Fly into Paro valley. Enroute on your flight, if the weather is clear, you will be treated with the massive views of the eastern Himalayan peaks, including Kanchenjunga (28,169 ft) – World’s third highest mountain and Bhutan’s holy mountain, Jomolhari (24,000 ft). Land into the enthralling Paro International Airport – the only international airport operational in the country. There’s a time to freshen up and have lunch before setting out to explore the Paro town. We will start off with the visit to the National Museum of Bhutan with excellent displays of all facets of the country’s rich cultural history; old costumes and battle dress, together with priceless jewelry and specimens of the kingdom’s unique flora and fauna are included within the museum. The winding road that leads up to the museum offers a good view of the Paro valley below. And then drive down to visit the fortress on the heap of jewels, Paro Rinpung Dzong. The Dzongs’ structure is vast and full of colors with monks strolling around and always up for cheerful greetings and photography. Talk to some of the monks you will meet here and know their life stories as an ordained monk. A few scenes from Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha (1995) were filmed here. In the past, Dzongs acted as strongholds, protecting the vale’s inhabitants in times of war against Tibetans and internal rebellions. Today, it serves as the center for administrative and monastic life and they also houses the offices of the local government and the resident monk body. Below the dzong, a traditional wooden- cantilevered bridge spans the Paro Chhu. Our car will pick us up and check us into the hotel. Trip Orientation by your Bhutan Trip leader over dinner.
Overnight: Janka Resort/Equivalent

Today you will take a flight to Bumthang from Paro International Airport – 35 minutes flight. Legend has it that throughout the Buddhist Himalayas there exist valleys hidden from the outside world. Sheltered and protected, together these regions could become the last bastions of traditional Tibetan Buddhism. Shangri-La in James Hilton’s Lost Horizons is based on this very idea. There remain few places more suited than Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, to stand as symbols of such ideals.

Jambay Lhakhang from where you will start the sightseeing on hike. Jambay Lhakhang is a fabulous temple built in the 7 th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, on the same dayKichu Lhakhang in Paro. This temple is believed to be pinning her left knee. The temple was later visited by Guru Rinpoche and later restored by Sindhu Raja after Guru restored his life force. It has been repaired and rebuilt several times over time. It’s the one place in the valley that feels truly ancient Twenty minutes walking distance from the temple you will reach Kurjey Lhakhang. This large, active and important temple complex is named after the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche was left in a cave when he is said to have meditated here in order to subdue the evil spirit of the valley who had sickened the local king to near-death. There are 108 chortens enclosed to the complex Further you cross over a suspension bridge spanning over the Chamkhar Chu you make it to Tamshing Lhakhang This Goemba (Temple of the Good Message) was established in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa Goemba in the kingdom. Pema Lingpa built the unusual structure himself, with the help of khandromas (dakinis), who are believed to have made sculpted many of the statues inside. On the inner walls are what are believed to be original unrestored images that were painted by Pema Lingpa, though there are even older paintings underneath. The temple is a heritage site today. Finally end your day with the visit to the Swiss Farm, Bhutan’s only commercial cheese factory.
Explore inside and free cheese tasting. Also try tasting the Panda beer produced by the Swiss Brewery!

Overnight: Yugharling Resort/Equivalent

Tang is the most remote of Bumthang’s valleys with not as much agriculture as the valley below, although in places where the soil is fertile and deep the Arcadian scenes are picture perfect. Terton Pema Lingpa the famous saint responsible for discovering many treasures as prophesized by Guru Rimpoche was born in this valley. The people of this valley raise sheep and at higher elevation, yaks. Enroute visit the Mebartsho or the Burning Lake from where Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have uncovered sacred texts and religious objects hidden by Khandom Yeshey Tshogyal, the Tibetan consort of Guru Rinpoche. Today this site has become one of the sacred pilgrim place for the devotees around the country. Ogyencholing Museum in Tang valley was restored in the 19 th century. Today it houses the Family Museum, a place that will transport visitors to another world and time. The visitors will view permanent exhibits recreated to capture the ambience of the lifestyle of the Trongsa Penlop (Governor) Tshokye Dorji and his household. It also serves as retreat for those engaged in religious history. Bhutan’s history truly unfolds here. We will drive back to Pema Choling Nunnery after lunch. The nunnery is a residential Buddhist community of 100 women and girls aged 12 – 60. Many of the women arrive at Pema Choling with little or no education, from families of farmers or road laborers. The center offers basic education, vocational training and the opportunity to pursue traditional Buddhist studies at the highest academic level. From here we will embark on the Bushman Trail Hike to Kharchu Dratshang in Chamkhar – 2 Hours beautiful hike through pine trees

Overnight: Yugharling Resort/Equivalent

Today morning we will drive to Kikila (3,300 m) from where we will begin our hike to Tharpaling Monastery. We will climb straight up the mountain for about 3 hours (depending on the pace of the group), through many vegetation zones, including rhododendron and dwarf bamboo and join the royal trail used by past kings. Eventually we will be walking along the ridge of the mountains and after two hours reach the ridge covered with prayer flags straight up above the monastery. The views from the top is amazing and breathtaking and you will feel the worth of hiking today. There’s a stupa of Longchen Rabjampa we will come across and then begin descending down to Tharpaling Monastery.
The principle part of the monastery was established by Longchenpa or Lonchen Rabjam (1308- 1363) amidst his self-oust from Tibet for a long time. Longchen Rabjampa was a noteworthy educator in the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. His significant work Seven Treasures, epitomizes the past 600 years of Buddhist idea in Tibet. Longchenpa was a basic connection in the transmission of the Dzogchen lessons. He was abbot of Samye, one of Tibet’s most essential cloisters and the primary Buddhist religious community built up in the Himalaya, yet spent the greater part of his life journeying.

Overnight: Chumey Nature Resort/Equivalent

This morning you will drive up to Kikila Pass (23,200 m /10,600 ft) and onwards up through rhododendrons and bamboo forests over Yutongla (3,425 m / 11,300 ft) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa – 2 ½ Hours driving distance. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Afternoon visit the Ta Museum housing a collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family.

Drive further westward bypassing the beautiful Chendebji Chorten below the highway and climbing up to Pelela (3,390 m / 11,200 ft) and reaching Lawala Pass (3,200 ft 10,600 ft) you may stop to enjoy the beautiful sight of Mt Jomolhari (second largest peak in Bhutan) in the distant and hanging your prayer flags. Descend down to Gangtey or popularly known as the crane valley. Gangtey is a wide and beautiful valley the open grassland and thickets of dwarf bamboo, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National. It is a natural habitat for wildlife, including nesting grounds for endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Central Asia in the winter (late October and stay till March). Farmlands occupy the peripheral slopes where potatoes and turnips are grown. The general vegetation is composed of mainly blue pine, birch, maple and several species of rhododendrons. Consider visiting the Crane Center before checking into your hotel. The Center has informative displays about the black-necked cranes and the valley environment. You can use the centers’ powerful spotting scopes and check what you see against its pamphlet Field Guide to Crane Behavior in the valley (November – mid March)

Overnight: Aum Pem Home/Equivalent

After breakfast at leisure, drive up to visit the Gangtey Monastery on a forested hill overlooking the green expanse of the entire Phobjikha valley. During a visit to the Phobjikha valley, the 15 th century treasure-founder Terton Pema Lingpa prophesied that a Goemba named gang-teng (hilltop) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread from here. The significance of this monastery is the circling of the monastery by black neck cranes before landing in the valley and taking off for Tibet in February end for 110 km non-stop journey. Start the Nature Trail Hike from Gangtey monastery.
Walking Distance: 3.5 km walking Hours: 2 Hours leisurely
Elevation loss: 400 m
The trail hike starts from the Mani (like Chortens) stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. This hike which takes you through the pine forest and small bamboo plants secured with lichens, offering you a spectacular view of the Phobjikha Valley and the wetlands here with Black Necked cranes flocking over and around in the months of November till end of February. Enjoy your lunch in an open space and taking in the views of wide open valley. After lunch we will continue our walk towards the south of the valley which is serene and nice time for photography. There’s a clustered village in Kingathang and you may like to take chances to meet villagers there and interacting with them. There’s also an option to do mountain biking here as there’s lesser traffic and the sceneries are amazing. Or you can check into the hotel and relax.

Overnight: Aum Pem Home/Equivalent

Drive to Punakha – about 3 Hours driving distance. Punakha has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. It served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907 and the first national assembly was hosted here in 1953. The valley hosts one of the most majestic structures in the country, the Punakha Dzong. The sub-tropical environment allows cultivation of rice and numerous fruits such as oranges, mangoes and bananas, to name a few. Reaching Punakha and after Lunch, Hike to Chimi Lhakhang; Walking Distance: 2 km Round Trip Walking Hours: 2 Hours Round trip Ascent: 15 m
Chimi Lhakhang was built in dedication to Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman who was famed widely for his irreverent methods of teaching the dharma some 500 years ago. The whole valley is showered with traces of his influence, and villagers still enthusiastically recount the legends of his exploits. The temple is also referred to as the Temple of Fertility. Women having the problem of conceiving comes here to pray and get blessings with a wooden phallus that’s tapped on the head of the women. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners. There are souvenir shops around with many displays of phalluses and gifts to take back home. We will then head out to Khuruthang where we will have lunch and then drive further north to visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, considered one of the most important and also one of the most beautiful Dzongs in the Kingdom. It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637, and was the seat of the government every winter until Thimphu was established as the permanent capital in the 1960s. It is still the winter residence of the Dratshang (The Central Monk Body. As you move around you will admire the impressive, colorful and detailed artistry of the surroundings, including huge statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and the Zhabdrung, as
well as paintings of one-thousand Buddhas in one of the shrine you will visit. If time permits you may want to walk on over the longest suspension bridge, ten minutes’ walk
away from the fortress in the back over Pho Chu. The valley’s rivers have also opened up for rafting and kayaking activity.

Overnight: Happiness Field Village/Equivalent

Today you will drive to Thimphu – 2 ½ Hours driving distance via the beautiful Dochula Pass (3,000 m / 10,000 ft). There are 108 stupas built over the pass with an astounding panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas of Bhutan including the largest peak, Gangkar Puensum (Mountains of three sisters) at 7,564 m. Bhutanese families enjoy visiting the pass during holidays and weekends to picnic and simply enjoy the scenery. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated amongst the chortens, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea. It is an ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of Himalayan mountain range during clear, warm days. Thimphu is the largest city in Bhutan with a population of about 1, 20,000 and the city without traffic lights! It is home to the Government, royal family, and the head offices of international aid organizations. Thimphu is a mix of Himalayan and western sensibilities – internet cafes and disco theque abound! Today is a big event and thousands of people from all over the country has come to the city to witness the Grand Tshechu. After lunch in town, we will head out to the magnificient Tashichho Dzong to witness the Annual Thimphu Tshechu. No single event captures the prevailing Bhutanese culture better than the Buddhist festival. The best known are the Tsechus, occasions honoring the significant accomplishments of Guru Rinpoche, the 8 th Century figure widely revered across the Himalayas as the Second Buddha. Their focal point is a series of prayers and dances inspired by certain religious themes. Dancers in spectacular costumes perform tightly choreographed moves to a cacophony of drums, horns and cymbals. Constant chanting drifts in waves, a solemn base rising to vivid peaks.
What makes such occasions particularly remarkable is the manner in which performance merges with the overall setting. The larger festivals take place in the shadows of imposing
fortress-monasteries, attracting large crowds from the surrounding region. For Bhutanese, they represent both the opportunity to concentrate on their religion and as major social occasions. People appear in their finery, eating, drinking and making merry. The overall atmosphere is a rarified blend of devotion, conviviality and slight bawdiness. On show is the holistic, integrated and down-to-earth nature of unaffected popular Himalayan Buddhist culture. Enjoy Tshechu and dive yourself into the air of community vitality and observing the lively and vibrant festival.

Overnight: Taraphendeyling/Equivalent

Early in the morning, we will take opportunity to make it to the unfurling of the Thongdrel (Liberation at sight) ceremony to have the glimpse of this masterpiece hanging from the rooftop and dangling down to the ground to bless everyone who’s present there. There will be huge crowds so our assistant guide will have space reserved for us earlier. We will have snacks and light lunch packed and brought along with us for the Tshechu. Enjoy the last day of Thimphu Tshechu. In the afternoon we will leave the festival ground for afternoon Thimphu sightseeing. But for those who want to stay back, they can still continue on with the Tshechu. We will drive up to see the tallest sitting statue of Buddha Dordenma (52 m / 169 ft). The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8 th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. The massive three-storey base houses a large chapel, while the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. Visit Jungshi Paper Making Factory where you can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Deh-sho paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books. The Jungshi paper factory continues to preserve and promote this age-old Bhutanese tradition. We will then want to stroll in the downtown although there will be thousands of people with many cramped and tented temporary sheds selling stuffs on discount for the public.

Overnight: Tara Phendeyling/Equivalent

Early in the morning we will drive to Paro – an hour and half driving distance till the base of Tiger’s nest monastery. And then drive for about 35 minutes from here to the base of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Guru Rinpoche visited and sanctified Bhutan in the 8th century when evil spirits abounded and harmed people. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress’ back to subdue a local demon residing here. Thereafter, he is believed to have meditated here for four months and introduced Buddhism in the valley.
Walking Distance: 8.5km Return Walking Hours: 5-6hrs Return Ascent: 600m

Taktsang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It hangs on a cliff and stands above a beautiful forest of blue pine and rhododendrons at 10,000 ft. Today Paro Taktsang is the most sacred site for pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world and a special hiking site to conquest. We will have lunch in the cafeteria in the midway coming back or if we can make it, we will go Paro downtown for a sumptuous meal. Late afternoon, we will visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Legend says that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. So in order to control her, King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet is believed to have built 108 temples which are placed on all points of her body. Kichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 monasteries (pinning her left sole of the feet). We have the opportunity to light butter lamps and offer our prayers for ourselves and for people we love and to all sentient beings. We will check into the hotel and refresh ourselves. Later in the late evening, we will drive to Paro town. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colorfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants and handicrafts for souvenirs. Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two & stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.

Free time and souvenir

Overnight: Janka Resort/Equivalent

Your guide and driver will drop you to the Airport and see you off. We hope you had a good time with us. We hope to keep in touch and do hope to see you again.

Tashi Delek & Bon Voyage