Day 01| Arrival in Paro

Early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan (Please check the flight timing). The flight from Delhi/Kathmandu is considered as one of the most scenic flight offering the view of the world’s top ten highest peaks. Upon your arrival in Paro airport our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to your hotel. Later visit the National museum which has all range of collections ranging from pre history of Bhutan. Visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. Evening back to the hotel.

Overnight: Paro| Altitude: 2200m

Day 02| Paro Sightseeing

Morning drive to the base for the hike (3 hrs uphill) to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff over looking the Paro valley. Most of the day will go on the hike. Evening if you have the energy and time visit the Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan which marks the beginning of Buddhism in the country.

Overnight: Paro

Day 03| Paro – Thimphu (1.5 Hrs)

Morning drive to Thimphu. Upon arrival, visit the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3 rd  King. This place now happens to be a get together point for the elderly people, who spend their whole day chanting prayers and meeting their friends. Drive further up to visit the Dechenphodrang monastic school and meet the young monks. Later continue to Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them. Visit the
enclosure where the national animal, Takins are kept and drive to visit the largest and the newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley. After 5 PM, if time permits, visit the fortress of Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne of the king. Evening walk around the happening town, the largest and the most crowded town in Bhutan.

Overnight: Thimphu| Altitude: 2300m

Day 04| Thimphu – Punakha (2 Hrs)

Morning visit the happening weekend market (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) where the locals from the surrounding villages come to sell their produce. They sell their goods and in return they buy their basic necessities. In olden days, bata system was practiced by everyone. Visit the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill. Visit the School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. Visit Folk Heritage
Museum which explains how a traditional house used to be like in the olden days. Lunch in town and drive to Punakha crossing over Dochula pass (3200 mts). If the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular breath taking view of the highest mountain peaks of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. Take a break and walk around the 108 stupas and continue to the sub tropical valley of Punakha offering a different vegetation. En route just before arriving the hotel, taka a nice hike through the paddy field and old village to visit Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with the religious art of phallus.

Overnight: Punakha| Altitude: 1350m

Day 05| Punakha Sightseeing

In the morning go for an hour hike (uphill) to the temple of Khamsum Yuley chorten overlooking the paddy field and the snakelike river bends. After lunch visitPunakha Dzong (fortress), which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a must to see fortress in Bhutan and a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture

In the evening drive to wolakha buddhist college for Buddhist nun and experience their daily rituals.

Overnight: Punakha

Day 06| Punakha – Phobjika (2 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to the remote isolated valley of Phobjikha. The drive is very picturesque and worth every turn and climb. This valley is protected being winter home for the endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every end of October to end of February. This valley is a paradise for the nature lovers and hikers. There are many trails such as the Phobjikha Nature trail hike (2.5 Hrs), which offers beautiful view of the valley. It starts from the valley and end with Gangtey Goempa temple at the hilltop overlooking the valley. Or if you are too tired after the long drive, could relax in the hotel and enjoy the breathtaking view of the valley. This is a very remote village and the hotel standard is very basic. Farm house stay optional.

Overnight: Phobjikha| Altitude: 2900m

Day 07| Phobjikha – Trongsa (2 Hrs)

Morning could go for walk right below your hotel and meet the school children who all walk for hours to reach their nearest school. Later after breakfast continue your drive crossing over Pelela Pass at 3,300m which forms the part of Black mountain range that divides the country into east and west. Enroute could take a short break and go for short hike to the remote village of Rukubji or Chendibji. The drive is long but the landscape is picturesque and worth. On arrival relax in the hotel, or visit to Trongsa dzong

Overnight: Trongsa| Altitude: 2200m

Day 08| Trongsa – Tang (3 Hrs)

Morning walk through the single lane town of Trongsa and visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong (Fortress), the home of the royals. Historically Trongsa Dzong is the most important Dzong and the largest as well. Must visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which houses a unique museum. Later start driving for the remote village of Tang, crossing over Yotong La pass at 3,400m. After a short descend en route just before arriving Jakar, stop in Chumi valley, the weaving place, by the roadside where “Yatha” (wool weaving) is woven here which Bumthang is famous for. Continue your drive crossing over Kiki La pass stopping in Jakar for a short while. After Jakar, continue your drive to the remote isolated village of Tang, due to it’s remoteness, very few tourists get to visit this village. The landscape is beautiful crossing through many small villages. Just before reaching Tang village, if you want to avoid driving, you have an option to take a shortcut by crossing the bridge and walk for about half an hour to the O’Chholing palace, the ancestral home to the royal family of Tang region which is converted into a museum. Overnight in guest house belonging to the old palace. Enjoy the calmness and the beautiful view of the Tang valley. It’s a quite little village, which got electricity recently.

Overnight: O’Chholing Guest House| Altitude: 2800m

Day 09| Tang – Jakar (1 Hr)

Morning walk around the tiny village, meeting the locals, the shy children and interacting with them. Witness their morning village activities. Later after breakfast, visit the unique museum of O’Chholing, which has very fine and unique collection of Bhutanese Arts and Artifacts. It covers and explains about all the history and details of Tang village activities during the olden days. Later after lunch bid farewell to the family of the museum and drive back to Jakar.

Overnight: Jakar| Altitude: 2650m

Day 10| Jakar Sightseeing

Bumthang province consists of four different valleys know as Chumi, Jakar, Tang and Ura. This province is the most historical and one of the holiest place in Bhutan with so many temples and holy sites spread all around the province. Jakar is a beautiful valley and if you want to take a break and avoid driving, today’s activity can be entirely done on foot. Visit Jampay Lakhang, one of the first two Buddhist temples built in the country. Visit Kurjey lakhang temple, one of the holiest site in Bhutan, this is also the site where the royals are cremated. Cross the suspension bridge follow the dirt road and through the village of Prakhar and visit Tamshing lakhang temple. End your day with a walk passing by the Swiss farm. If time permits visit the Jakar Dzong offering beautiful view of the valley. Evening stroll in Jakar town and try some local pancake and noodles.

Overnight: Jakar

Day 11| Jakar – Mongar (8 Hrs)

Morning start your drive for Mongar. The drive is long but it’s very picturesque and offers wide range of vegetation crossing over Ura la pass and descending towards the village of Ura. The climb starts again with change in wide range of vegetation. Finally crossing over Thrumshingla pass, almost 4,000m making it the highest motorable road in Bhutan. After the pass, you start descending, crossing Shingkhar village where the Bumthap people bring their cattle towards the south zone in winter. En route picnic lunch. Continue descending through steep road offering the beautiful view of Namling waterfall. Finally you reach the warm town of Limithang. You will see a change in wide range of vegetation from Alpine to Sub tropical. On the way you may see the great Hornbills, Rofus and the Golden Languar too. Finally after crossing the bridge, you will need to climb till you reach Mongar at the hilltop.

Overnight: Mongar| Altitude: 1500m

Day 12| Mongar – Lhuntse – Mongar (Full day)

Day excursion to Lhuentse, the ancestors of our kings hailed from this province, the villagers of these areas are popularly known for their weavings and the most intricate designs comes from Lhuentse. It’s a beautiful drive through many remote villages offering beautiful landscape. Enroute will have another picnic lunch by the riverside. After visiting the Dzong, drive back a short distance and take a short hike to the village of Khoma, the
weaving center where the finest design comes from this village. If you like, could drive to the village through the dirt road. Later drive back to the hotel. In case if you are tired of driving, you could avoid the day excursion to Lhuntse and visit the villages and temples near by and relax in the afternoon.

Overnight: Mongar

Day 13| Mongar – Trashi Yangtse (4 Hrs)

Drive to the remote province of Tashi Yangtse, crossing over the pass of Kori La, driving through villages and paddy fields and the popular Yadi loop, after crossing the Rolong Chuu bridge, we can see the view of Trashigang Dzong, we take a diversion from Chakzam following the river to Yangtse. As you drive you will see houses and villages spread all around the mountains. En route visit the Gom Kora Lhakahng, blessed and mediated by Guru Rimpoche in a big rock, there is a popular festival taking place during March. Picnic lunch at a place by the river. Continue your picturesque drive. As soon as you reach Tashi Yangtse you will be greeted by Chorten Kora temple, a circular chorten where a princess of
Arunchal Pradesh was doomed here, the festival takes place in the month of March and many people from Arunchal Pradesh visits this site. Visit the town and villagers making the Dapas (wooden bowls). This is a very remote town and the hotel standard is very basic.

Overnight: Trashi Yangtse| Altitude: 1650m

Day 14| Trashi Yangtse – Trashigang (3 Hrs)

After breakfast visit the gallery of the park, could meet the Ranger of the Bomdeling Wildlife Scantuary which takes half a day of walking from here. Visit Painting School of the east. Start retracing your journey back till checkpoint at the bridge and start climbing up till you reach Trashigang. Later visit the impressive Trashigang Dzong, overlooking north part of its province. Walk around the little town but the busiest town of east Bhutan. Evening back to your hotel and relax.

Overnight: Trashigang| Altitude: 1700m

Day 15| Trashigang sightseeing

Morning drive towards the north of the valley and visit Bartsham Chador Lhakhang explore the villages in the eastern part of Bhutan which is not really touch like in western parts of Bhutan and enjoy your picnic lunch. After lunch visit Ranjung monastery, one of the biggest monasteries in the eastern parts of Bhutan.

Overnight: Trashigang

Day 16| Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar (6 Hrs)

Morning start your drive for Bhutan India border town, S/Jongkhar. The drive goes through many villages and again a picturesque landscape. You may spent some time watching the Great Horn Bills and the Rofus Horn bills, which are rare! Picnic lunch on the way. Enjoy the picturesque landscape as you descend over the balcony of Himalayas. Being the India Bhutan border town, it might not be of your Bhutanese traditional
expectations. Upon arrival, you guide will assist you to find your transport for the next day to drive you to the airport. Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar| Altitude: 150m

Day 17| Departure

Morning, your guide will help you to complete the immigration formalities and will bid your farewell. Drive to Guwhati airport (2 Hrs) and catch your flight for Kolkotta/Delhi.

Some useful Bhutanese phrases
Hello:              Ku-zu-zam-po-la (meaning good health)
Thank You:     Ka din chey la
See you:          Lok jey gay
Good bye:       Lus la “or” Laso la