Our trip coincides with a festival in western part of Bhutan under Paro district at Paro Dzong. At this Paro Festival, Mask Dances are performed by both monks and lay person in brilliant costumes re-enacting the legendary events, accompanied by blaring horns, booming drums, and clashing cymbals as they whirl and leap around the courtyard. During the intervals, young women in their best of dress perform the folk dances that they believe is another way of offering which enables them to receive blessings and earn good karma.  Crowds of people gather in their finest hand woven dress, brightly patterned cloth for which Bhutan is renowned, creating an intensely colorful and exciting atmosphere that had remained unchanged in its traditional purity for centuries. Local people attend this festival to be blessed and to earn good karma and are also an occasion to see people and to be seen.

This trip allows the travelers to enjoy the daily lives of friendly Bhutanese people by visiting villages, temples, monasteries, and gigantic fortresses. It gives you a chance to meet people, enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts. We would be traveling through the less frequented areas of Bhutan. Our journey starts from Paro Valley where our flight from Bangkok will land and continue by road through the lush valley of Thimphu to attain the ongoing festival called Tse-chu and to Punakha.  Continue our overland journey to the enchanting valleys of Trongsa and Bumthang, which played a key role in influencing Bhutanese history, culture and religion. In the Bumthang valley we spend three nights for visiting Ura valley that gives you the medieval atmosphere.  And then to Phobjikha valley, a winter habitat to the rare black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibetan plateaus in winter. This route will take us through the temperate zone with great biodiversity, ranging from lush forest of conifer, rhododendron and magnolia to orchid draped oaks, banana trees and cactus plants. During clear weather, the high passes we cross, provides spectacular views of high snow capped peaks that go up to 25,000 feet.  There will be ample opportunities to interact with the friendly people of Bhutan and learn their philosophy of “GROSS NATIONAL HAPINESS”.

DAY  01                 APR 03^rd     ARRIVE PARO BHUTAN & ATTEND FESTIVAL:
Fly to Paro on Druk Air. From a 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 drive to your hotel. Afternoon Lunch we will visit the ongoing festival.
 

DAY  02              APR 04^th    ATTEND THE FESTIVAL & EVENING DRIVE TO THIMPHU              SIGHTSEEING OF THIMPHU VALLEY:
FLIGHT  TIME 2:20 hrs
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
After early 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 Taktsang monastery situated at 10,000 feet. 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, and visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armor and rare stamps.

Evening drive to Thimphu, which will be approximately 1.5 hrs drive. Thimphu is situated at an elevation of  2500 meters / 8200ft. Depending on time we will have sightseeing around the capital city. Overnight at hotel in THIMPHU.
 

DAY  03                 APR 05^th    THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING:
Visit King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns), National Library, the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas ( sacred Buddhist religious scrolls), and the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. After lunch you will visit Lungtenzampa to observe the traditional silver smiths plying at their crafts and tour the Bhutanese traditional paper factory. Return back to town to visit the handicraft stores and stroll around the tiny capital city. Overnight at Hotel.

OPTION: If you are in Thimphu during Saturday and Sunday then the sightseeing will be

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 opposite 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, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Return to hotel for lunch, after lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Dupthop Lhakhang (Monastery for the nuns) and other places of interest.
 

DAY  04                 APR 06^th    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
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Continue our drive downhill from the pass through a high altitude broadleaved forest with the views of the snowcapped mountain if weather permits.  We arrive at Lobesa, depending on time either we will have lunch before the walk or after. We take a short 45 minute walk to famous Chimi Lhakhang Temple situated on a small hill. 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.  

After we return from the walk we continue our drive north to visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, situated between Phochu and Mochu, this dzong is the most magnificent dzong of Bhutan and had served as the capital of the country in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Presently the Dzong is the district administration and judiciary office as well as the winter home for Bhutan’s spiritual leader Je Khenpo and the 600 monks of Thimphu and Punakha.  Overnight at hotel.
 

DAY  05                 APR 07^th   PUNAKHA – TRONGSA
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 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.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. 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. We will have our packed lunch here.  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. Arrive Trongsa and overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
 

DAY 06  APR 08^th    TRONGSA – BUMTHANG
TRONGSA : ALTITUDE : 7,259 feet / 2,180 meters
DISTANCE : 143 Kilometers / 89.38 miles
TIME TAKEN ; 6 hours driving
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 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.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. 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. We will have our lunch here.  Continue our 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. Arrive Trongsa and 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. overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
 

DAY  07                 APR 09^th     BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast we will drive to Ura village situated at 10,000 feet high above the sea. There is about 40-50 closely packed houses alongside cobblestone streets that give the village a medieval atmosphere. The drive to Ura takes about 2 hours, however we will stop at the Serthangla Pass, from where you can get the view of Ura Valley down below. We will start hiking downhill from here till we reach the Ura Temple. We will visit the temple and continue our walk through the clustered village of Ura making frequent stops to converse with the villagers, children and womenfolk that wear a ship skin on their back to protect from loads they carry. Our lunch will be served at a village house, after lunch we will walk towards the school and observe the young students of Ura engrossed in their lesson. We will then say goodbye to this beautiful village and drive back to Chamkhar for overnight at Hotel in Jakar.

DAY  08                 APR 10^th     BUMTHANG - PUNAKHA
After breakfast we will proceed on to the Punakha Valley. En route we will stop for pictures and leg stretch.

DAY   09                APR 11^th      PUNAKHA – PARO
After breakfast you will resume your journey to Paro, en route we will stop at Dochula Pass for Pictures. Upon arrival at Thimphu we will have lunch and final shopping or sightseeing, around 4 PM in the evening we will drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel.

DAY  10                 APR 12^th      DEPART PARO BHUTAN
Morning drive to Paro International Airport for departure to your onward destination.