Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk air or Bhutan airline
While flying along the Himalayan ranges you get the fascinating views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, including Bhutan’s famous sacred Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. The flight offers an exciting descent into the kingdom. After immigration and custom formalities there will be our local guide to welcome you and drive you to hotel. After refreshment in hotel we will drive to Paro fortress (Fortress on a heap of jewels). The Paro Rimpong Dzong was building in 1645 to defend the valley from enemies. And followed by we will go to Ta Dzong, which has been as a watch tower in old days and now it serves as country national museum.
Later if time permits we will have a leisurely walk around the Paro town.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: The Valley of Paro
Distance from road point: 5 hour to make a round trip by walk.
Morning we will take a pleasure trip to Taksang Monastery which is famously known as “The Tiger’s Nest or Tiger’s lair”. Taksang is considered as the most sacred place in Bhutan where Guru Rinpoche one of the holiest figure in Mahayana Buddhism, flew to the present location on a back of a tigress. The monastery was built in 1692 and it is the place, where Guru Rinpoche had mediated for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. Today it is a culture emblem of Bhutan. A trip to Bhutan is partial without a visit to this holistic site. The visit to Paro Taksang will give you the most thrilling experiences. Lunch will serve in the mid way at cafeteria.
We resume hiking to base point and drive to farm house for a hot stone bath, giving the relief on joint pain.
Overnight at hotel. .
Day 3: Paro to Thimphu (60 km, 2 hours)
After breakfast continue to Thimphu, the capital and largest city of Bhutan. About 5km south of Thimphu lays Simtokha Dzong which is one of the oldest Dzong in the country and was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is the first structure that incorporates both monastic and administrative facilities. The Dzong houses Rigney School for Dzongkha and monastic studies. Afternoon, in Thimphu, visit to the Memorial Stupa which is also known as Thimphu Chorten. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the late third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. And Trashichho Dzong also knew as Thimphu Dzong. Presently Trashichho Dzong houses are the secretariat room, throne room, and offices of the king of Bhutan. During evening, visit handicrafts Emporium & Textile and Fork Heritage Museum.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha (75 km 2 hours 30 minutes)
In Morning, Thimphu sightseeing which includes visiting of National Library, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute. After that head towards Punakha acrossing Dochula pass where there is 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” which was built by the eldest Queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The Punakha Dzong, which is the old capital town of Bhutan. On arrival check into the hotel. Evening visit Punakha, also known as Punthang Dechen Phodrang. Punakha Dzong is the most mesmerizing Dzong in the country. This Dzong was the second Dzong built in country. Later at evening visit to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Day 5: Punakha-Wangduephodrang- Gangtey (70 km, 3 hours)
After breakfast head towards Gangtey by Wangduephodrang. Visit glorious Wangdue Dzong and its native market. Further crossing through intense forest which comprises of oak and rhododendron tress finally arrives to Gangtey (2900m). Evening stroll around Gangtey Village and visit Gangtey Gompa which is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism.
Overnight at Guest House/ Camp
Day 6 : Gangtey – Trongsa ( 120 km, 4 hours 30 minutes)
Morning visit to Phobjikha valley which is well known for Black Necked Cranes. Phojikha valley is one of the most mesmerizing and most preferred place in country for sightseeing. The cranes are the winter visitors during late October to mid Feburary. After lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 11220 ft Pele la. Evening visit to resident market.
Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa
Day 7 : Trongsa- Bumthang( 68 km, 3 hours)
Morning visit to Trongsa Dzong, which is the largest Dzong fortress in Bhutan. The Dzong was built in 1648 and it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Later visit Ta Dzong, “ The watch tower”, which was built to guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion. Ta Dzong gives visitors an insight into the importance of Trongsa Dzong in Bhutan. After lunch head towards Bumthang, which is also known as “The spiritual and cultural heartland of Bhutan”. Evening stroll around the local market.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang
Day 8 : Bumthang
Having more numbers of ancient temples and sacred sites Bumthang falls under the most historic Dzongkhag. Bumthang is well known for its brewery and it produces the famous “Red Panda Wheat Beer”. Morning visit to Jambay Lhakhang which is ten minutes drive from the Chamkhar town. It is one of the oldest temples founded by Songtsen Gampo to subdue the demoness that was residing in the Himalaya. The main relics include the past, present and future Buddha and it has one of the most magnificent festivals in the country which comprises of fire ritual and the ritualistic naked dance. Then visit kurje lhakhang which houses the imprint of Guru Rinpoche who is believed to be mediated in a cave for three months. A tall cypress tress beside the monastery is believed to have sprouted from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche. Afternoon visit to Jakar Yugyal Dzong commonly known as Jakar Dzong. Jakar Dzong or the “Fortress of the white Bird” is the Dzong of the Bumthang District in Central Bhutan. Later visit Tamshing Lhakhang which is the important Nyingma Gompa in Bhutan and it was founded by Pema Lingpa in the year 1501.Tamshing lhakhang houses ancient religious painting like one thousand Buddhas and 21 Taras(female form of Buddhistava). Evening visit to local handicrafts and market
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 9 : Bumthang- Mongar ( 198 km, 7 hours)
The journey resume towards eastwards twisting through more jagged terrain. The 7 hours journey takes you through spectacular views while passing through URA village and the highest motorable pass in the kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass. Upon approaching Sengor, visitors are welcomed by the splendid cascading waterfall on the way and later by Maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit to Mongar Dzong which holds the Architectural traditions of old Dzongs.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Mongar – Trashigang (96 km, 3 hours).
The three hours journey takes through a mesmerizing place marked by Chhorten and stone wall called Kori la pass which is 2450 m above sea level. The journey continuous through flourishing forest crammed with ferns and later welcomed by beautiful corn fields and banana groves upon reaching Yadi. Beautiful Gamri river flows till the junction to Dametsi Monastery which is the home of the Dramitse Ngacham or Drum Dance originate by Lama Kunga Gyaltsen. About 1000m from this point lies Trashigang. Trashigang is the eastern terminus of the Lateral Road and Bhutan’s main highway leading to Phuntsholing in the southern west. Trashigang is the largest district in Bhutan. Trashigang is served by Yongphulla Airport. Visit Trashigang Dzong which was built in 1659 by Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tenpa and had served as an administrative headquarters and monastery.
Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 11: Trashigang (excursion to Trashiyangtse).
Visit Gom Kora temple which is 24 km away from Trashigang. It is believed that during 8th century Guru Rinpoche, Buddhist Saint mediated in order to subdue a demon. It is also believed that Guru left his body imprint on the rock. Further continuing the journey will reach to Doksum village where all the women will be busy weaving the traditional Bhutanese Fabric followed by a chain bridge. Visit to Trashiyangtse Dzong which is one of the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong was built by Pema Lingpa in 15th century the fortress houses the statue of Chuchizey (Avaloketshvara).Evening return to Trashigang.
Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 12: Trashigang- Bumthang (289 km, 10 hours)
After breakfast head back to Bumthang and lunch will be served enroute. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 13: Bumthang- Punakha( 205 km, 6 hours)
After breakfast visit native market and drive to Punakha. Lunch will be served at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa. Upon reaching Wangduephodrang take a short tea/coffee break then continue the journey towards Punakha hotel for overnight. Dinner will be served from the same hotel.
Day 14: Punakha- Paro (125km, 4 hours 30 minutes)
Morning visit native markets and after lunch head towards Paro for overnight stay.
Day 15: Paro Depart
After breakfast from the hotel, head towards the airport for flight to onwards destination.