DAY 01 (Mar 20th) ARRIVE PARO
Fly from Bangkok / Delhi / Kathmandu 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. After lunch, visit the ongoing festival of Paro. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02 (MAR 21st) PARO FESTIVAL & SIGHTSEEING OF THIMPHU VALLEY
Early morning visit the festival site and view the giant Thangkha (90’ X 70’) that is displayed from the roof of a four story building. This Thangkha embroidered in silk with the images of eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava is more then 300 years old. This Thangkha is displayed only before sunrise. Return back to hotel for your breakfast. After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns). We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the painting school where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the traditional Medicine institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal traditional silver smiths and Bhutanese traditional paper factory at work. We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 (MAR 22nd) THIMPHU-PUNAKHA
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, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding further to Punakha town we will take a short 30-minute walk 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. 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 had served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for almost 300 years. After strolling through the town of Punakha retire back to hotel.
DAY 04 (MAR 23rd) 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), 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 where Yaks are often seen grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. A Lama known as Shida, built this Chorten in the 18th century in order to subdue 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. We will continue our journey towards Trongsa (alt. 2200m / 7220 ft). 19 Kms. / 12miles before arriving Trongsa you will begin seeing the view of the majestic Trongsa Dzong, which sits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view kind of teases you, making you wonder when you will arrive there. Overnight at Hotel in Trongsa.
DAY 05 (MAR 24th) TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
It takes less than two hours to cover the 44 miles for a direct drive. We start with our packed picnic lunch through the densely forested winding road that rises rapidly through a series of hairpin bends until you arrive at Yotong La Pass (3400 meters / 11200 foot). From here the drive is down the hill until you arrive at Chumey Valley (average alt. 2700m / 8800 foot). Our first stop at Chumey will be to visit Domkhar Dzong, This small fortress overlooking the valley was once a summer Palace of the second King Jigme Wangchuk. Continue your drive to Tsugney village where you will see the traditional weaving of woolen fabrics. We move towards Choekhor crossing the Kiki La Pass (2900 meters / 9500foot). Once we arrive at Choekhor Valley (Valley of Dharma Wheel), the rest of the day will be free for you to explore the small town of Chamkhar on your own. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 06 (MAR 25th) BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys-Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. Sightseeing in the valley of Chokhor will involve walking almost throughout the day. Begin your hike from your Lodge to the Temple of Jambay Lhakhang through scattered and clustered villages of Jakar. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, built this temple in the 7th century. Your next stop will be Chakar Lhakhang, which was built in the 8th century. This House was a castle of the King Sindhu Raja who used to rule the Bumthang Valley. Continue your 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 you will arrive at Tamshing Lhakhang. Terton Pemalingpa built this temple in 1500s. Your final stop of the hiking will be at Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in 7th century. From here you will drive to the Apple and Cheese factory. Your next stop will be at the small town of Chamkhar. The car will drop you near the bridge from where you will stroll through the small half-kilometer town and return back to lodge.
DAY 07 (MAR 26th) BUMTHANG – TRONGSA
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa to visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong situated on a spur overlooking the Mangde River. After the Dzong if time permits we will walk to the hotel, which will take about 30 minutes. Lunch will be served here. After lunch we will drive south to Kungarabten Palace. This place had served as the winter palace for 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk. We can take a walk up hill to visit the nunnery, which houses over 70 nuns. Evening drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 08 (MAR 27th) TRONGSA – PHOBJIKHA – PUNAKHA
Today you will make your journey back from the same route you came in until after driving approximately 100-120 KMs (60-75miles) before reaching to Nobding. A road branches off on the left and goes for 13 Kms (8 miles) through a forest of oak and rhododendron into the broad Phobjikha valley alias Gangtey valley. Alt. 3000 meters (9,840 feet) where Gangtey Monastery is located. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and the valley floor is quite marshy in places. Phobjikha is also the chosen home of the rare back-necked cranes which migrates from the Central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. The other side of the pass that overlooks the valley is a realm of high-altitude dwarf bamboo, the favorite food of yaks.
The Gangtey Monastery, is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. A large village inhabited mainly by the families of the monk surrounds the monastery. Continue your drive to Punakha by returning on the same route and connect into the East West highway. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09 (MAR 28th) PUNAKHA – PARO
After breakfast you will start your journey to Paro, en route stop at Dochula Pass for a tea break and if weather permits, enjoy the panoramic view of Bhutan’s northern snowcapped peaks. Continue your drive to Thimphu, Lunch will be served here and you have few hours shopping before you continue your drive to Paro. Check in to your hotel and rest of the day free. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 10 (MAR 29th) PARO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, you will be guided to Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. Drive to Paro Teachers Training College, visit the institute and meet the Principal for any kind of query. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contain works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armor and rare stamps. Take a leisurely hike down to Rimpung Dzong. You will walk through a traditional covered bridge across the river to your waiting car at the valley floor and take you to the Hotel. If time permits, hike up the near by hill to get a panoramic view of the Paro Valley. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 11 (MAR 30th) EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY
After breakfast your car will drop you 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. Overnight at Hotel. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
DAY 12 (MAR 31st) FLY BACK TO BANGKOK |
The Bhutanese are fun loving people, they love socializing, attending festivals, joking, playing, flirting and consuming alcohol that help them to be in the spirit of celebration. Owing to their fun loving nature, throughout the country there are various kinds of festivals that are celebrated in different times of the year. Among these festivals, the most recognized and attended by the mass is Tsechu festival (Tse- Date Chu – Ten). This festival is celebrated to commemorate the great deeds of 8th century Tantric master Guru Padmasambhava. 
