Itinerary

1. Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

   • Enjoy the wonderful views of the Himalaya Scenery on your flight to Paro. It is a breathtaking journey culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean, and fresh air as you step out of the plane. 
   • On arrival at the airport and after completing your airport formalities, you will be met by our representative. 
   • Begin the day with some sightseeing in Paro. 
   • Visit the Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. It has a collection of ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps, and natural history. 
   • Next, drive down to Rinpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels), which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
   • Head back towards Paro town.
   • After lunch, there will be an interesting drive of about 1.30 hours from Paro following the Pachu River. At the confluence where the Thimphu river meets the Paro River, there are three stone monuments, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese-style stupas.
   • Upon reaching Thimphu, visit the Memorial Chorten.
   • Visit the post office, which has Bhutan's beautiful stamps.
   • If time permits, go to see the Changangkha Lhakhang, a temple where all the newborn has to be taken for the blessing from the local deity.

   Overnight stay in Thimphu.

2. Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha

   • In the morning, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and National Textile Museums, which offer a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous.

   • Go to The National Library, another site to see the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back from the 8th century.

   • Visit the school for arts and crafts where the children were taught 13 types of arts and crafts of Bhutan.

   • The Folk heritage museum is a replica of a medieval farmhouse and is patronized by HM the Queen Sangay Choden Wangchuck to protect the textile heritage of Bhutan. 

   • After lunch, with a visit to the traditional hospital. 

   • Go to the Tallest Buddha Statue overlooking Thimphu valley.

   • After that, start your journey to Punakha. 

   • On the way, stop at Dochu-La pass (3,088m/10,130ft). 

   Overnight stay in Punakha.

3. Day 3: Punakha to Phobjikha

   • Drive to Punakha Dzong, placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.

   • On the way, back visit Chimi Lhakhang, a very popular and revered temple that lies on the periphery of the fertile valley of Lobesa.

   • Have lunch at a local restaurant.

   • Later drive to Wangduephodrang, the last town on the highway, before entering central Bhutan and further drive to Phobjikha Valley. 

   Overnight stay in Phobjikha.

4. Day 4: Phobjikha to Thimphu

   • After breakfast, drive back towards Gangtey Goemba through a beautiful glacier valley where the black-necked crane resides during the winter months.

   • Visit the striking Gangtey Goemba, sitting at the head of the valley. 

   • After the visit, start your way to Thimphu. 

   Overnight stay in Thimphu.

5. Day 5: Tango Buddhist Monastery

   • After a late breakfast, drive to the parking lot below the Tango Buddhist monastery. The hike takes about 45min to reach the monastery.
   • On the way back, visit Takin zoo. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan.
   • Drive down to the school for arts and crafts, where the children were taught 13 types of arts and crafts of Bhutan.
   • Have a late lunch and drive to Paro. 

   Overnight stay at Paro.

6. Day 6: Paro to Chele La Pass / Taktsang

   • Go on a day excursion tour to the beautiful Chele La Pass / Haa Valley - this beautiful valley only opened to tourists in the past few years and remains a seldom-visited destination. The route begins with a slow climb up to Cheli La Pass through mixed forests of blue pine, cypress, larch, fir and rhododendron. Slowly the landscape changes to one of the alpine pastures with carpets of mountain flowers, including Bhutan's national flower, the blue poppy. 

   • On a clear day at Cheli La Pass (3900m), there are panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas. 

   • After lunch, drive back to Paro. 

   Overnight stay in Paro.

                                                                           OR

   • Hike to Taktsang. The trail is broad, and the walk uphill takes you a little more than 1000ft above the Paro valley. The view of the Taktsang monastery built on the cliff is a spectacular sight. It is also a great pilgrim site for Buddhists. 

   • Have some tea and snacks at the cafeteria and return to Paro. 

   • If there is enough time, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, which was once a historic monument built as a symbol of victory for the Bhutanese against the northern invaders. Now it stands in ruins.

   • On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th-century by the King of Tibet and one of the two oldest shrines in the Kingdom.

   • If not tired, go to the Paro town to buy souvenirs.

   Overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.

7. Day 7: Final Departure

   • After breakfast, drive to the airport and fly onward destination.