Bhutan is historically divided into three zones, the west, East and the central. We have designed this program to experience Bhutan from the historic west to the spiritual central valleys. Starting from the culturally centered valleys of Paro, Thimphu,  Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa and finally to Bumthang. During this trip we indulge ourselves in experiencing the enchantment of pure and exotic land, through its ancient fortresses, monasteries, and temples that dot the country side. Thanks to its isolation, small population, mountainous terrain, and the national religion of Buddhism, which stresses the sanctity of all life, Bhutan has protected its forests and wildlife. As a result, this tiny kingdom, in contrast to all of its neighbors, possesses the last truly intact, large-scale ecosystem in the Himalayas. Protecting not just nature but culture is a huge priority for Bhutan. The Bhutanese people constitute one of the most interesting and least disturbed cultures in the world. It is not uncommon to be engaged in discussion by passerby, or to be invited in for lunch by a Bhutanese family. The Bhutanese are often as curious about outsiders as tourists are about them. Over the course of our 10 days in Bhutan, we will immerse ourselves in the country's rich Buddhist culture and ancient traditions.

DAY  01          ARRIVE PARO & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
PARO ALTITUDE 7,600 feet / 2,280 meters
THIMPHU ALTITUDE 7,730 feet / 2,320 meters
DISTANCE PARO – THIMPHU = 54 kilometers / 33.75 miles time taken 2 hours

Fly from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air. From a left window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative and then start our two hours drive to Thimphu, the road winds along with the Paro River, until you arrive at the confluence of Paro and Thimphu River. From here we start north along the Thimphu River passing through paddy fields, villages and Apple orchards until we see the Capital City from a distance. We check in to our hotel, if time permits we will have sightseeing around Thimphu Valley. This will solely depend on the arrival time of the Druk Air. Overnight at Hotel Pedling or similar.
 

DAY  02          THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast visit Thimphu weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It’s an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best  - and cheapest – vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the week’s gossip. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous goods and handicrafts section. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple. Lunch well be served in one of the local restaurant in town, After lunch visit The Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). The Bhutan heritage Museum, a nineteenth century house, preserved to present the visitors, how middle class Bhutanese lived in the past. Next we will visit the National Library then drive to the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Rest of the day free for shopping in the capital city. Overnight at Hotel.
 

DAY  03          THIMPHU-PUNAKHA
PUNAKHA : ALTITUDE : 4,162 feet / 1,250 meters
DISTANCE : 71 Kilometers / 44.38 miles
TIME TAKEN ; 2.5 hours driving
ALTITUDE GAIN : 2,730 feet  & ALTITUDE LOSS 6,298 feet

After breakfast we will start our drive to Punakha early before the clouds come in and bloke the views of the Bhutan’s Snowcapped Mountain seen from the Dochula Pass. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (10,460 feet / 3,140 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,162 feet). We will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility; it is about one hour of round trip walk. lunch will be served here. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong (fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong was the capital seat of the Kingdom. Return to hotel, Overnight at Meri Puensum or similar
 

DAY  04          PUNAKHA – BUMTHANG
BUMTHANG : ALTITUDE : 8,591feet / 2,580 meters
DISTANCE : 214 Kilometers / 133.76 miles
TIME TAKEN ; 9 hours driving

We will have a heavy breakfast today as our lunch will be late and simple. The drive to Bumthang takes approximately 9 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna.  As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang, we take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.)  With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). From here we continue our drive to Chendebji Chorten, where we will make a brief stop. This Chorten or Stupa was built in 18th century by a Lama known as Shida, in order to nail into the ground a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many miles and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Continue our drive to Bumthang, crossing the Yotongla Pass and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey, we will make a short stop at Tsungney village, where we will observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Continue our drive for an hour and arrive at the Chokhor Valley, if time permits your car will drop you at the Chamkhar Bazaar, from where you can walk back to the hotel after sightseeing around the market. Overnight at Yu-Gharling Resort
 

DAY  05           BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast we will start our sightseeing around Chokhor valley. We begin our drive towards the Jambay Lhakhang temple through scattered and clustered villages of Jakar. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, built this temple in the 7^th century. From here we’ll begin our hike to Kurjey monastery, it is here, the great tantric saint Padmasambhava had meditated and subdues a local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Continue your hike north and cross the Chamkhar River over a suspension bridge and we will arrive at Tamshing Lhakhang. Terton Pemalingpa built this temple in 1500s. Drive back to hotel for lunch. After lunch visit Jakar Dzong which houses the main administration for Bumthang Valley. Our car will drop us at the junction of the road to Bumthang Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
 

DAY  06             JAKAR - TRONGSA
TRONGSA : ALTITUDE : 7,259 feet / 2,180 meters
DISTANCE : 71 Kilometers / 44.38 miles
TIME TAKEN ; 2.5 hours driving
ALTITUDE GAIN : 1,245 meters / 4,145 feet  & ALTITUDE LOSS 845 meters 2,814 feet

After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa which will take little more than 2 hours. Visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. After the visit the car will pick you and drive to Taa Dzong, the ancient watchtower, this tower had served as the watch tower in the ancient time, now it is turned into a beautiful museum dedicated to the Kings of Bhutan. We will then return to hotel. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
 

DAY  07          TRONGSA – PUNAKHA VIA PHOBJIKHA

After breakfast we will start our drive back towards west taking the same lateral highway from where we drove in. From Pele Pass we will take the left hand road to beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha. This valley is the designated winter home for 100s of endangered black-necked crane that migrate here from the Tibetan plateaus. This valley is also known for produce of best potatoes in Bhutan. From the Phobjikha Pass we will start walking downhill to Gangtey Monastery. If you enjoy the nature then this is a beautiful walk. If lucky you may encounter the precious Red Panda and many bird species. We will visit the magnificent Gangtey Monastery that overlooks the valley. This monastery has recently under gone a major renovation and has been built into a very magnificent Monastery. We will then resume our drive to Punakha, overnight at hotel.
 

DAY  08           PUNAKHA – PARO

After breakfast we will start our 5 hours drive to Paro, we will have several stops en route for pictures and leg stretch. We will have a brief stop at the Dochu La Cafeteria, if weather permits; we will be able to see the northern snowcapped mountains of Bhutan from here. Continue our drive to Paro. If time permits we will have sightseeing around Paro valley or rest of the day free for shopping, overnight at Dechen Hill Resort or similar.
 

DAY  09           EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY.

After breakfast our car will drop us at the starting point of the excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s lair). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike (if not tired) for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch we start our hike back to Paro valley, if time permits we will have some more sightseeing or a free day for more shopping in the small Bazaar. Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort or similar.  
 

After breakfast our car will drop us at the Paro International airport for our flight back to Delhi/ Bangkok/ Kathmandu/ Badhdora or Calcutta