In the Bumthang Valley, Bhutan's spiritual center, experience the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival's opulent pageantry and merry atmosphere. Festivals, or tsechus, are among the greatest opportunities to explore Bhutan's ancient yet vibrant culture. A Tsechu is a Buddhist celebration held in Guru Rimpoche's honor. Guru Rimpoche was a saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. Villagers from the area come together in an atmosphere of festivity, celebration, and profound faith to take in the unusual masked dances and festivals. Visit the holy locations at Gangtey, Punakha, Paro, Thimphu, and Bumthang as well.

Day 1 : Arrive at Paro or Thimphu on

With a continually changing view of some of the highest mountains on earth, the flight to Paro is one of the most breathtaking mountain flights in the entire globe.

After lunch, take in the afternoon's Paro sightseeing, which includes a trip to the ta dzong museum, which is home to several religious artifacts, works of art, and handicrafts and provides a fascinating overview of Bhutan's historical, cultural, and religious history. Visit the rimpong dzong next to see a portrait of the revered saint Milarepa, who is regarded by the Bhutanese as the master of meditation and is thought to have gained enlightenment in a single lifetime. Dzongs, formerly important strategic forts, are now substantial monasteries and district administrative hubs. After that, take a 1.5-hour journey down the pachu river to the capital city of Thimphu. Your guide will give you a lesson in proper Bhutanese etiquette before supper at the hotel. Spend the night in Thimphu at your hotel.

Day 2 : THIMPHU

Thimphu, formerly a little town situated in a wide, productive river valley, is now the vibrant capital of the country. Enjoy an entire day of sightseeing, which should include a trip to the national memorial Chorten, which the royal queen's mother finished as a monument to the third king, who died in 1972. Continue to the zilukha nunnery and the changangkha temple from the 12th century.

If you have the opportunity, you may also stop by the takin, the country of Bhutan's national animal, and tashichhodzong, also known as "the castle of the wonderful religion," which houses the main body of monks as well as some government offices.
Spend the night in Thimphu at your hotel.

Day 3 : PUNAKHA - THIMPHU

Before descending into the warm Punakha valley, go across the dochu-la pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day gives breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks (about 3 hrs total driving time). One can get a peek at daily life in this most isolated Himalayan kingdom on the journey through the countryside. Large rhododendron woods can reach tree size and bloom in late April or early may in the dochu-la region, engulfing the mountains in a riot of brilliant spring color. Bhutan's former capital was Punakha. When you arrive, go to Punakha dzong, the "palace of great happiness" that the shabdrung, the "unifier of Bhutan," built-in 1637. It serves as the je khenpo's winter headquarters, with hundreds of monks migrating there in large numbers from colder Thimphu. A stunning example of traditional construction, the Punakha dzong's three-story main temple features four cypress entrance pillars that have been elaborately embossed and then embellished with gold and silver. The coronation of Bhutan's first monarch took place here in 1907. Spend the night at your Punakha or wangduephodrang hotel.

Day 4 : PUNAKHA

Drive to yabesa village in the morning, where you can climb past rice paddies and up to the khamsum yueley Namgyal Chorten, which was constructed by her majesty queen Ashi Tshering yangdon wangchuk. The chorten, which is perched high on a hill along the river, is home to paintings from the nyingmapa tradition.

Before exploring wangduephodrang dzong, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it by a beautiful riverbed. The dzong, which was constructed in 1639, is positioned on a spur at the meeting point of two rivers. In the 17th century wangduephodrang played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern regions of the country.

After that, take a short stroll to chimi lhakhang, the temple of the drukpa kuenly, also known as the divine madman. This is located in the Punakha valley. He inherited the moniker "divine madman" because he rebelled against traditional Buddhism at the time. He educated the populace that religion is an inner sense and that becoming an ordained monk is not necessary. He is also viewed as a representation of fertility, and most childless couples seek blessings at his temple.
Spend the night at your Punakha or wangduephodrang hotel.

Day 5 : PUNAKHA - TRONGSA - BUMTHANG

Drive for eight hours across the black mountain range's dochu-la (3,100m) and pele la (3,420m) passes from Punakha to Bumthang through Trongsa. Visit the stunning chendebji chorten en route. It was built in the 18th century. As you approach the village over a twisting road, the massive Trongsa dzong can be seen across a steep canyon. The governing dynasty of Bhutan hails from Trongsa. Visit Trongsa dzong, Bhutan's biggest dzong, after lunch. One can see miles over the landscape from the dzong, which has an amazing outlook. Visit the ta dzong museum as well, which has a magnificent collection of royal family historical artifacts.

Drive on to Bumthang, where you may find some of Bhutan's oldest temples and palaces. Huge hills in the valley, which ascend toward the Himalayan mountain wall dividing Bhutan from Tibet, are surrounded by barley fields, apple orchards, and meadows. Try to stay up until midnight to catch the jambay Lhakhang drup festival's opening ceremonies, which feature an extraordinary naked dance done to purify the area. Spend the night in your Bumthang lodge.

Day 6 : BUMTHANG

Visit the seventh-century jambay Lhakhang in the morning and Bhutan's most revered site, kurjey Lhakhang, where guru Rimpoche meditated. It is one of the oldest temples in the kingdom and dates back to the early days of Buddhism in Bhutan. Visit tamshing Lhakhang, built-in 1501 by pemalingpa and home to intriguing, epoch-defining Buddhist wall paintings, after lunch. After that, take some time to explore the major township of Bumthang, the settlement of jakar.
At your lodging in Jakar, bumthang, spend the night.

Day 7 : BUMTHANG

Return to Jambay Lhakhang to take part in more of the celebrations, or take a trip to tang valley, the most isolated valley in the Bumthang province. The ugyen chholing palace, constructed in the 16th century by the Trongsa penlop tshokey Dorji, may be reached after a 45-minute climb. A remarkable museum that gives visitors a true understanding of a Bhutanese noble family's lifestyle is now housed in the complex's main structure. Highlights include a bone-based Dakini dance attire and a book of divination. You can also go to mebar tsho (burning lake), where some of guru rinpoche's treasures were discovered in the 15th century by the renowned treasure hunter Pema lingpa, and tang Rimochen Lhakhang, where guru rinpoche meditated in the 14th century. It’s a good location to meditate. Overnight at your lodge in Bumthang.

Day 8 : BUMTHANG - PUNAKHA

Visit kurjey lhakhang, one of the most revered sites in the country, where guru Rimpoche, Bhutan's patron saint, meditated, in the morning. Drive to Punakha after that, stopping for lunch along the way. Spend the night at your Punakha hotel.

Day 9 : PUNAKHA - PARO

Return to Thimphu by car, where you can have lunch and browse the handicraft and gift shops. After that, travel to Paro while stopping at semtokha dzong. The Dzong is Bhutan's oldest structure and dates back to 1627. The institute for language and culture studies is now housed there. When you get to Paro, check into your accommodation. The afternoon is free. Spend the night in your Paro hotel.

Day 10 : PUNAKHA - PARO

Trek to Taktsang monastery after breakfast. The track is wide, and the two-hour ascent brings you about a kilometer above the Paro valley level (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). A breathtaking sight is the vista of Taktsang monastery, which is perched 900 meters above the valley level on a sheer cliff face. The monastery is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage place as well. When the great guru Rimpoche brought the Buddhist dharma to Bhutan in the eighth century, it is stated that he flew here on the back of a tigress. The monastery was then established on the site where he later meditated there for three months. You might stop at a teahouse nearby for refreshments.

Drive to the Drukgyel Dzong ruins in the afternoon. The shabdrung created this historical structure in the 17th century to honor his triumph over Tibetan invaders in 1644. When the weather is nice, the majestic summit of the revered mount Jomolhari (7314m) makes for an amazing backdrop. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by theTibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, on the way back to Paro.

Alternatively, day 10 could be spent on a day trip to the Haa valley, one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. Reached via the beautiful chelila pass, Haa valley is characterized by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Day 10 : Depart Paro

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination.