Day 1: November 7th Arrive Paro – Thimphu
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver, who will be accompany you throughout the tour.
After that, we will gradually start with the tour and drive towards Thimphu (capital city, 1hr drive).
On the way, we will stop for a short sightseeing at Tamchog lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint from Tibet called Thangtong Gyalpo in 13th century.) Then we will be moving directly towards the capital.
After reaching there, we will then start our sightseeing by first visiting the Buddha Point (one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 54 meters (177ft) and contains 100,000: 8-inch-tall and 25,000: 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddha.)
Then you will visit the Memorial Chorten (built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated to World Peace.)
Lunch will be at a local restaurant to experience the traditional style Bhutanese cuisine.
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles museum)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Day 2: November 8th Thimphu Sightseeing
Today we will be visiting the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress to ever build in the country by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal) Legend says that it was built to imprison a demon that was terrorizing the junction of the eastern and western path. The first fortress of its kind, it features beautiful Buddhist paintings and carvings.)
Changangkha Lhakhang (It was first built by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo(12-13 century) the founder of Drukpa Kagyu school in Bhutan.)
Takin Preservation Centre (located in the Mothitang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan.)
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage.
National Institute of Zorig Chusum; (Commonly known as ‘the painting school’, operates four to six years courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts.)
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory; you will witness the art of papermaking. Craftsmen demonstrate how Deh-sho paper is made using the bark of two local tress species. Buddhist monks use Deh-sho to write prayers and for woodblock printing.
Centenary Farmers’ Market is where most of the locals gather near the river where there is a farmer’s market every weekend. Villagers from the nearby village come here to sell agricultural products and handmade crafts to the locals.
Day 3: November 9th Punakha & Dochula pass Sightseeing
Today you will be driving to Punakha district (the old capital of Bhutan till 1985). In the morning you will be driving pass the Dochula Pass (Elevation 3100 m) there you will stop for a short sightseeing for about 30 minutes. Then you will drive down at the elevation of 1300 m and reach Punakha.
Before Punakha, you will first visit the Chimi lhakhang (Temple of the famous saint mad man Drukpa Kinley)
Then have a lunch at a local traditional restaurant.
Punakha Dzong (also known as Punthang Dechenphodrang, Legend says that Zhabdrung made the carpenter trulpizow balep made to sleep in chamber and he had been taken to paradise /zangto pelri of Guru Rinpoche and he got at the sketch and the model of the dzong.)
Visit to the long suspension bridge in Punakha.
Day 4: November 10th Gangtey/Phobjikha
After breakfast, today you will drive to Gangtey. (It’s a beautiful vast U-shape valley which is a winter residence of the famous endangered bird called “The Black Necked Crane”)
Before that, you will first go for a short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Built by the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. This beautifully designed chorten took nine years to complete, using only religious scriptures to construct the four- story temple. Have to hike for 40minutes through the paddy fields and vegetable fields, into the chir pine forest.
Have Lunch at Lobesa/Gangtey.
Now driving to Gangtey will take around 2hr 21mins. After reaching Gangtey, you will first visit Gangtey Gonpa or Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism built in 17th century.)
Nature Trail, walk around the Phobjikha valley.
Day 5: November 11th Black Necked Crane Festival
Today after breakfast, you will go and witness the Black Necked Crane Festival.
Day 6: November 12th Trongsa
Drive from Gangtey to Trongsa over Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range.
En-route visit the beautiful Chendebji Chorten, erected in the 18th century.
The imposing Trongsa Dzong can be viewed across a deep canyon to signal your approach to the town around a curving road. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty.
After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan. The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see across the landscape for many miles.
Also visit the Ta Dzong museum housing an incredible collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family.
Day 7: November 13th Lobesa
Today after breakfast, you will then start your journey to Lobesa and halt a night there.
Day 8: November 14th Paro
Today after breakfast, you will then start your journey to Paro. Upon reaching there, you will then visit the National museum / Ta Dzong / Watch tower. (Ta Dzong actually means a watch tower to look after the province of Paro valley and served as a regional administrator as well as a store house which would ensure supplies in the event of warfare.)
Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (It was built by Gyalchog (brother of Gyalzom) the family of lama Pha Dung Dung in 15 centuries. He surrendered himself to the local deity Jawang Nep and built a 5 storied building and named as Hungrel Gampo.)
Day 9: November 15th Tiger’s Nest
Today you will be visiting the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro, the Tiger’s Nest. The cave on the rock was there before 750 million years ago during the formation of the earth. It was only known after the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in 746 A.D.
Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. The first temple was built by a 1st Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7th century). Then you can also visit the Late Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche’s Museum next to Kichu Lhakhang.
Day 10: November 16th Departure from Bhutan
Our guide and driver will bid farewell to you all and have a pleasant flight back home. We will be looking forward to seeing you again in future for another place to tour around.