DAY 1 Paro to Thimphu
After arriving & visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will be welcomed by our tour representative who will be your tour guide during your entire trip in Bhutan. Check into your hotel in Thimphu. Free until lunch time for some rest from early morning flight, refreshment and lunch. Afternoon, you can choose to visit any or all of the following places:-TashichhoDzong, a Buddhist monastery cum fortress at the northern edge of Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan. The original ThimphuDzong (the Dho-NgyenDzong) is said to have been constructed in 1216 by Lama GyalwaLhanangpa.
The National Memorial Chorten was built by Bhutan's third king, H.M. JigmeDorjiWangchuck who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan." The national Memorial Chorten is located in the center of the capital city, Thimphu and is designed like a Tibetan style Chorten.Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
DAY 2 Thimphu
After early morning breakfast, a choice to visit:- The KuenselPhodrang or the Buddha point isthe world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, the statue is 167 feet high. The Folk Heritage Museum was open to the general public in 2001 upon completion. It treasures troves of culture and rich Bhutanese heritage provide rich insights into the Bhutanese ethos.
National Textile Museum: The second important Museum that also opened its doors in 2001 is the National Textile Museum of Bhutan. During a trip to this museum you will get an up close and personal experience of the living national art of weaving.
National Institute of ZorigChusum: The art and crafts currently taught in Bhutan, were introduced to the country in the 15th century by Trenton PemaLingpa.
Bhutan's National Library was established in the 1967. Its mission is to preserve the literary treasures of the nation which constitute a significant element of Bhutan's rich and vibrant cultural heritage.
The Motithang Takin Preserve also known as the Thimphu Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin Bhutan’s national animal.
The Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory is a small paper factory located in Thimphu that produces paper using traditional Bhutanese methods. The paper products produced at the factory are made from Daphne or Mulberry plant bark. Overnight in a hotel in Thimphu
DAY 3 Thimphu to Punakha
Post early breakfast, you will drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass. We will stop over for tea at Dochula (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges.
The Punakha Dzong or the PungtangDechenPhortangDzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu which in turn is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Dzhong was constructed by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyalWangchuck in 1638. Overnight at hotel in Punakha
DAY 4 Punakha to Trongsa
After an early breakfast, we will be driving down to Trongsa. Admire the view en route the valley of Wangdiphodrang. We will drive to ChimmiLhakhangto start with. The monastery stands on a small hill close to the village of Lobesa and was constructed in 1499 by NgawangChoegyel, the 14thDrukpaheirarch.
Located 2 kilometers away from the village of Chendebji is the ChendebjiChorten, a large Buddhist Stupa. The ChendebjiChorten is a large white structure built in likeness to the famous BodhunathStupa located in Kathmandu in Nepal. The Trongsa Dzongor the CheokhorRabdentse is one of the largest and most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong is located on a cliff overlooking theMangde Chu river gorge. The Dzong was built at the site of a temple that was constructed in 1543, by a Drukpa Lama. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa
DAY 5 Trongsa to Bumthang
After morning breakfast, we will drive towards Bumthang and visit JakarDzong. The JakarDzong is situated above the Jakar village in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang. The Dzhong was originally a site of a monastery that was being constructed at the time of Lama NgagiWanchuck’s visit to Bhutan. According to legend during the construction of the Dzong a white bird emerged from the structure and perched itself on the site. In Bhutanese culture a white bird is considered to be auspicious.Jambay Lhakhang was built by King SrongsenGampo of Tibet in 659 AD. The temple was blessed by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang. The KurjeyLhakhang is a monastery located in the Bumthang Valley of Bhutan. The KurjeyLhakhang Temple Complex is a 30 minute hike from the JambayLhakhang temple. According to legend Sendhu Raja, the King of Bumthang was very ill and invited Guru Rinpoche the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan to give him a cure for his ailment.
NamkheNyingpoGoemba is located on a hill just east of the town of Jakar, the administrative center of the Bumthang district. The monastery was established in 1970 and is home to about 300 monks who are learing about the NyingampaBuddhism.Overnight in a hotel in Bumthang
DAY 6 Bumthang to Gangtey
After breakfast you will drive to Gangtey and visit GangteyGoemba. The Gangtey Monastery or the GangteyGoempa is an important monastery / temple associate with the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. The Monastery is Located in the WanduePhodrang Dzongkhag in central Bhutan. Overnight in a hotel in Gangtey
DAY 7 Gangtay to Paro
After early morning breakfast, you will drive to Paro and on the way, we will visit:-The SimtokhaDzongis a small Dzong located approximately 5 kilometers south of Thimphu. The Dzong is officially called the SangakZabhonPhodrang which roughly translates to the Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras. The SimtokhaDzong is said to be the first fortress to have been built by the legendary ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in Bhutan. The fortress was constructed in the year 1629. Later drive to Paro, and after lunch we will visit:-The National Museum of Bhutan is housed inside the six storied circular Ta Dzong. The Ta Dzong is a medieval watch tower situated above the RimpungDzong. The Ta Dzong was constructed in 1656. The Paro Dzong is probably Bhutan's best known and most iconic Dzong. This is probably the first building you will notice when you land at Paro International Airportand will probably be your first memory of Bhutan. Overnight at hotel in Paro
DAY 8 Paro
After early morning breakfast, we will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world. It is a sight to behold.
The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The temple was built by the Tibetan King SongstenGampo in the 7th Century AD.
DAY 9 Paro to departure
In the morning after early breakfast we will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.