Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Your flight descending over the final Himalayan ridge brings you to Paro International Airport, elevation 7500 feet. Your Druk Air experience has been highlighted with breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. You will be received by Travelers representative and tranfer to hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). On the way bac, visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels". Evening we visit Paro town, built in traditional architecture with rows of shops lining the main street. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro - Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu (2-hour drive) capital of Bhutan. Afternoon will be spent sightseeing in Thimphu including Memorial chorten, Changangkha Monastery, Traditional Medicine, Painting School and the majestic Trashichhodzong. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu - Wangdiphodrang
Drive to Wangdiphodrang (3 hour drive) across Dochula Pass (10,500ft). Enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Stop at Lobesa for lunch. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, the Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and Female River and the location is strategic. We will visit the fertility Temple Chime Lhakhang and in the evening tour the Wangdue Town. Overnight at hotel in Wangdue.
Day 4: Wangdiphodrang - Bumthang
After an early breakfast, we depart for Bumthang, the religious heartland of the country. Lunch will be served in Trongsa town. While in Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong. Continue drive to Bumthang through lush forests. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 5: Bumthang - Ngang Lhakhang (Trek begins)
After a hearty breakfast, we drive to embark on our wonderful trek to Ngang Lhakhang. Today we will hike for approximate five hours passing though villages, fields and forests and also crossing over suspension bridges. Our trek will follow the Chamkhar River. Here the trout are plentiful! Fishing anyone? We will visit Thangbi Lhakhang enroute before entering "Swan Land" (Ngang Yul). Here is "Swan Temple" (Ngang Lhakhang). Swans first inhabited this part of the valley. Overnight camp 9,500 ft (2,800M).
Day 6: Bumthang - Tang
Today a gradual climb to Phephe La Pass brings us to the highest point of our trek 12,000 ft (3,353M). The trail to the pass leads through one of the most beautiful forested areas of this region, with mini bamboo pasture, and forests of rhododendrons and mixed conifer. Our seven-hour trek today will allow many stops to enjoy nature's rare beauty. Overnight camp near Tang village in Tang valley. Enjoy a delicious Bhutanese meal prepared in camp.
Day 7: Tang - Bumthang (Trek ends)
Today we pass Ugyenchholing in Tang Valley. You will visit the Ugyenchholing Palace, now housing the Family Museum. Continuing from Ugyenchholing, we reach the Rimochen Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Guru Rimpoche, the Patron Saint of Bhutan. This is the last point in the trek route from where we drive on through Pangshing village to Jakar, Bumthang, stopping to visit farmhouse on the way. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang
Today we will tour in Bumthang. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Flaming Lake (Mebar Tsho). Dinner at traditional farmhouse and overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 9: Bumthang Ura Festival
Today is the first day of Ura Yakchoe in Bumthang. Overnight at Guest House in Ura.
Day 10: Bumthang Ura Festival
Morning attend Ura Festival and drive bac to Bumthang in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.
Day 11: Bumthang – Wangdiphodrang
Departing central Bhutan, we begin our drive toward the west. Stopping once again in Trongsa we will now visit the medieval Watchtower. The Watch Tower is located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong. Continue your drive to Wangduephodrang. Overnight at hotel in Wangduephodrang.
Day 12: Wangdiphodrang – Paro
Return to Thimphu. Visit the exceptional Textile Museum, featuring splendid fabric and exquisite Thangkas. Visit mini Zoo to see the National animal of Bhutan, the Takin. After lunch we depart for our hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Overnight at hotel in Paro. .
Day 13: Depart Paro
After breakfast, drive to airport for departure.
