Arrive Paro International Airport / Transfer to the capital city Thimphu (2334m)

National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་། - After receiving you at the Paro International Airport, our guide and the driver will escort you on your first adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of the Paro district) was established in 1968. It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. We will then drive to Thimphu, the capital city.

Thimphu - Thimphu is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country. Arriving in Thimphu, our guide will assist you to check into the hotel so that you can relax for a while and then have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine for lunch.

Bhutan Postal Museum - After lunch, visit the Bhutan Postal Museum in the heart of Thimphu town. Postal service in Bhutan was launched only in 1962 until which time communications and delivery of mails were done by messengers on foot (building of roads started from 1961) . The museum was established in 2015. Philatelic enthusiasts can find rich collection of stamps, stamp albums and First Day Covers. You may want to have stamps printed with your own photo. A bank is also located in the same complex so you can exchange your money into local currency Ngultrum (Nu.) if you want to.

If time permits, we can go and visit one of the weaving centers.

Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre - Weaving is an integral part of Bhutanese culture and tradition. You will see both men and women at work weaving some of the most intricate designs and sophisticated patterns of traditional Bhutanese textiles. Not long ago, it was common to see one member in the family weaving for the entire family.

Leisure time to explore the streets of Thimphu.

Sightseeing in Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha Valley (1200m)

Buddha Dordenma - Today, you’ll visit some prominent historical sites in Thimphu and then after lunch, transfer to Punakha valley. The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also promote peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues of the same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.

Changangkha Lhakhang - Located on a hilltop above the main town overlooking the valley below, Changangkha Lhakhang was built in 13th century by Lama Drugom Zhigpo who played an important role in early spread of the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism to Bhutan. His son, Nyima, extended and built many of the statues inside the temple which are invaluable national treasures of Bhutan. Apart from the magnificent statues and other holy scriptures, the temple also has Bum Gye Dring Due Sum (sixteen volumes of Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita) which is the original copy handwritten by Nyima himself. From here, we drive to visit the only animal enclosure in Bhutan, the Royal Takin Preserve in the northern outskirt of Thimphu.

Royal Takin Preserve - Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor) is the national animal of Bhutan. This takin preserve is the only animal enclosure in the whole of Bhutan. It initially started as a mini zoo where orphaned Takins were kept and later converted to a preserve and its enclosure expanded recently. These unique animals are usually found at an altitude ranging from 1,000 to 4,500 meters above sea level depending on the season and feed primarily on grasses.

National Institute for Zorig Chusum - The National Institute for Zorig Chusum where 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan are taught was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning the art skills to the youths. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as 1) Shing Zo (woodwork), 2) Dho Zo (stonework), 3) Par Zo (carving), 4) Lha Zo (painting), 5) Jim Zo (sculpting), 6) Lug Zo (casting), 7) Shag Zo (woodturning), 8) Gar Zo (blacksmith), 9) Troe Zo (ornament making), 10) Tsa Zo (bamboo work), 11) De Zo (paper making), 12) Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).

A traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant or at a similar one.

Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground - After lunch, we pass by the Changlimithang Archery Ground and witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. We then drive to Punakha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass.

Dochula Pass - About 45 mins drive from Thimphu, stop briefly at Dochu La Pass (3,150m/10,334ft) and enjoy spectacular panoramic view of some of the highest snow-capped mountains of Bhutan (weather permitting). This picturesque mountain pass was only a sacred site until 2004 when Her Majesty Grand Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck built 108 stupas adorning the pass. Continue driving to Punakha, the elevation drops gradually in a short period of time to a warmer subtropical valley at 1,200m from an altitude of 3,150m within an hour and a half.

Chimi Lhakhang Temple - About 11km before arriving in Punakha town, visit Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the “Temple of Fertility”. Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha about a 20-30 minutes walk through terraced rice fields and traditional farmhouses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 15th-century Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his obscene behavior and outrageous ways of cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. One of the relics of Chimi Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to couples who are unable to have children as it brings fertility giving them the ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”. We then drive to Namgay Zam Homestay in the village of Yusakha for overnight with the local family.

Punakha / Transfer to Trongsa in Central Bhutan (2200m)

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - After breakfast, you will go on a beautiful 2.5-hour round trip hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper-coloured mountains). It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.

It takes only about 20 minutes drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road point. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields and a short climb before reaching the chorten. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley. We return to the base and go to visit Punakha Dzong.

After the hike, descend back to the roadhead and drive to town for lunch.

Punakha Dzong - The historic Punakha Dzong was originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded the nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second-largest Dzong in Bhutan and is considered a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate woodworks and the architectural structure of the dzong display fine examples of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continue to influence Bhutanese architecture to this day. After lunch, we drive to Trongsa in Central Bhutan. The driving distance is 140km and takes approximately 4 hours.

Trongsa / Transfer to Bumthang Valley in Central Bhutan (2700m)

Trongsa - After breakfast, visit the largest fortress in Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong. Known as Choekhor Rabtentse Dzong, Trongsa Dzong was built in 1648 and holds a significant place in the history of Bhutan as it was from here that the ancestors of the Royal family of Bhutan emerged as the most powerful rulers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first and second hereditary Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat of power. There is a tradition that the crown prince must be invested as Trongsa Penlop (Governor of Trongsa) here at Trongsa Dzong before he ascends the golden throne of the King.

Full day exploring the valley of Bumthang

Bumthang / Transfer to Phobjikha valley (3000m)

Phobjikha Valley - After breakfast, transfer to Phobjikha valley following the same route via Trongsa. In Trongsa, you’ll visit the Thruepang Palace.

Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,845ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black-necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of the spring season. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared a protected area.

Gangtey Monastery - After lunch in Trongsa, we continue to drive to Phobjikha valley. Arriving at Phobjikha valley, visit Gangtey Monastery, the famous landmark in the valley. The 17th-century Gangtey Monastery is popularly known as Gangtey Gonpa (gonpa literally means “remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance). Founded in 1613, this is one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan. The monastery also has a monastic college where hundreds of monks study Buddhist philosophy for 9 years. An annual religious festival, Gangtey Tshechu, is held at this majestic monastery during autumn when the harvest season is just over. A series of dazzling sacred mask dances interspersed by Bhutanese folk dances are performed during this festival.

Gangtey Nature Hike in Phobjikha / Transfer back to Paro valley (2200m)

Kyichu Lhakhang - On arrival back to Paro, visit one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom, Paro Kyichu Lhakhang. Located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro, Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in his effort to build 108 such temples across the Himalayan region to subdue the spirit of a demoness that was causing obstruction to the spread of Buddhism.

Drive to Chelela Pass at 3900m and do a short hike to a Nunnery

Chele La Pass - After breakfast, drive to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable road point in Bhutan at an altitude of about 3,900m/12,800ft above sea level.

On a clear day, the mountain pass offers a grand view of surrounding Himalayan peaks, Paro valley and Haa valley. We can spend some time walking along the pass among the colourful prayer flags and enjoying the beautiful views around and appreciate the pristine environment. If you are interested, we can arrange a prayer flag hoisting activity for you. There are many types of prayers but this particular prayer flags called Lungta (Winder Horse) are traditionally hoisted to bring peace, harmony, ward off bad luck and clear obstacles on your path.

(OPTIONAL) From Chela La Pass, do a short easy 1-hour hike to the Kila Goempa Nunnery home to dozens of nuns. From there you can see an unobstructed view of Paro valley below. The driver will pick you up just below the nunnery and drive back to Paro valley and spend some leisure time around Paro town.

Hike to the famous Paro Taktsang and later visit a beautiful farmhouse

Paro Taktsang - Today after an early breakfast, you will hike to the famous 17th-century Taktsang Monastery popular known as the “Tiger’s Nest” and later in the evening visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisines. Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site Taktsang is perched on the 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Cafeteria). Horse riding on the way down is not recommended. The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. After lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, we descend back to the base and drive to Paro town.

Transfer to Paro International Airport

Paro International Airport - After breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport depending on your flight departure time. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell.

• All internal taxes for the services listed above
• Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan if you sustain injuries while in Bhutan
• All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers
• All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and light snacks
• Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide
• Entry fee for National Museum
• Twin-sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan
• Visa Fee & Processing. You’ll receive your e-Visa within 4-5 business days

• Travel insurance is highly recommended.
• International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
• Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
• Gratuity to guide and driver
• Emergency evacuation
• Guide speaking other major languages can be arranged for an additional fee.
• Any other expenses of personal nature
• All Entry fees except for National Museum