Day 01 Flight to Paro, Bhutan (L/D)

Flight to Paro, Bhutan connects in Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi or Kolkatta (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal). Please, allow minimum a night in the gateway city before and after the trip for safe connection of your international flight. We will take care of your internal airfare reservation. Bhutan visa is also pre-arranged by us. Upon arrival at Paro airport, you are received by Highland Asia representative and transferred to your hotel.

Today after lunch, we will visit Dungtse Lakhang, a 15th century temple, which is believed to stand on top of head of an ogress that terrorized the locals. The temple has unique painting of the progressive stage of Tantric Buddhist philosophy and important deities of Drukpa Kagyu School. From here, we continue to the national museum housed at Ta Dzong-the historic fort that served as watch tower to guard the Rinpung Dzong. The national museum has rich collection of Buddhist scriptures, murals, Bhutanese textiles, crafts, armors and rich gallery of philatelic collection. From here, we descend to the impressive Rinpung Dzong that serves as the district administrative head quarter. The dzong is believed to have been built on the heap of jewels. Overnight in Hotel Ugyen Phendyeling or similar

Day 02 Hike Takstang Monasery (B/L/D)

Takstang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest is probably the most popular hiking and pilgrimage destination in Bhutan. The Monastery clings on a vertical rock face some 2,000ft/600m above the average ground level of Paro Valley.

Its steep uphill walking for about 2 hrs to Takstang Cafeteria and another 45 minutes to the monastery proper. Return trip is easier as it’s all downhill and takes about half the time than it takes the way up. Travelers with pulmonary issues and knee injuries are advised refrain from this hiking. Ponies with prior arrangement are available for ride up to the cafeteria but you should be able to do the rest of the trail and return trip down on your own.

As legend goes, Guru Pamasambhanva flew from Tibet to this site on a tiger’s back and subdued the demonic powers obstructing the path of Buddhism into Bhutan. We will stop in the cafeteria for refreshment drinks and gaze the monastery from here. Determined hikers will continue further up to the monastery for another 45 minutes for closer look and others will just return down from here. We will meet our transport at the trail head and drive to visit other sights of Paro.

We visit Drugyel Dzong-which now exists in ruins, was built to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over Tibetans. On a clear weather day, we can enjoy a good view of Mount Chomolhari from here. On the way back we will stop in Drugyel High School and meet the Bhutanese students and teachers and learn about the Bhutanese education system. We will also stop in a typical farmhouse and get an insight on the local lifestyle. If you are not already exhausted, we have still Kyichu Lakhang-a 7th century temple to visit, which is one of the 108 temples that King Songsten Gambo of Tibet miraculously built overnight !Overnight Hotel Ugyen Phendyeling or similar.

Day 03 Drive to Punakha and Wangduephodrang (B/L/D).

After breakfast, we leave for Punakha (4 hrs); the road follows Paro Chu and Wang Chu Rivers and pass by Thimphu-the capital city of Bhutan. As we leave Thimphu behind, the road climbs to Dhochula pass (Alt. 3010m/9872 ft.), where we will stop for lunch and enjoy panoramic views of the snow capped mountain. A group of colorful chortens and fluttering prayer flags above the pass are also the attraction of the pass. After the pass, the road descends through varying vegetation into semitropical lowland of Punakha and Wangdi valley. We check in hotel and after some rest, we leave for short hike to the chorten of the crown prince and visit the nearby villages. We descend on a different trail through Sonagasa (the King’s winter residence) and follow the Mo Chu River and end up at Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong was the former winter capital of Bhutan and till today, the central monk body moves to Punakha Dzong during winter. Punakha is among the most impressive dzongs of Bhutan and has elaborate biography of Buddha painted on its walls. Overnight Punatsangchu Cottages or similar

Day 04 Hike Chimi Lakhang and visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and drive to Phobjika Valley (B/L/D).

We check out hotel after breakfast and leave for Phobjika Valley. Near the village at junction road between Punakha and Wangdue, we take a short hike to Chimi Lakhang temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Because of humorous sexual interpretation and songs in his teachings, he was called “divine madman” and the temple got its nick name” fertility temple”. At about 18 km (11 miles) from Punakha, we stop to visit the prominent Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which was the second capital of Bhutan, until the power center moved to Trongsa after the rise of present Royal family. Onwards, the road passes through dense oak, rhododendron forests and arrive Phobjika valley in about 2 hrs. We visit the prominent Gangtey Gompa-the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region. Phobjika valley is also known for endangered black necked cranes which migrate from high Tibetan plateau during winter. Accommodation in Dewachen Hotel or similar.

Day 05 Drive from Phobjika Valley to Bumthang (B/L/D)

We bid farewell to the beautiful Phobjika Valley. The road gradually climbs the Black Mountain range and crosses Pele-la pass (3300m/10, 824 ft) where we will stop briefly to appreciate the panoramic views of the snowcapped mountains including Mount Jhomolhari. The road then drops to Trongsa-the hometown of the present rulers of Bhutan. We will have time to stop at Chendebji chorten- a large white monument said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here and other sites on the way to admire the serene beauty of the area. Leaving Trongsa behind, the road climbs to Youtongla pass (3425m/11234 ft)) and then descends to Chume, the first of the four Bumthang valleys. We stop at the roadside village of Zugney to see Yathra weavers at work. Yathra is a deep colored wool textile, a pattern typical to these parts of the country. We check in our lodge and time permitting, we will take some sightseeing of the valley (6-7 hrs). Overnight in Mipham or Mountain Lodge

Day 06-07 Attend the festivals of Bumthang (B/L/D)

We will join the locals to celebrate some of Bhutan’s most vibrant festivals-known as Tsechus. Tsechus are basically about presenting the biography of Guru Rinponche in series of mask dances performed by monks and lay people. The festivals, celebrated at Dzongs and temples, also ensure happiness, good harvest and prosperity of the village dwellers. People come out in their finest dresses and jewelries and picnic with delicious food and liquor. We will also have time to tour the ancient temples, and visit local yathra weaving workshops. Overnight in Mipham or Mountain Lodge.

Day 08 Drive from Bumthang to Trongsa (B/L/D)

We retrace drive across Yotongla pass and descend into Trongsa, which takes about 3 hours. In the afternoon, we visit the historical Trongsa Dzong- one of the largest and the most impressive of all Dzongs in Bhutan. The Dzong is also the site of emergence of monarchy in Bhutan. We will also visit Ta Dzong –the former watch tower turned to a temple dedicated to Jigme Namgyel, father of the first King of Bhutan. Overnight in Yangkhil Resort.

Day 09 Drive from Trongsa to Thimphu. (B/L/D)

Leaving Trongsa behind, the road climbs and crosses the Black Mountain range at Pelela pass (3,300m/10, 824 ft.) and drops to the valleys of Punakha and Wangdi. We will stop here for lunch and we continue further across Dhochula pass (3,100m/10, 168 ft) and then the road drops gradually down to Thimphu-the capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu-probably is the smallest of all the Himalayan capitals and the only capital in the world without traffic lights! Time permitting, we will take a short stroll of the town and visit King’s memorial chorten. Overnight in Yangkhil Resort (Approximate 6 hrs drive)

Day 10 Explore Thimphu (B/L/D)

Exploration of Thimphu begins from its colorful week-end market where farmers from far away come to sell their fresh produce. We will also attend the archery matches nearby grounds, if they are at progress.The major sights of interest in Thimphu are school of traditional arts and crafts, the heritage museum, textile museum, handicraft workshops, traditional handmade paper factory, a nunnery at Zhilukha, Trasicho Dzong, Zangtopelri Temple, Simtokha Dzong etc. We may or may not cover all the sights today due to time and also depending on your interest. Hiking enthusiasts can also take some short hikes in the suburb of the town. Overnight in Zhumolhari or Pedeling Hotel.

Day 11 Drive to Paro via Haa Valley (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, we leave for Paro. About 20 miles from Thimphu at Chuzom, we take the road in the left that leads us to the lesser known Haa Valley ( 78km/49 miles). We explore the pristine areas of the valley, hike the hamlets and visit the ancient monasteries. Haa valley has also royal connection as the Queen Grandmother hails from Haa Valley. Haa valley is surrounded by forested hilly slopes with narrow valley floor with millet, barley and potato fields and beautiful farmhouses with intricately colored wooden cornices and ornately carved windows. For the return, we take different route via Chelila ( 3810 m/ 12, 497 ft.) pass which is about 26 km (17 miles) from the valley floor. The pass offers spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains including Mount Jhomolhari, Haa Valley in the south and Paro in the north. From the pass, we descend and join the main highway at Bondey ( 35km/ 22 miles) and another 3 miles drive brings us to Paro.We check in hotel and take rest for the day.Overnight in Ugyen Phendyeling Resort or similar

Day 12 Departure (B)

We have completed the journey of our lifetime. After breakfast, our guide and driver will bring us back to the airport for our flight to next destination.