Day 01|Paro
Your flight to Bhutan (Paro) is considered to be world’s most spectacular flight crossing over beautiful Himalayas. If one is staying near the window side, one can see Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makula, and other high peaks such as Jumolhari. You will be welcome by green beautiful Paro valley with eye catching gigantic dzong (fortress) of Paro. Upon reaching, Bhutan Inner Peace Travel’s Representative will be there to escort you. Transfer to your hotel.
One can wander on your own to town or stroll streets or relax in your hotel.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day02|Paro-Thimphu
After Breakfast proceed towards Thimphu which is also the capital city of Bhutan with population approximately e over 150,000. Enroute to Thimphu visit Simtokha Dzong which is one of the first dzong or fortress built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal a Tibetan Saint after that resume your drive. Upon reaching checkin at the hotel after few minutes rest visit National Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the late 3rd King later drive to Buddha view point from where you will be amazed to see panoramic view of the Thimphu city and also it will be world’s tallest sitting Buddha with height of 51.50m/169ft tall once it is completed. Lunch in the town. After lunch visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, Enclosure where national animal, Takin are kept and stop for view of the Thimphu Fortress from the top near Nunnery then visit Zilukha Nunnery.
In the evening visit Trashichhoe dzong (Palace of Glorious religion) which holds office of the king and cabinet ministers.
Overnight: Thimphu-Altitude: 2300m.
Day03|Thimphu
Morning start your day with good breakfast and cup of coffee/tea then drive to Tango Monastery which is around 12 km North of Thimphu town for half an hour till the base of Tango Hill through. “Tango” which means horse head and is derived from the deity Tandin (Hayagriva), Legend says during 12th century when Phao Dugom Zhigpo visited the place, he heard the neighing a horse approaching from the direction of Tango, to his surprise on the nearing the place, he saw a cliff alleged to be the body of the deity Tandin engulfed in fames. The deity appeared before him in person and prophesied that in future there will be mediation centre built over the place. Now it is renowned Buddhist college and also the residence of the Druk Desi Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye reincarnate of the 4th Secular ruler during Zhabdrung’s regime who built the Tango Monastery.
Picnic Lunch will be served near the river bank after you cross a traditional wooden cantilever bridge at the base of Cheri Monastery.
Retrace drive back to Thimphu then take uphill drive till telecom tower. From there hike to the Wangditse Goemba which is an easy one hour walk with great views of Thimphu and the Thimphu dzong (fortress) from the top. The monastery was founded in 1750 by the attendants of Bhutan’s eight desi, Druk Rabgay. The Lhakhang houses the statues of the guardian deities yeshey Goenpo (Mahakala), Palden Lhamo (Mahakali) and Tsheringma (the goddess of longevity.
Evening at leisure or scroll Thimphu streets own your own.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day04|Thimphu-Punakha
Start your morning with good breakfast and tea because today your journey will be little bit longer but you will be amazed by beautiful landscapes on the way. Proceed towards Punakha by crossing through Dochula pass, the second highest road pass in your trip at elevation of 3010m. If weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. The pass is decked with beautiful 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten. After a short tea break the trip continues to sub tropical Punakha. Afternoon visit Chimi Lhakhang (temple of fertility); we take a short hike through the rice field to the temple, the 15th-century monastery built on a ridge or small mountain top which was believed to have been built after Lam Drukpa Kuenley also known as Divine Madman who have subdued a powerful demoness there. The temple is also famous as many barren couples come to seek blessing for a child.
Later on visit Punakha dzong which is also known as palace of Great Bliss/Happiness. The dzong stands magnificently on the spit of land between two rivers Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (Female) which literally looks like a gigantic anchored ship in itself. After the dzong, visit, we take an exciting walk across the one of a kind suspension bridge crossing Pho Chhu (male). One feels like it’s a great place to do bungee jumping when you are on the bridge.
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m
Day05| Punakha-Trongsa
After breakfast proceed towards Trongsa enroute Wangdue which privides ample opportunities for breaks, walks and taking pictures. The first stop at Pele La at the elevation of 3420m which is marked by a Chorten and an array of prayer flags. If weather permits you will be seeing Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and other peaks. Check small stroll of Yak herder of nearby village Longte at the pass who comes here to sell their products from Yak and its hair. Further descend down from the pass enrouting Longte valley, Rukubji valley and upon reaching Chendbji you will see huge white wash Chorten known as Chendebji Chorten near the river which resemble Swayambhunath stupa at Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century. After spending sometime there resume your drive to Trongsa upon reaching Trongsa visit Trongsa Dzong which is considered to be largest dzong in the country after the dzong visit Trongsa Museum which has fine collection of Royals. The museum has on display about 224 items used over the years by the Wangchuk dynasty. You will be having chance to see Raven Crown worn by the first king in 1907 and many other objects of interest.
Overnight: Trongsa| Altitude: 1800m
Day06| Trongsa-Bumthang
After breakfast, proceed towards central Bhutan Bumthang crossing Yotongla Pass (3425m), before reaching Bumthang. Bumthang has its own charmness to please visitors and separates from the rest of the regions. It is comprised of four valleys namely Ura, Tang, Chumey and Choekhor valley. En route Chumey valley stop at Yathra (woolen material ) cloth shop where they have many products in display and for sale. Lunch at Chumey Nature Resort. After lunch drive to Nimalung Monastery and from there hike down to Prakar Lhakhang which will take around 45 minutes crossing blue pine forest. Leisure on your own at hotel.
Overnight:Bumthang
Day07| Bumthang
In the Morning after good breakfast proceed for the sightseeing firstly visit Jakar dzong also known as castle of white bird then visit Wangdicholing Palace, after that Jambey Lhakhang then Kurjey Lhakhang hike to Tamshing Lhakhang before that go for lunch at local farm house to experience typical farm house cuisine. After lunch visit Tamshing Lhakhang also known as temple of good message then visit swiss beer factory and swiss factory. Scroll town own your own.
Overnight:Bumthang
Day08| Bumthang-Wangdi
Morning retrace your drive to wangdue.
Day09| Wangdue-Paro
Start early retracing the drive to Paro. Upon reaching Paro break for Lunch and then optional either do Zorig hike from Uma Paro and ends near National Museum which gives you ample opportunity to have lovely view of Paro Valley as a whole or hike up to 17 century Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot by crossing the old traditional cantilever wooden bridge (Nymizampa) which is still in use today after that visit National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings.Evening leisure on your own or your guide will be arranging archery for you with minimal fees.
Overnight: Paro
Day10|Paro-Haa-Paro (Day Excursion)
After breakfast continue your journey to Haa valley enrouting Cheela Pass at elevation of 3988m which will be highest point in your trip. Stop there for sometimes. You will be served with hot tea at the pass by your guide and the beauty of the pass is that you will be able to see beautiful snow clapped mountain mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) if weather permits. Upon reaching visit Lhakhang Karpo (white temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black temple). Lunch in a town or packed Lunch will be served way back from Haa valley.
A visit to the Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in the country which is believed to have been built during 8th century by the Tibetan King Songson Gompo who was instructed to built 108 temples with thin one day as legend says there was giant Oggress who was creating hurdle for the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayan country so in order to pin down the demoness thus two temples were built in our country, one in Paro Kyichu Lhakhang and another at Bumthang Jambey Lhakhang. These two temples were built in same day.
Evening leisure on your own or your guide will be arranging archery for you with minimal fees.
Overnight: Paro
Day11|Paro
Start your morning with good breakfast and cup of tea as today you will be hiking to the one of the most iconic monastery in the country to the Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The hike will take around 2-3 hours approx depending upon pace of walk and breaks one takes but surely one will be amazed by scenery down below to the valley and will not be able to restrain from taking pictures. Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest clings to a huge granite cliff hanging at 900m from the Paro vally. Legends says that the Indian Tantric Buddhist master known as Guru Padma Sambhava came here during 8th century on a flying tigress and meditated here in a cave for 3 months, thereby subduing the evil force that was creating hurdle for the spread of Buddhism.
Evening stroll old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores and also if you like your guide will be arranging hot stone bath on supplement cost as it will be relieving experience especially after the hike.
Overnight: Paro
Day12|Departure
After breakfast Bhutan Inner Peace Travel’s representative will escort you till the airport and bid you farewell at the airport.
