Day 1 : Arrive Paro by Flight & transfer to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1 hour & 15 minutes drive)

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offersfascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas ; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left Tschogang Lhakhang, ‘the temple of the excellent horse’. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.

On arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 1,00,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Late afternoon visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang); A place for refreshing with a huge statue of Buddha on the top of the Kuensel Phodrang. The area also gives a very good view of the Thimphu valley from the west.

Then an exploratory walk around Thimphu city centre. Also visit the Local Crafts Bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, interesting items made from local materials.

Evening drive around Thimphu valley after the dusk once the lights are on, capturing the nights view of some of Thimphu’s prominent monuments.

Day 2 : Thimphu

Visit the National Library, which has a vast collection of precious Buddhist manuscripts, and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (also known as the Painting School), where students take a 6-year training program in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts, among other places, after breakfast. Visit the Textile Museum later to learn more about Bhutan's most distinctive art form. Visit Simply Bhutan as well, a studio and living museum showcasing the rich cultural legacy of the Bhutanese people.

Drive to Sangaygang View Point (2685 meters) after lunch for a panoramic view of the entire Thimphu Valley and to stroll among thousands of colorful prayer flags that line the hillside atop the valley.

The Takin Reserve Center after that. Here, the takin, Bhutan's national animal, may be observed. Only the Himalayan region contains this specific animal.

Following on the agenda is Changangkha Monastery. This monastery is perched atop a hill with a view of the valley of Thimphu. In the fifteenth century, Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo constructed it. Many Thimphu parents bring their newborn children to this monastery to receive a high lama's blessing.

Visit the King's Memorial Chorten afterward. People are constantly circling it while chanting and turning their prayer wheels. His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, known as "the father of modern Bhutan," the third monarch of Bhutan, had the idea to build this landmark as a tribute to world peace and prosperity. It was finished in 1974, after his tragic death, and it serves as both a monument to peace and a memorial to the Late King.

After seeing Trashichhoedzong, end the day. The Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King, and different government departments are all housed in this majestic fortress/monastery. Additionally, it serves as the central monk body's and chief abbot's summer residence.

Day 3 : Thimphu to Gangtey (150km, approx 5 hours & 30 minutes drive)

After breakfast drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

At Dochula Pass,108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty five chortens, the second has thirty six and the top layer has twenty seven, built around the main chorten. Then drive further en route visiting Rinchengang Village, a small clustered village in Wangduephodrang, on a hill opposite to where Wangduephodrang Dzong was built before. It is about 20 minutes hike uphill from the nearest road. After lunch, drive onto Gangtey, passing through dense forests of oak and rhododendron tress.

The valley of Gangtey, is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, and is an extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valleys are tightly enclosed. A few kilometers beyond the Gangtey Monastery, on the valley floor lies the fascinating valley of Phobjikha.

Day 4 : Gangtey, Punakha, and Wangduephodrang (85km, approx 3 hours & 30 minutes drive)

Drive to Punakha in the morning after breakfast. Punakha, which is located at an elevation of 1300 meters (4265 feet), enjoys a temperate environment, and the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers naturally drain this valley, which results in an abundance of crops and fruits. Up until 1955, Punakha was the nation's capital, and it continues to be the location of the monk body's winter residence.

Visit the Punakha Dzong later in the afternoon. Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 to serve as the region's religious and administrative center at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, has had a significant impact on Bhutan's history. The Dzong has been completely repaired by the Fourth King after suffering damage from four devastating fires and an earthquake.

Later, set out on a brief but worthwhile walking tour to Chimi Lhakhang: This temple is devoted to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century employed humor, songs, and wild behavior to dramatize his teachings and who as a result became known as the "Divine Madman." It is located on a mound in the middle of the valley. This lhakhang is often referred to as the fertility temple. It is a common belief that if a couple prays at this temple and expresses a desire for a child, they will typically be blessed with a child fairly shortly. Wangduephodrang, which borders Punakha and is known to the Bhutanese as Sha or "east," is a key entry point to the country's remote regions. Wangduephodrang was instrumental in bringing together the western, central.

Day 5 : Punakha & Wangduephodrang – Paro (125km, approx 4 hours & 30 minutes drive)

After breakfast, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams this impressive structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangkha painting.

Then drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley.

En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching. This oldest dzong of the country built in 1627, now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.

Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as watch tower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Evening take a stroll around Paro main street, exploring its local shops and market area.

Day 6 : Punakha & Wangduephodrang – Paro (125km, approx 4 hours & 30 minutes drive)

After breakfast, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams this impressive structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangkha painting.

Thimphu – Phuentsholing road was built in 1962 by Dantak, the Indian Border road organization and it is a fascinating drive with numerous scenic spots en route.

Then drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley.

En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching. This oldest dzong of the country built in 1627, now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.

Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as watch tower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Evening take a stroll around Paro main street, exploring its local shops and market area.

Day 7 : Paro

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (approx. 5 hours round trip walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Later in the afternoon, drive to the base of Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, “mountain of goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. Nearby visit a traditional farm house, which offers deep insight into lifestyle of local people especially the village folks.

While returning to the hotel, along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Day 8 : Depart Paro

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.