General Overview
Day 01: Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) - Transfer to hotel
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake will come into view. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your Bhutan representative, and then drive you the short distance to Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Paro valley sightseeing & hike to Taktsang Monastery - Thimphu.
After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari, can be seen the on a clear day from Drukgyal village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive to Shari to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up or hike to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. After lunch at the café walk back to the road point. After lunch at the cafeteria walk back to the road point. On our way back to the hotel we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century and then drive to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1½ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu sightseeing - Punakha
Morning drive to visit National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Art & Crafts School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) and also visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices and then depart to Punakha, leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Punakha – Gangtey - Wangdue
After breakfast drive through the small town of Punakha and view the Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu and then continue our drive to Gangtey, Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hill sides of Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains of Tibetan Plateau in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Later in the afternoon hike around the beautiful valley of Gangtey (Gangtey Nature Trail) and then we continue our drive back till we reach Wangdue. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Wangdue – Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast visit Wangdue Dzong, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. We make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu and then drive back to Thimphu via Dochola pass. One can also hike through the Botanical Garden of Docho la where one can see the different varieties of Rhododendrons, Magnolia, Cherry and other flowers in bloom (April & May months) and then continue your drive to Paro via Thimphu. Evening take a stroll around the street of Paro for the last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Paro - Departure (by Druk Air).
An early breakfast served at your hotel and then drive a short distance to the Paro airport where your Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.