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: Thimpu-Punakha (An easy Day): After Breakfast at Hotel in Thimpu we have a nice drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,050m ). Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha - Wangduephodrang – Gangtey (70 km, 3 hours): After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit magnificent Wangdue Dzong and town’s local market.
Further ahead pass through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching at Gangtey (Phobjikha).
Evening take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region. Overnight at Camp / Guest House.
Day 05: Gangtey - Trongsa (120 km, 4.1/2 hours): Morning explore Phobjikha valley which is famous for Black Necked Cranes. These cranes migrate here from Central Asiatic plateau to escape the harsh winters.
After lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass. Evening visit to Trongsa market. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Day 06: Trongsa - Bumthang (68 km, 3 hours): Morning visit to Trongsa Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture and see Ta Dzong, the watch tower, built to defend this Dzong and surrounding region.
After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang: Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley.
Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country. Evening visit to local market. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 08: Bumthang Mongar (198 km, 7 hours): The journey continues eastwards winding -through more rugged terrain. The drive with spectacular views will take about 7 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (4,000 m). Gradually drop down to Sengor, watching cascading water falls on the way.
The descent stops at 700m, on a bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit Mongar Dzong, built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
Day 09: Mongar - Trashigang (96 km, 3 hours): This trip of about 96 km takes 3 hours passing through Kori la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chhorten and a stone wall. The first part of the journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Later road descends rapidly through corn fields and banana groves arriving the famous ziazags of Yadi, which is a recent settlement. After that follows the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Dametsi, this temple perched on top of steep hill was founded by Choeden Zangmp and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place from where famous Naga Chham, mask dance with drums originated. About 30 km onwards lies Trashigang at 1000m. Trashigang is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country. Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri river. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the Dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 10: Trahigang (Excursion to Trashiyangtse): 24 km from Trashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is a famous place where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating of the 15th century.
Visit to Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at the altitude of 1,850m. In former times Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the carven routes leading from western and centre Bhutan. The Dzong is new and near by are the Art School and the famous Chhorten Kora. Evening return to Trashigang. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 11: Trashigang - Bumthang (289 km, 10 hours): After breakfast drive back to Bumthang with lunch enroute. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 12: Bumthang – Punakha (205 km, 6 hours): Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Punakha . Lunch would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town.
Enroute at Wangduephodrang take a short break for tea / coffee and then proceed to Punakha hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13: Punakha – Paro (125 km, 4.1/2 hours): After breakfast we drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 14: 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 15: Departure: 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.