Day 1: Arrive Paro from Bangkok
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains , including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan . On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will attend the Paro festival, which is performed by local people and monks. This is the only time of the year that the families get together and come out with their best dress to witness the festival. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro attend festival
Attend a second full day of the Paro festival. In the evening you can explore Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 3: Paro attend festival
Attend a third full day of the Paro festival . If you get up at 3:00 a.m. and head to Paro Dzong, you will be able to see the unfurling of the Thongdrol (a giant appliqué art) with the procession by monks and lamas. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 4: Paro to Thimphu (2-hour drive)
After breakfast you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fort), National Museum (former watchtower), Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest monastery), and Drukgyal Dzong (victory Dzong). After lunch you will drive to Thimphu . In the evening you can explore Thimphu , the capital of Bhutan , and visit the weekend market. Overnight hotel in Thimphu .
Day 5: Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit King's Memorial Chorten, Changgangkha Monastery, National Zoo (contains the national animal, takin), Nunnery Temple, School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Traditional Paper Factory, and Majestic Tashichhodzong. Overnight hotel in Thimphu .
Day 6: Thimphu to Wangdue (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangdiphodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas . After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan , and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple. Overnight hotel in Wangdiphodrang.
Day 7: Wangdue to Trongsa (5-hour drive)
You will begin the day by driving to Gangtey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gangtey village, where you'll visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan . From Gangtey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjikha Valley , the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La. You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.
Day 8: Trongsa to Bumthang (3-hour drive)
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. In the evening you can explore Bumthang town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 9: Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit Jakar Dzong (fortress), Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan), Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print), Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings), Short hike to Thangbi Monastery, Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 10: Bumthang day hike to Tharpling Monastery (5-6 hour round trip)
Today you will hike to Tharpaling Monastery. You'll begin the hike in the morning, since this is a fairly lengthy hike--about three hours to the monastery. It's a picturesque trail through the forest. The monastery itself is somewhat large, with several temples, and about 100 monks live in the nearby huts. From the monastery, you will have a beautiful view of Chumey Valley , and you can have a relaxing lunch while you take in the scenery. In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 11: Bumthang to Wangdue (7-8 hour drive)
You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangdiphodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight hotel in Wangdiphodrang.
Day 12: Wangdue to Thimphu (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Thimphu . After lunch, you will tour the Textile Museum , the Folk Heritage Museum , and the National Library . Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 13: Thimphu to Paro (2-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Paro. In the afternoon you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan 's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley . The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. In the evening you can explore Paro town and visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 14: Depart for Bangkok |
