Day 1 (8 February, Tuesday): Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative and transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit Paro Dzong, which was built in 1646, and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2 (9 February, Wednesday): Paro - Punakha
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, 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 at Dochula Pass, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way to 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, dedicated to Devine Madman, a man who was known for earthly sense of humour. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 3 (10 February, Thursday): Punakha - attend full day of festival
After breakfast, you will attend the festival in Punakha. Enjoy the celebration of the mask dances by the local people and the monks. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 4 (11 February, Friday): Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast, you will attend a half day of the Punakha festival. Later you will visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong and explore typical Bhutanese Wangdue town. In the late afternoon you will drive to Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 5 (12 February, Saturday): Thimphu
After breakfast, you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. After lunch, visit the Ntional Institute of Traditional Medicine and the Majestic Tashichhodzong. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 6 (13 February, Sunday): Thimphu - Paro
In the morning you can stroll through the weekend market and mingle with the local people-- this is perhaps a wonderful opportunity for the photography. After lunch you will drive to Paro and you will visit the National Museum, formerly the watchtower for the Dzong. In the evening you can explore Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 7 (14 February, Monday): Paro
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche (great spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse, in eastern Bhutan, to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 8 (15 February, Tuesday): Depart Paro
Your guide and driver will see you off at the Paro airport.
