At the Matsutake Festival, revel in the beginning of the wild Matsutake mushroom season with the inhabitants of the legendary Ura Valley. One of the most beautiful valleys in the entire kingdom is known as Ura. The Uraps, who live there, is a friendly and welcoming people. One of the most genuine glimpses into rural traditional Bhutanese life is offered in Ura.

Day 1 : ARRIVE at PARO or THIMPHU

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 your Thimphu hotel.

Day 2 : THIMPHU

Drive to Tashichhodzong to join the Thimphu festival after breakfast. Locals who have traveled long distances to attend the celebrations will be seen, dressed to the nines. They come to the feast, pray, and see masked dances. While the festival's overarching goal is spiritual, dances more frequently take the form of dramas, presenting tales of good triumphing over evil or portraying key historical moments, particularly those related to the life of Padmasambhava, Bhutan's patron saint (also known as Guru Rinpoche). Naturally, there is also a lot of socializing. "The fortress of the noble religion" is Tashichhodzong. It was first built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and it was restored in the traditional form, without plans or nails, in the 1960s, during the reign of Bhutan's third monarch. Some departments, His Majesty's secretariat, and the main body of monks are all housed in Tashichhodzong.
Spend the night in your Thimphu hotel.

Day 3 : THIMPHU - TRONGSA

Drive across the Dochu-La pass (3,100m) and Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range from Thimphu to Trongsa (7-8 hours). Visit the stunning Chendebji Chorten en route. In the 18th century, the Chorten was constructed. As you approach the village over a twisting road, the massive Trongsa Dzong can be seen across a steep canyon. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Stroll around the town in the evening.

Day 4 : BUMTHANG - TRONGSA

Visit Trongsa Dzong, a magnificent example of Bhutanese design. The largest Dzong in Bhutan is Trongsa. Trongsa Dzong was built on foundations erected in the sixteenth century, and it today has 22 temples. From the Dzong, one can see for kilometers across the magnificent countryside, which is breathtaking. It was once the watchtower for both the eastern and western trade routes, making it a crucial Dzong from a strategic perspective.

Additionally, the Ta Dzong Museum, which is situated on a hill overlooking Trongsa Dzong The museum's primary focus is on the monarchy's history, and it is filled with extremely rare and priceless artifacts commemorating the Bhutanese monarchy's centennial festivities and coronation. These include statues created in the 17th century depicting the 3rd King, the Raven Crown, and the Sword of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal, as well as the first King's Namza (dress).

After that, travel for 2.5 hours to Bumthang, one of Bhutan's most beautiful valleys and the nation's spiritual and cultural center. The route descends sharply through a thick coniferous forest to Chummey valley after climbing steeply to Yo Yutung La Pass (3,400m). The main settlement in Bumthang, Jakar, is about an hour away from here.

Some of Bhutan's oldest palaces, Buddhist temples, and monasteries may be found in Bumthang. Huge hills in the valley, which ascend up toward the Himalayan mountain wall dividing Bhutan from Tibet, are surrounded by barley fields, apple orchards, and meadows. The numerous huge farms and temples showcase Bhutan's exquisite architecture. Bumthang is linked to Terton Pemalingpa and Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava).

Visit Jakar Dzong, popularly known as "Fortress of the White Bird," after lunch. Shabdrung's great-grandfather was responsible for founding it. The Dzong was initially constructed in 1549 as a monastery but was later rebuilt after Shabdrung solidified his control in 1646. The Dzong is currently the hub of the Bumthang valley's administration.

Day 5 : BUMTHANG

Start your day of sightseeing in Bumthang with Jampey Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples that Tibetan King Songtsen constructed in the seventh century. Here, in front of his host King Sendha, the local tsar, his family, and his subjects, Guru Rimpoche delivered his first sermon on Tantric Buddhism. Continue to Kurjey Lhakhang, which is renowned for having a rock with the body imprint of the great master Guru Rimpoche within one of the temples. The large cypress tree on the grounds of the temple is thought to be Guru Rimpoche's walking staff.

Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the home of Bumthang's most illustrious son, saint Pema Lingpa, after that. In 1501, he alone erected it. He created the principal statues and painted the frescoes, some of the oldest in Bhutan that can still be seen today, primarily in their original state. He was a great tantric master and artist. Devotees can also circumambulate the inner sanctuary while carrying a chain of mail forged by Pema Lingpa to purify their sins.
Spend the night at your Bumthang hotel.

Day 6 : BUMTHANG

Visit the Matsutake Festival, held in the lovely Ura valley to mark the beginning of the mushroom season. The changing of the seasons offers the chance to experience some genuinely delectable matsutake dishes, music, and dances while interacting with the people and learning more about village life. As you go on trips to collect mushrooms in one of Bhutan's most picturesque valleys, you can learn how to recognize the fabled mushrooms.

Day 7 : GANGTEY - BUMTHANG (PHOBJIKHA VALLEY)

Set out this morning for Gangtey, which is roughly 6 hours from Bumthang. You will witness local farmers wearing the distinctive woven bamboo hats of central Bhutan, and the area is dotted with farmhouses and temples. One of Bhutan's few glacial valleys, the broad and lovely Phobjikha valley serves as the winter home to black-necked cranes when they migrate from the Tibetan plateau (November to March). The lone Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is Gangtey Goempa (Monastery).
Spend the night at your Phobjikha hotel.

Day 8 : GANGTEY (PHOBJIKHA VALLEY)- PUNAKHA

Visit the Black-Necked Crane Center in the morning before leaving for Thimphu (approx 3 hrs). The route gradually descends into the pleasant Punakha valley from Gangtey. The rest of the day is free. Spend the night in your Thimphu hotel. One of Bhutan's few glacial valleys, the broad and lovely Phobjikha valley serves as the winter home to black-necked cranes when they migrate from the Tibetan plateau (November to March). The lone Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is Gangtey Goempa (Monastery). Spend the night at your Phobjikha hotel.

Day 9 : PUNAKHA - PARO

Punakha Dzong, also known as the "Palace of Great Happiness," was constructed in 1637 by the Shabdrung, also known as the "Unifier of Bhutan." It serves as the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who relocate in large numbers from Thimphu to this warmer location. It is located at the junction of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers). 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. Extensive murals illustrating the Buddha's teaching are painted on the inside walls. The coronation of Bhutan's first monarch took place here in 1907.

Visit the 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kuenly, also known as the Divine Madman, after lunch. As a result of his uprising against the prevalent orthodox Buddhism, he gained the moniker "Divine Madman." He is revered as a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples seek blessings at his shrine. then make your way to Paro. Spend the night in your Paro hotel.

Day 10 : PARO

Trek to Taktsang Monastery after breakfast. You ascend almost a kilometer above the Paro valley bottom on the 1.5 to 2-hour journey (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the cafeteria). 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. Before heading back to Paro for lunch, you can stop at a teahouse nearby for some refreshments. Afternoon drive to the Drukgyel Dzong ruins, which were constructed in the 17th century to honor a victory 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 the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, on the way back to Paro.

Alternatively, day 10 could be used to take a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of Bhutan's most beautiful regions. Haa Valley is accessible by the stunning Chelila Pass and is distinguished by the surrounding rocky, alpine landscape.
Spend the night in your Paro hotel.

Day 11 : Leave PARO

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport to catch your flight to the next location.