DAY 01 BANGKOK TO PARO:
Fly from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Paro, After lunch sightseeing of Paro Valley.

DAY 02 PARO SIGHTSEEING & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
After breakfast visit, Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Drive south and stop at the Taktsang Monastery view point, from here you will get birds eye view of the monastery. Continue your drive to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. Return to hotel for your lunch, after lunch the sightseeing will be in the Paro market and visit the nearby village to get insight of Bhutanese village life and other places of interest. Evening drive to Thimphu, the capital city. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 03 ATTEND THIMPHU FESTIVAL
After breakfast drive to the festival site and witness the ongoing festival. This festival is celebrated annually in fall in honor of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpochey and to commemorate his deeds. Both lay people and monks perform the dances of the Tsechu. The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities. The dances known as Cham, bring blessings upon onlookers, to instruct them in the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma, to protect them from misfortune, and to exorcise evil influences. Deities are invoked during the dances; through their power and benediction, misfortunes may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized. It is also a social gathering where the people rejoice together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewelry. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04 THIMPHU-PUNAKHA :
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding further to Punakha town we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Continue your drive to the hotel.

DAY 05 PUNAKHA - TRONGSA
After breakfast we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong ( fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong had served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for three hundred years. We will then start our drive to Trongsa, which takes about 6 hours.

We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang (1350m/4430ft). We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. The Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. A Lama known as Shida, in order to nail into the ground a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge, built this Chorten or Stupa in 18th century. We will have our packed lunch here. We will continue our journey towards Trongsa (alt. 2200m / 7220 ft). 19 Kms. / 12miles before arriving Trongsa you will begin seeing the view of the majestic Trongsa Dzong, which sits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view kind of teases you, making you wonder when you will arrive there. Overnight at Hotel in Trongsa.

DAY 06 TRONGSA – BUMTHANG
After breakfast we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. Next we will visit Taa Dzong, the ancient watchtower, overlooking the Dzong and the town. We will than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey, we will visit Domkhar Palace, this palace was used as the summer residence of 2nd king Jigme Wangchuk. Lunch will be served here in the open ground. We will make another stop at Tsungney village, where we will observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Continue our drive for an hour and arrive at the Chokhor Valley. Overnight at Lodge.

DAY 07&08 ATTEND FESTIVAL AND SIGHTSEEING OF BUMTHANG
The fourth Shamarpa of Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism founded the Thangbi Temple located in the middle of a wide fertile plateau overlooking the river in 1470. It takes about 30 minutes of walk from the road through the fields of buckwheat to reach the Temple. Thangbi Festival is a small village festival held annually after the harvest of Potato and buckwheat to be thankful for the good harvest. It is also the time to celebrate and to pray that all sentient beings are blessed by invoking the deities through the ritual dances that are performed.

Your second day in Bumthang valley will be a walking tour around the valley. A bumpa is an oblong-shaped lustral water vase and Bumthang means ‘the ground shaped like a bumpa’. The religious connotation of the name aptly applies to the sacred character of the region. It would be difficult to find so many important temples and monasteries in such a small area anywhere in Bhutan. Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys- Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. You will be visiting the valleys of Chumey and Choekhor. Your day will begin with hiking from your lodge to the temple of Jambay Lhakhang. It is said that, a Tibetan King known as Songtsen Gompo builds the main shrine in seventh century. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas. To overcome her and to consecrate the land he decided to build 108 temples. Jambay Lhakhang is counted one of them and is believe to be built on the demon’s left foot. Continue your hike to Kurjey Lhakhang, which is 20 minutes walk from Jambay Lhakhang. Kurjey is dedicated to Guru Rinpochey. He had meditated here and had left his body print in the cave. Thus, the temple is known as Ku-body and Jey-print. Continue your hike to Tamshing Lhakhang built in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains fundamental interest for the history of painting in this region and it is also, along with Gangtey Gompa in the Black Mountains, one of the only places where Pema Lingpa’s tradition of religious teachings still continues today. Your hike will continue to Kunchogsuem Lhakhang. Similar to Jambay Lhakhang, this temple is also believed to build in the 7th century. Your car will pick you up here and drive you to Baapalathang, stop here for few a minutes to visit the small apple juice and cheese factory. You will continue your drive to Chamkhar town. Stroll through the one street market and return to your lodge.

DAY 09 BUMTHANG TO TRONGSA
After breakfast we will drive back taking the same highway of day 5. We will have few stops en route for pictures. Upon arrival in Trongsa, stroll the small town and check into the hotel. After lunch we will drive south to visit Kungarabten Palace. This place had served as the winter palace for 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk. We can take a walk up hill to visit the nunnery, which houses over 70 nuns. Evening drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 TRONGSA - PUNAKHA
After breakfast you will resume your journey to Punakha from the same road you had come. We will have several stops for pictures or sightseeing if we had missed any during our incoming. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11 PUNAKHA - PARO
After breakfast resume your journey to Paro. Crossing Dochula Pass you will arrive at Simtokha dzong, visit the old fortress, now used as the Institute for traditional studies for lay men and women. Continue your drive to Thimphu, lunch will be served here. After lunch resume your journey to Paro, en route visit the 15th Century Tamchogang Temple. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 12 FLY BACK TO BANGKOK

Airfare Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok (Subject to change) $ TBA

Land Cost Includes: Twin sharing accommodation with full board (breakfast + lunch + dinner), all transfers as per the itinerary, English speaking guide, monument fees and govt. taxes.

Not included: Airfares to and from Bangkok, Bangkok – Bhutan – Bangkok (see the cost above), Visa fees, Excess baggage, laundry, phone calls, medical, insurance and any other expenses that are not mentioned above.

Note: This is a sample intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule numerous factors such as weather, tour conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc., may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the tour. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort and general well being.
RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.