Itinerary

1. Arrival Paro

   • During the flight on a clear day, one sees the breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitsu. 

   • In the afternoon, you will visit the following places:

     • Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress 

     • National Museum (watchtower), a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan, established in 1968

     • Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest monastery), a very significant Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango Gewog 

     • Drugyal Dzong (victory Dzong), ruins located in the upper part of the Paro District 

   • In the evening, indulge in a Bhutanese lifestyle by exploring Paro town.  

   Overnight stay in Paro Hotel.

2. Paro – Thimphu (morning hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery)

   • After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. 

   • The hike to reach the viewpoint of the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. 

   • After lunch, drive to Thimphu with a Bhutanese guide. 

   • In the evening, you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, indulge yourself in the lifestyle of the Bhutanese.  You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. 

   Overnight in Thimphu.

3. Thimphu sightseeing

   • After breakfast, you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built-in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which has the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. 

   • From there, you will proceed to visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). 

   • After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). 

   Overnight in Thimphu.

4. Thimphu - Wangdiphodrang, (afternoon Punakha sightseeing)

   • After breakfast, you will drive to Wangdue Phodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. 

   • After lunch, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. 

   • On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. 

   Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

5. Wangdiphodrang - Trongsa, with excursion to Gantey

   • Begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. 

   • From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. 

   • From there, you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300- meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of the year, it's possible to see yaks.

   • Browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. 

   Overnight in Trongsa.

6. Trongsa - Bumthang

   • In the morning, you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. 

   • After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. 

   • Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. 

   • Spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town.

   Overnight in Bumthang.

7. Bumthang sightseeing

   • After breakfast you will visit the following places:

     • Jakar Dzong, a fortress

     • Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan

     • Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print

     • Tamshing Lhakhang, to see the old Buddhist paintings

     • Short hike to Thangbi Monastery

     • Mebar Tsho, also known as the Burning Lake

     • Swiss Cheese Factory

   • Spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. 

   Overnight in Bumthang.

8. Bumthang - Wongdiphodrang

   • Begin the day at the Bumthang market and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. 

   Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

9. Wangdiphodrang - Paro

   • Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum. 

   • In the afternoon, you will continue the drive to Paro. 

   • In the evening, you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. 

   Overnight in Paro.

10. Departure

    • Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight home. Hope to see you again! Tashi Delek!