You will be received by our guide and driver at the Paro International Airport and then escort your to visit the National Museum of Bhutan. Later you'll be transferred to the capital city Thimphu. The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of the Paro district) was established in 1968. It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Buddha Dordenma

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is 55km away from the main Paro town. The drive should not take more than 2 hours including stopovers on the way. Thimphu is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Arriving in Thimphu, you'll visit the largest sitting Buddha Statue. The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can see a nice view of Thimphu city. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also for the purpose of bringing peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues of the same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.

Tango Buddhist Institute

Hike to Tango Monastery: Tango is located on the mountainside north of Thimphu. There is also a monastery called Cheri located on a mountain in the neighbourhood. Hiking to Tango is much easier as most part of the footpath is paved and the uphill ascent is not as steep. It is roughly 14km from the main Thimphu town. Following the trail through the forests, the walk uphill takes about 1.5 hours at a slow pace. Tango Monastery was founded in 1222 by the Tibetan saint Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who first established the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism in Bhutan and subsequently became the state religion. The present form of the monastery was built later in 1689 by the Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Temporal ruler of Bhutan. After visiting the monastery and offering prayers, we retrace our steps back to the base and the drive to Thimphu town. Traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant or at one of similar restaurants.

National Institute for Zorig Chusum

The National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) is located nearby the Folk Heritage Museum. The National Institute of Zorig Chuzum was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. Many of these traditional arts and crafts are declining with the advent of modern technologies and therefore, the government is putting in lot of effort to train youths to keep the traditions alive. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (wood turning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).

Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground

Pass by the Changlimithang Archery Range and see the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time the target is hit from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. Leisure time around Thimphu town.

Dochula Pass

After early breakfast, drive to Punakha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass. En route to Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as ‘Temple of Fertility and then visit the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, Punakha Dzong. Dochu La Pass – 3,150m/10,335ft above sea level: About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan. Before the construction of these beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Choetens (stupas) in 2004, this mountain pass remained only as a sacred place blessed by a famous Tibetan Buddhist saint, Lam Drukpa Kunley in late 15th century. From Dochu La Pass, we will continue driving towards Punakha, passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through the pine trees. You will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to a warmer subtropical valley at 1,200m.

Chimi Lhakhang Temple

Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha about 20-30 minutes walk through beautiful terraced rice fields and traditional farm houses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 15th-century Tibetan Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his obscene behavior and outrageous ways of cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. One of the relics of Chimi Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to couples who are unable to have children as it brings fertility giving them the ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”

Punakha Dzong

After lunch we set off to visit the historic Punakha Dzong originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded the nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second-largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate woodworks and the architectural structure of the dzong displays fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continue to influence Bhutanese architecture even today.

Punakha Suspension Bridge

From Punakha Dzong, walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan that runs across the Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial-fed rivers Phochu (male) and Mochu (female). We then drive to Namgay Zam Homestay in the village of Yusakha for overnight. Staying at the village homestay is a perfect way to experience the life of an ordinary Bhutanese family. You can participate in preparing your dinner and learn how to cook some of the popular dishes of Bhutan. If interested, you can also soak in a traditional hot stone bath believed to have a therapeutic and revitalizing effect. If this homestay is not available, you’ll stay at Meri Puensum Resort.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

After breakfast, drive to the nearest road head and then hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten and then after lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey. Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper coloured mountains). From the nearest road head, you walk across a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields and a short climb before reaching the peaceful chorten. Normally it takes just under one hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous chorten. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley. After lunch, you will be transferred to Phobjikha valley.

Phobjikha Valley

Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. Every year on the 11th of November, Black Necked Crane Festival is held in this valley to celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in the lives of the local people during winter months. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area.

On arrival at Phobjikha valley, you will be served tea and snacks before venturing out on an exhilarating nature hike. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 3 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and an understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures! If you are not interested in nature hikes, there are many things you do like visiting the Black-necked Information Center and learn how this valley and its people play an important role in the conservation of these majestic birds. If time does not permit, you will do the hike tomorrow morning.

Gangtey Monastery

After breakfast, you will visit one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan - Gangtey Monastery and then drive back to Paro valley. Gangtey Monastery or Gangtey Goempa: The famous landmark in this valley is one of the biggest monasteries in Bhutan, Gangtey Monastery popularly know as Gangtey Goenpa (gonpa literally means “high remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance) founded in 1613. The name Gangtey is derived from the fact that the Goenpa is built on a peak (Tey) of a hillock (Gang). Lunch will be served on the way. If we start the journey early, lunch will be arranged at Dochula Cafeteria with a beautiful view of some of the highest mountains in Bhutan.

After lunch, if you are interested, hike to Tashigang Gonpa. This wonderful hiking adventure will take you downhill through forests of Juniper, Hemlock, blue pine among many others. It offers a great opportunity to photograph nature and landscapes. You'll also come across different species of bird. The hike downhill takes about an hour. Tashigang Gonpa is a monastery located on top of a mountain below Dochula Pass. It was built in 1768 by the 12th Abbot of Bhutan, Je Kunga Jamtsho. The monastery houses priceless relics and several statues of past Abbots of Bhutan. Today, the monastery serves as a monastic school for dozens of monks. The hiking trail can get wet and muddy during the moon season of late June to early September. From the monastery, we drive to the main road and continue the journey to Paro.he

Upon reaching Paro, visit Paro Kyichu Lhakhang. Located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro, Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in his effort to build 108 such temples across the Himalayan region to subdue the spirit of a demoness that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. It is believed to have been built in a single night.

Paro Taktsang

Today after an early breakfast, you will hike to the famous 17th-century Taktsang Monastery popular known as the “Tiger’s Nest” and later in the evening visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisines. Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site Taktsang is perched on the 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Cafeteria). Horse riding on the way down is not recommended. The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. After lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, we descend back to the base and drive to Paro town.

Later in the afternoon, visit a beautiful traditional farmhouse for an authentic dinner comprised of homecooked local cuisine. If interested, you can also take a traditional hot stone bath believed to have a therapeutic and revitalizing effect for an additional fee of about US$15 per person.

After breakfast, depending on your flight time you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.