Day 1 – Fly to Paro

Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight often gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, including Everest, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing.  Met on arrival by your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your hotel.

After a fine rest and lunch we take off the afternoon sight seeing to Drukgyal Dzong, 15 kms from Paro Drukgyal Dzong and return via the town for an initial wonder along the streets of the small township of Paro.   Spend the night at hotel Olathang, Paro.

Day 2 –Trek to view Taksang 

Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the site of the famous Tiger's nest, the Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 1000m/3,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley. It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan.  After Lunch visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit the massive Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events, which has a long and fascinating history. There will also be a chance to wander around the small township of Paro.  Overnight Hotel Olathang

Day 3 - Paro to Thimphu

2 hours drive from Paro across the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Thimphu Chhu to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan.  En-route to Thimphu view the Simtokha Dzong (currently under renovation), the oldest Dzong in the country built in 1627. We will settle into our centrally located hotel. After lunch and good rest, we take care of the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu.  Sightseeing includes visits to the late king's memorial chorten, the Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, the silversmiths and pottery workshops, and possibly the National Library.  Check in at Hotel Druk in Thimphu.

Day 4 – Explore Thimphu valley

After breakfast, we visit the weekly vegetable market, where people from outlying villages come to sell vegetables and exotic fruits. You will also find all kinds of goods that the Bhutanese use at home including wonderful textiles. From the weekly vegetable market, we take you to the institute of performing arts complex to witness a special performance of religious dances performed at annual festivals in different parts of the country. After lunch, we wonder around the Thimphu Town. Overnight at Hotel Druk.

Day 5 – Thimphu to Trongsa 

About 7 hrs drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and  constantly changing vegetation.

We begin today with an hours drive to the Do Chula pass (10000 ft), through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass have the panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks.   Continue to Wangdi Phodrang and view the Dzong perched some 100m above the wangchhu. Lunch is served at Wangdi Phodrang.  Carry on the drive after lunch through different vegetation with beautiful magnolia and rhododendron forest finally crossing the Pelela pass 11,121ft. Continue the drive onward to Trongsa arrival late afternoon. Here we halt for the night at a local hotel.

Day 6 - Trongsa to Bumthang

After breakfast, we will have some time to explore the shops at Trongsa after which we will walk up the small hill to visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower which overlooks Tongsa Dzong. The main temple in Ta Dzong is dedicated to Ling Gesar, the warrior whose mission was to vanquish the forces threatening the Buddhist teachings. After lunch, drive for around four hours to Jakar, the center of the Bumthang valley.  From Tongsa the road climbs quickly to Yuto-la pass (11,155ft), the scenery changes to fir-covered slopes, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. We then enter the wide Chumme valley of Bumthang, which is famous for woolen cloth weaving known as Yathra. The women weavers make Yathra on pedal-driven looms, following an ancient tradition. Everything is done by hand, from dyeing the skins through the actual weaving. The Yathra is used to make blankets, cushion covers, jackets and others garments. We will visit few centers of Yathra weaving.  Arrive at Jakar by late afternoon.  Settle into our comfortable Bhutanese lodge.

Day 7 – Jakar/Bumthang valley tour

We will spend a full day in this marvelous valley -Bumthang. It was in this valley that Vajrayana Buddhist doctrine was introduced to Bhutan, when Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, visited the valley in 8th Century. Jam bay Lhakhang, the first Buddhist temple dedicated to the future Buddha, was built here in 7th Century, even before the arrival of Guru Rinpoche by the Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo.  A little further to the north we have Kurjey Lhakhang, a temple, built around the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left the imprint of his body on a rock. Kurjey is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Next to this temple, there are two new temples built in traditional style. Walking is certainly the most pleasant way to explore this magical valley, full of peace and beauty. Three to four hours of walk in the valley will take us past numerous chortens, Mani walls and prayer flags, all bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism.  Overnight at Tamshing Lodge.

Day 8 – Bumthang URA

Day excursion to URA Valley. The road to URA Valley is off the main road, and this enjoyable excursion will provide a nice view of the Jakar Dzong. You'll make a stop in URA village for lunch and will have a chance to visit the main temple and explore the village. Ura Village has a medieval look to it because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical clothing of the women includes a sheepskin shawl. On the way back to town, you will be taken to Membar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rimpoche’s treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to meditate. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang; a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings and you will make a stop at the Swiss cheese factory. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight at Tamshing Lodge.

Day 9 – Bumthang to Phobjikha (Gangtey Gompa)

Today, after breakfast, we will hit the road back for Tongsa.  Stop for lunch in Tongsa and continue on to Phobjikha valley at 3,000 m in the Black Mountains. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and is the home to the very rare black necked crane.  The birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan to winter here (from November -March). Visit Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries that look like a small Dzong. Her we settle into a traditional Bhutanese house that has been converted to a rustic guesthouse.

Day 10 – Gangtey Gompa to Wangdi Phodrang and Punakha

After breakfast at the guesthouse, we l have an opportunity to visit the courtyard of the beautiful Gangtey monastery.  Continue on to Wangdi Phodrang, where we will have our lunch. We then drive over to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of two (male) and Mo (female) Rivers, in 1637 was damaged and restored several times.  We will spend the night in Zangdopelri hotel.

Day 11 – Hike to Chorten Nebu a 16th century temple in Punakha

40 minutes shuttle to Kabjisa trail head and 3 hours hike will reach you to Chorten Nebu.  It is a beautiful walk to a lovely village surrounded by orange groves to a temple, which dates back to the time of 'The Divine Madman' Drukpa Kunley. Visit the temple and make our offerings.  See the tree outside in the courtyard, which is supposed to have sprouted up after Drukpa Kunley sent a thunderbolt from an adjoining valley. Hike back on a different trail through rice fields to the road head.  Halt for the night at Zangdopelri hotel.

Day 12 – Punakha to Thimphu

Three hours drive from Punakha to Thimphu.  En-route 25 minute walks to Chime Lhakhang, a beautiful fertility monastery, and learn about the famous saint known as Drukpa Kunley the “divine madman.”  Continue our drive back to Dochu-la pass where we stop for lunch and circumambulate at leisure, the marvelous sputa clockwise. You will spend the evening on your own; explore interesting shops nearby your hotel.

Day 13 – Thimphu to Paro

2 hours early morning drive back to Paro. Day excursions to Haa valley via chelela pass

One and half hours drive to Chelela pass at 3988m en route to Haa.  From the pass you will have panoramic views of the two valleys of Paro & Haa and of course, the beautiful Himalayan ranges of Bhutan.  You will have the most scenic view of Mt. Jomolhari; Haa Valley is situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Extraordinarily beautiful Haa Valley is newly opened to Tourists.  With its three prominent hills representing the three guardian deities, this valley is said to have been named by Guru Padmasambava himself—HAA means "mystical”.   Stay overnight at Hotel Olathang.

Day 14 – Departure

Tashidelek!