Day 01 – B L D
Arrive Paro
Meet our representative at the airport and after completion of arrival formalities you will be taken to your hotel. Afternoon free for leisure. Evening visit to Paro market and town.

Day 02 – B L D
Paro
In the morning visit Ta Dzong, which was built in 1651 as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong, and since 1968 is home to the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artefacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Then walk down a short hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, the ‘Fortress of the Heap of Jewels’ built in 1646 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. It now houses the district administration offices and Paro’s monastic community.

After lunch, drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, its towering outer walls are still an imposing sight. From here on a clear day you will have a splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari. Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.

Day 03 – B L D
Paro|Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. About 7 km. before Thimphu, pause briefly to admire Bhutan’s oldest fortress Semtokha Dzong (built in 1627), rising up from a small hilltop on the right side of the road. It has a series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard.

The capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, is a lively place, an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. After lunch visit the National Memorial Chorten, built as a memorial to Bhutan’s third king, “the Father of Modern Bhutan”, and as a monument to world peace. Then proceed to Tashichhodzong, “the Fortress of the Glorious Religion”, which is situated by the Wang Chu and Thimphu’s most impressive building. It houses His Majesty’s secretariat, some ministries, and also the central monk body during the summer months. Later in the afternoon you will see the Handicrafts Emporium, which carries a wide range of hand-woven textiles and craft products.

Day 04 – B L D
Thimphu|Punakha
Morning sightseeing in Thimphu includes visits to the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature including many ancient Buddhist texts in block-printed format, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, the National Textile Museum and the outside of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where herbal medicines are made up and dispensed and traditional medicine practitioners are trained. After lunch drive to Bhutan’s former capital Punakha, stopping en route where you will enjoy breathtaking mountain views, then visit Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress.

Day 05 – B L D
Punakha|Wangduephodrang | Gangtey (Phobjikha)
After breakfast drive to Gangtey, on the way visiting the remarkable Wangduephodrang Dzong, stretched along a spur at the confluence of two rivers. Visit a local village house, to gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of the people. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, into the Phobjikha valley. In the evening, visit Gangtey Gompa.

Day 06 – B L D
Gangtey | Trongsa
In the morning explore Phobjikha valley. This is the chosen winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan Plateau.  After lunch drive to Trongsa, crossing the Pele-la pass at 3,300m.  In the evening visit Trongsa market.

Day 07 – B L D
Trongsa|Bumthang
Morning visit to Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and ancestral abode of Bhutan’s royal family. Built in 1647, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation.  Evening at leisure.

Day 08 – B L D
Bumthang
This area is home to many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, which contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings, then visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”. In the afternoon, we will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bhutan.

Day 09 – B L D
Bumthang|Thimphu
Visit Bumthang’s market, and set off on the 7 hour drive back to Thimphu, taking lunch en route at a famous restaurant in Trongsa town and a short break for tea/coffee in Wangduephodrang before proceeding on the final stage of the journey.

Day 10 – B L D
Thimphu|Paro
Free morning in Thimphu for shopping and leisure, then after lunch drive to Paro for an overnight stay.

Day 11 – B
Depart Paro
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.