Day 01. Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese crusine and some light sight-seeing in Thimphu if possible.
Viewpoints around Thimphu
Takin enclosure – See the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin. National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk .
Overnight Hotel
Day 02.- Thimphu Sightseeing
Full day Thimphu sightseeings includes as follows:
Heritage Museum – Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.Textile Museum – witnesses the art of traditional weaving. Thimphu Dzong – the largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan. National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Paper making factory – witnesses the art of paper making. Simtokha Dzong – Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom. Afternoon watch the archery match at Changlimithang stadium. Overnight hotel
Day 03. – Thimphu to Punakha
Morning complete Thimphu sightseeings and later take one hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04.- Punakha Sightseeing
If we didn’t complete sightseeing yesterday, we’ll aim for an early breakfast so we can do some more before leaving for Punakha the old winter capital of Bhutan. En route we’ll cross the Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150mts. On a clear day the whole range of Eastern Himalayas can be seen from here, so fingers crossed!
We then descend down to the Punakha Valley at an altitude of 1350mts. The road has lots of sharp bends, but lots of breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. If we get to Punakha early enough we’ll visit the glorious Punakha Dzong, also known as the “the Palace of Great Bliss”. Overnight Hotel
Day 05. – Punakha to Phobjikha
Transfer to Phobjikha Valley (3 hrs) via the bustling market town of Wangduephodrang. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forests, and over a high pass down into the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. After lunch visit the Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century. Overnight at your hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 06. Phobjikha to Paro
Morning visit the Farm house and hike around the valley, if you are interested you can visit the schools. Later drive to Paro. Overnight Hotel.
Day 07. Paro ( starts trek) Taktsang – Ugyent Tsemo
After breakfast transfer to Satsam Chorten which is about 10km from Paro and start trek. The hike will be uphill in a forested path to Taktsang Monastery known as “ Tiger Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. It stands at an elevation of about 3,100m above sea level. The climb is steep and takes about 2hrs to get there. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs 2,500 feet above Paro valley.On a hill top clearly visible from some point before getting to Taktsang, is yet another monastery known as Ugyen Tsemo. This will be your camp site for the night . It is about 200m above Taktsang and it takes another one hour more to get there. Overnight camping
Day 08. Ugyen Tsemo – Bumdrak
After breakfast start trek. Ugyen Tsemo to Bumdrak, it will take about 4hrs. This stretch is a pleasant walk through the forest where you get to enjoy the view of Paro valley. On this part of the trek, there are no step climbs or descents but you will feel out – of – breath because of the high elevation. The campsite is at an altitude of about 3700m. You will camp in the vicinity the Bumdrak Monastery. It is believed that 1,000 Dakinis had mediated in a cave and blessed the place and hence the name, Bumdrak. Overnight camp.
Day 09. Bumdrak – Sangngachoekor – Paro
After breakfast visit Monastery and meet up the local Nuns and Gomchens, those who lives around.After that start the trek. This stretch of trek will take 4hrs. It will take you through the alpine forest and later as you descend further, through the mixed forest of Bhutan. On the way you will come across sheep and goats and sometimes yaks “released” to graze in the forest. You will also see couple of old monasteries in ruins. After 4hrs of gradual descent , you will finally reach Sangnachoekor Sheydra( Buddhist college). Upon reaching Sangnachoekor , pick up fro the unpaved road and transfer to your Hotel.
Day 10. Departure.