Day 01: Arrive from to Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu 1 Hours 65 km
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives from Bhutan Festival Tours and then drive to Thimphu Capital City of Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel
Day 02: Thimphu Valley Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972.Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thankas (sacred Buddhist scrolls). Handcrafts shops: A wide assortment of colorful, hand woven textiles and other craft products is available for purchase at the government-run Handcrafts Emporium and many smaller crafts shops around/the town. Visit Zilukha Nunnery is housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray every day in the monastery. There are good views of Tashicho Dzong, Golf course and upper Thimphu. Visit Mini Zoo to see the Taking (Budorcas taxi color) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles a cow from back, a goat in from the front, and it continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal. Visit Paper Factory, Traditional papers were made from the Daphne plant, using simple methods. Like rice papers, these papers are said to last longer. Visit Sangaygang View Point (Telecom Tower) There’s a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside below the telecommunications tower (elevation 22685m), high above the town at the end of a road that branches off from the approach to the youth centre. The complex also houses the broadcasting studios of Bhutan television. Visit Tashichho Dzong the main Secretariat Building. This massive structure houses part of the Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Visit Buddha Point.Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Thimphu- Punakha-Gangtay
After breakfast drive to Punakha through Gangtay. En-route stop at Dochu La Pass, 10,000ft/3,048m to view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m. The road then drops down through varied –ever changing forest, finally emerging into the highly cultivated Punakha valley. Visit one of the most impressive Punakha Dzong or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang "Palace of Great Happiness" is located on the confluence of two rivers (Phochu and Mochu). It was built in 1637 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal and following the ancient traditions, it serves as winter residence for chief abbot (Je-khenpo) and the monks of Central Monastic Body, who returns to Thimphu in the summer. The building was damaged and rebuilt several times, due to flooding, fire and earth quake. It is one exemplary masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. After that continue drive to Gangtay overnight at hotel
Day 04: Gangtay-Bumthang
After breakfast visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery) the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. After that drive to Bumthang is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68km. journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400/11,155ft), and then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. From here it is about an hour to Bumthang, Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys chumey, Choekhor, Tang and URA, with altudes varying from 2,600. Overnight at hotel
Day 05: Bumthang Valley Sightseeing
After breakfast Bumthang valley sightseeing Bumthang, (2,600-4,500m/8.530-14,765ft) this lovely valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure- discoverers”) still linger in this sacred region. Visit Jambey Lhakhang: This monastery was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of 108 monasteries which he built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Its present architectural appearance dates from the early 20th century. Visit Kurje Lhakhang: Located further along the valley, Kurje Lhakhang comprises three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 against the rock face where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. The middle temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of the Guru’s body, and is therefore considered to be the most holy. The temple on the left was built in the 1990s by H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten wall. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang: located across the river from Kurje Lhakang, this temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Iinga, a re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava.There are very old religious paintings around the inner walls of the temple, which was restored at the end of the 19th century. Evening visit jakar Dzong: Constructed in 1549 by the great grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646, after the Shabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang valley, and also houses the regional monk body. Swiss Cheese factory. Overnight at hotel
Day 06: Bumthang- Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu en-route Stop at Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All five kings were invested as Tongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending the throne. The Dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Because of the dzong’s highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the Tongsa penlop was able to control effectively the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from here. After that continue drive to Thimphu lunch at Chendebji Chorten. When you are reach at Thimphu check in hotel. Evening walk around Thimphu Town. Overnight at hotel
Day 07: Thimphu- Paro 01 hrs 65 Km
After breakfast drive to Paro, In Paro visit visit Rinpung Dzong: The “fortress of the heap of jewels “was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong, Ta Dzong: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”). On account of their function, watchtowers are always round in shape. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang: This temple was built in early 7thcentury; this temple is one of the oldest in Bhutan built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gempo. Overnight at hotel
Day 08: Departure
After breakfast drive to Paro international airport for your departure.
