(The itinerary can be revised in feasible order, to incorporate local events or celebrations depending on your interest. Please revise in consultation with your guide)

Day 1Arrival: Paro – Thimphu - Sightseeing (drive: 1 hour)

Some of the attractions and visits include

  1. Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
  2. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products and many more.
  3. 3. Kuensel Phodrang with one of the tallest Bhuddha statue in Bhutan. : Night halt: Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (drive: 2-3 hours): Visits to

  1. Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities.
  2. Lamperi Botanical Garden. If you are interested, enjoy sometime walking in the garden.
  3. Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, it also fulfills the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.
  4. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. And it is still the winter capital or residence of the Central Monastic Body. Punakha dzong (fortress) is strategically located between Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers.
  5. 5. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten – a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and sculptures. : Night halt: Punakha

 

Day 3: Punakha to Wangdue Phodrang – Trongsa (drive: 3 hours)

  1. Wangduephodrang. Wangduephodrang dzong:  constructed in 1638 after a boy named Wangdue- which also means bringing power under ones control.
  2. Phobjikha (2900 masl) is a beautiful valley. It is winter home for black necked cranes (grus nigricollis).
  3. Gantey Gomba monastery is also the only Nyingmapa monastery (the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Bhutan). Enjoy nature – morning or evening walks.
  4. Pele-la pass (3300 masl) conventional division point between the East and the West Bhutan. A beautiful pass with many prayers flags worth a stop for a walk around and pictures, if the sky is clear.
  5. 5. Kathmandu's Swayambhunath Stupa in Bhutan. It is called Chendbji Chorten- built in 18th century by Lama Shida of Tibet. : Night halt: Trongsa

Day 4: Trongsa – Bumthang (Drive: 3 hours)

  1. Trongsa Dzong;  The dzong was built in 1648.
  2. 2. Drive to Bumthang : Night halt: Bumthang

Day 5: Bumthang Tshechu + Sightseeing

  1. Bumthang (2600 – 4000 masl) is known an cultural capital of Bhutan.
  2. Places of interest and to visit are: Kurje Lhakhang – where Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body mark on a rock. Also visit Jambay lhakhang, Tamshing lhakhang and the Jakar Dzong.
  3. One popular site to visit is the Membertsho or the Burning Lake – not that the lake is burning but Pema Lingpa – treasure discoverer of Guru discovered important relics from this lake.

Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Mask dances you would witness are 1. Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort 2. Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds 3. Dance of the Black Hats 4. Dance of the Drums from Dramitse  5. Dance of the eight kinds of Spirits 6. Religious Songs

Night halt: Bumthang or try farm house lodging at Ura.

Day 6: Bumthang Tshechu + Sightseeing

Dance of the Black Hats with Drums 2. Dance of the three kinds of Ging with Sticks, with Swords and with Drums 3. Dance of the Stag and the Hounds 4. Dance of the Terrifying Deities 5. Dance of the Heroes with six kinds of Ornaments 6. Dance of the Nobelmen and Ladies 7. Dance of the four Stags 7. Dance of the Judgement of the Dead 8. Paro Thongdrel 9. Dance of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche 10. Dance of the Sixteen Fairies

Day 7: Bumthang – Phobjikha (Drive: 5-6 hours)

  1. Phobjikha (2900 masl) is a beautiful valley. It is winter home for black necked cranes (grus nigricollis).
  2. Gantey Gomba monastery is also the only Nyingmapa monastery (the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Bhutan). Enjoy nature – morning or evening walks.  : Night Halt: Phobjikha

Day 8: Phobjikha – Haa (Drive: 5-6 hours)

Your drive from Phobjikha to Chunzom (confluence at Paro – Thimphu) is the same route. To go to Haa, new route to Haa starts from Chunzom. The pass you will come across is the Chelila pass. Haa is known as the valley of the Guardian spirit.

Night halt: Haa

Day 9: Haa – Paro (Drive: 2 hours)

After breakfast, start Haa sightseeing. Things you can see in Haa are Wangchulo Dzong, Dobji Dzong,Tagchu Goenba, Lhakhang Karpo and Nagpo, etc. if your visit coincides with Haa summer festival which starts 6th July, you will get an opportunity to explore the Alpine lifestyle – esp. nomadic. After you finish your visit, slowly start your journey to Paro.

Night halt: Paro

Day 10: Paro sightseeing

Start sightseeing in Paro. Some of the attractions in Paro are 1. National Museum- ancient watch tower, 2.Rinpung Dzong – the fortress of the heap of jewels built in 1646, 3. Kyichu Lhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor, 4. Drukgyel Dzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari, 5. Tachog Lhakhang- built in 14th century by son of the builder of Iron chain bridges in Bhutan; if you visit coincides on weekends, try going around to the Sunday market.

Night Halt: Paro

Day 11: Paro- day excursion to famous Paro Taksang( Tiger’s Nest) ( 5-6 hours)

Short hike to Paro Taksang- popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is perched on a rocky cliff. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche – Popularly regarded as the 2nd Lord Buddha and founder of Mahayana Buddhism, rode on a tigress and meditated in this cave.

Night halt: Paro

Day 12: Departure

Drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide and driver will be through and through till you leave the airport and have bid you farewell with onward journey wishes.