Day 1: The charming valley of Paro
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 visit the following places:
National museum
Beautiful displays rich in cultural and nature history of Bhutan. You will have a good introduction on Bhutan.
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. Original Paro dzong was built in 16th Century but brunt down by fire in 1907 and was rebuilt in the same year with the same architectural design.
Hike down to the wooden bridge and free time in the town.
Day 2: Takshang and its temples
Bhutan’s most scenic icon and important place for pilgrimage and refuge for over 1200 years the Takshang or the Tiger’s nest clings 900 meters on the steep cliff over Paro valley. It is the highlight of the most of the tours and most visited temple in Bhutan. The total hike will take about 4hrs.
Overnight hotel
Day 3: The capital with no traffic lights
On the way to Thimphu, stop at Ta- chhogagang temple and hike down to the 14th 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 4: Tango Buddhist University
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 5: Dochula pass and the rice fields of Punakha
En route stop at Dochula pass 3150m to enjoy the panorama of the Bhutan Himalayas. Spend sometime 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 6: The valley of rare Cranes
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 7: Chendepji and the tower of 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 8: Yathra villages
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.
Free time the town
Overnight hotel
Day 9: Heart of cultural
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
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 10: Paradise for Birds
This is the most beautiful drive in the country. On the way stop at the picturesque village of Ura. Most of the inhabitants are lay monks and lay nuns. The head lama of the village is said to be hereditary.
Stall for a while in the village. The drive towards the Thrimshingla pass 3700m, is beautiful with its panorama of snow capped mountains and beautiful landscape.
The road was blasted out of sheer cliffs with a guard- railed edge that drops clear out of sight. You will be driving through the beautiful landscape, high water falls and remote villages. This area is also one of the hotspot for bird lives.
Overnight hotel
Day 11: Ancestor home of the kings
The father of the first king came from this region. It is also the home of the most famous and expensive textile called Kushetahra. Follow left side of Kuri Chu River, through the villages of Menji and Tangmachu to Lhuentse. Upon arrival in Lhuentse visit the Lhuentse dzong and explore the village at the side of the road. On the way back, visit Khoma village known for its textiles woven out of pure silk.
Visit Mongar dzong and stall around the town in the evening.
Overnight hotel
Day 12: Zig – zag of Yedi
Drive towards Korila pass at 2400m. Stop at the pass for few minutes and descend to the village of Yedi. From Yedi, you will be descending through the famous zig- zag road of Yedi. Stop on the way to see the fabrication of lemon grass oil. The grasses are grown wild on all the mountains of east. It is one of the cash incomes for the farmers.
Visit Trashigang dzong in the evening. Free time in the town.
Overnight hotel
Day 13: The raw silk villages
Drive towards Radhi and Rungjung. Visit the village the monastic school founded by Garab Rimpoche. Continue towards Radhi and Phomey villages. You can visit some farmhouse to interact with the local people.
Stall around the town in the evening.
Overnight hotel
Day 14: Wild tea of Narphung
On the way stop at Kanglung collage and visit near by temple. Visit the Khaling weaving centre founded by National Women Associations. It trains Bhutanese women in weaving.
You will be driving through the beautiful landscape and villages.
Starch your legs at the village of Narphung. This village is famous for home made tea. It is very good for making butter tea. After the Narphungla pass at 2200m, you will plunge through the dense sub- tropical forest to Samdrupjongkhar.
Overnight hotel
Day 15: Assam tea and Burmaputra River
The border is few minutes away from the hotel.
In India, you will be driving through the famous tea garden of Assam. Stop at the Indian immigration for your visa.
You will be crossing the Brahmaputra, longest river in India before reaching the cross road to the airport and the town.
