) - (B,L,D): Morning drive to Gantey via Simtokha Dzong, Dochula pass and Richengang village. In Gantey visit the Gantey Gompa monastery. (Overnight at Village Lodge or Tent) 3,000m.
Day 04: Start trek to Gogona - (B,L,D): Morning explore around and watch the rare back-necked crane (seasonal) and after breakfast begin trekking to Gogona Village. The trail passes through forests of juniper, dwarf bamboo, magnolia and rhododendrons. Evening free to explore around. Distance covered: 15 kms/ in 6hrs. Camp alt. 3400 m. (Overnight at Village Lodge or Tent).
Day 05: Trek to Khotokha - (B,L,D): Today we climb a pass and descend downhill through the changing vegetation to the wide and temperate valley of Khotokha, the summer home for nomads of Wangdi region. Distance: 16 kms in 6/7 hrs. Alt. 2,800 m. (Overnight at Tent)
Day 06: Trek to Wangdi/Punakha - (B,L,D): Short trek from your campsite brings you to the village of Tashila, from here a rope way operates to the road head near Wangdi.You can choose to take the lift or walk downhill for 3 hours. Much of the vegetation on today's trek is a sub-tropical and moist. Transfer to the hotel and in the afternoon visit Punakha & Wangdi-phodrang.
Day 07: Punakha / Visit Chimi Lakhang temple / Wangduephodrang / Paro (150 Km, 5 Hours) (B,L,D): 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. Also we visit Chimi Lakhang temple.
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 08: Sight Seeing in Paro - (B,L,D): 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.
Day 09: - (B): Breakfast at Hotel. Today you will be transferred to the airport to fly back home, taking with you the memory of a life time.