ITINERARY

Day 1: 29th October 2019: Arrival in Paro and to the Capital of Bhutan

On the flight to Paro, you will be able to see some of the highest peaks like mt.Everest, Kenchenjanga, Makula and other high peaks such as Jomolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tserim Gang.
Receive by our representative and transfer to Thimphu
On the way to Thimphu, stop at Ta- chhogagang temple and hike down to the 15th century suspension bridge made out of iron chains. The greatest engineer and Buddhist poet called Thangtong Gyalpo or Lama Chazampa built it.
Visit the following places of interests in the biggest town in Bhutan
Painting school
It is the centre of learning for Bhutanese artists and crafts, depending upon one’s interest; one can specialize in any of the thirteen arts and crafts.
Zoo
See the famous national animal of Bhutan called Takins. Usually fond above 3000m, they are quite rare.
Handmade Paper factory
In the evening stall around the town and meet locals.
Overnight Hotel

Day 2: 30th October 2019: Thimphu and its charms (Thimphu)

Drive for about forty minutes and hike an hour to the famous Tango Buddhist University. The Tango temple dates back to 17th century and was built by the forth-temporal leader Gyltse Tenzin Rabgay. The present reincarnation of him resides and studies there. It has one of the finest paintings in the country. You will have an opportunity to interact with monks and learn about their lives and the Buddhism in general.
On the way back visit, visit the following places. Buddha point
It has the biggest sitting Buddha and the stunning view of the Thimphu town.
Textile museum
The visit to the museum is an introduction to the Bhutanese living arts.
Tashichhodzong
It houses central monastic body and the throne room of the king.
Overnight hotel

Day 3: : 31st October 2019: Over the beautiful pass (Thimphu – Punakha)

En route stop at Dochula pass 3150m to enjoy the panorama of the Bhutan Himalayas. Spend some time walking around and photographing the 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens. TDhis hill of 108 religious monuments in the middle of the pass reflects Bhutan’s spiritual and artistic traditions.
As you descend from the pass, you will observe dramatic changes in vegetation. At the lower elevations in Punakha and Wangdue, cacti, banana plants, poinsettias and other semi- tropical plants dominate the exotic landscape.
Continue your drive towards Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. Built in 1637 between the confluence of the Po chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river), this fortress monastery is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, the Je Khenpo or Head Abbot, and the central Monk Body comprising of over 350 monks.
Stop at Lobesa and take a short hike to Chhi- med (means no dogs) Lhakhang in the picturesque valley, to visit the temple of Bhutan’s foremost Saint, the Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popular known as the Divine Madman. In the evening hike to Rinchengang village for a beautiful cultural experience. Overnight hotel

Day 4: 1st November 2019: The black mountain ranges (Punakha – Phobjikha)

The drive will take you through the rich vegetation of Sha valleys and to the famous Black mountain ranges. It is the longest mountain ranges in the country. Visit the beautiful village and the Nyimapa School of Gangtey Gompa. This is the biggest Nyimapa School in the western part of Bhutan. Hike down to the valley with the stunning landscape and also called as the valley of the rare black necked cranes.
Overnight hotel

Day 5: 2nd November 2019: The tower of Trongsa (Phobjikha – Trongsa)

Day 5, 2nd November 2019: The tower of Trongsa (Phobjikha – Trongsa)
Transfer to Trongsa through a beautiful landscape. Stop at Chendepji stupa.
During the reign of the second king the village of Chendebji was used as the night halt along with his caravan of mules.
As you get closer to Trongsa, you will have a stunning view of Trongsa dzong with its watchtower behind.
Visit Trongsa Dzong, once the home of the royal families in summer. Built in 17th century, it is one of the most strategically located dzong in the country.
The Ta- Dzong or Watch Tower of Trongsa was converted to museum in 2008. The museum has about 244 items used over the years by the Wangchuck dynasty. It also displays the famous Raven Crown used by the first king. Overnight hotel

Day 6: 3rd November 2019: Beautiful valley of Chumey (Trongsa – Bumthang)

Drive towards Bumthang crossing over the Yotongla pass 3425m. Stop at Chumey and Zungney village know for its woolen and yak hair textiles called Yathra.
After lunch, visit the famous Jakar dzong and the old Wangdichholing palace.
Overnight hotel

Day 7: 4th November 2019: Old monasteries and temples (Bumthang)

Discouver the following places:
Jambay Lhakhang
Built by the king Tsongtsen Geombo of Tibet, it is one of the oldest temples in the country. The temple is dedicated to the future Buddha Myatriya or B
Kurjey Lhakhang
The word kurjey means body imprint. This is the place where the Guru Rimpoche came for the first time to Bhutan in 8 century and converted the local king and people to Buddhism. One can still see the cave where he meditated and left his body imprint.
Thangbi village and its temple
Tamshing Lhakhang
It has some of the rare and old paintings dating back to 15th century.
Stall around Bumthang town. Overnight hotel

Day 8: 05th November 2019: Festival and interaction with the locals (Bumthang)

Transfer to the beautiful Jakar dzong to attend the biggest festival of the region. You will witness the spectacular dances danced by the monks. Most of the dances date back to 14th and 15th century and it has been passed on from generations to generations. You will witness rare dances like Black hat dance and the Drametse Nga cham. You will meet the locals in their finest attires. You can take their pictures and can discuss with them. Overnight hotel.

Day 9: 6th November 2019: Over the mountains (Bumthang – Paro – 30 min flight)

Take a flight to Paro and depending on flight schedule visit the following places in Paro. National museum
The watchtower or the Ta- Dzong was built in 17th century to guard the Paro Rimpong dzong (fortress) below. It has the collection of rare stamps on display. It will bring the history from 6th
Paro Rimpong Dzong
Regal and imposing, dzongs are arguably one of the most distinct and important structures of Bhutan and are the architectural masterpiece and are as fascinating as their functions and beauty.
The original Paro dzong dates back to 17th century, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the man who unified Bhutan, but then it was burnt down in 1907 and was rebuilt in the same year with the same architectural design. Currently it is the head quarter of the district headed by the head administrator and the monastic body with about 200 monks.
Hike down to the bridge and drive to the town, stall around the town.

Day 10: 7th November 2019: Temple on the cliff (Paro)

After breakfast, drive 15 minutes to the starting point in order to hike to Takshang Monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”). Visited and sanctified by Guru Rimpoche, this place is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan world. Over the years, many great Buddhist masters have visited and mediated here. Later, in the year 1692 AD, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan built the monastery over the cave where Guru
Rimpoche and his consort Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal mediated. The monastic complex clings to the rock towering 800 meters above the valley (2950 meters above sea level).
After visiting the monastery, stop at the teahouse cafeteria half way down for lunch.
Overnight: hotel

Day 11: 8th November : Departure

Transfer to airport for departure