Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1.5 Hr) L/D
Upon your arrival in Paro airport our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to Thimphu. After lunch, will drive to visit the Dechenphodrang monastic school and meet the young monks. Later continue to Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them. After that, visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late 3rd 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. In the evening, enjoy you dinner and walk around the happening town, the largest and the most crowded town in Bhutan. Overnight: Thimphu| Altitude: 2300m

Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing B/L/D
After your breakfast in the morning, you will visit the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill and the School of Arts and Crafts, where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. After that, you will visit Folk Heritage Museum which explains how a traditional house used to be like in the olden days, and National Library which houses the collection of Bhutanese rich religious text and the contemporary Buddhism teachings from master all around the world. After lunch, visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a beautiful view of the valley, and Enclosure where the national animal, Takins are kept, then drive to visit the largest and the newly built statue of Buddha Dordenma offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley. After 5 PM, visit the fortress of Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne of the king. At the end of the day, enjoy your dinner and relax at hotel. Overnight: Thimphu| Altitude: 2300m

Day 03: Thimphu- Punakha (3 Hrs) B/L/D
After breakfast, heading 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 site that stretches almost 180 degrees. Take a break and walk around the newly built 108 stupas and continue to the sub- tropical valley of Punakha offering a different vegetation. En route just before arriving the hotel, take a nice hike through the paddy field and old village to visit Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.

After lunch could relax in the balcony of the hotel to enjoy the view and the nature, or could go for an hour hike (uphill) to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang overlooking the paddy field and the snakelike river bends. Later back to the hotel, enjoy dinner and relax. Overnight: Punakha| Altitude: 1300m

Day 04: Punakha- Phobjikha (3Hrs) B/L/D
Morning visit Punakha Dzong, 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. After the visit if you are in mood for a nice half-day hike, you could start the hike right above the Dzong with a short steep climb offering a great view of the valley with houses spread all around and the never ending turquoise river and its sandy river bed. This trail is also popular for mountain biking. The hike ends through the farm field crossing the newly constructed bridge, where your car will be waiting at the other side of the river. If you choose the entire activity can be done on foot from your hotel. Drive to the remote isolated valley of Phobjikha. When reach, you could have lunch and go for 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. Overnight: Phobjikha| Altitude: 2900m

Day 05: Phobjikha (3Hrs) B/L/D
After breakfast, visit Gangtey Goempa temple which is a beautiful temple, richly renovated with many monks living. Could also visit the Crane Canter supported by the RSPN. The endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every end of Oct to end of Feb. This valley is a paradise for the nature lovers and hikers. Upon your arrival could go for a short walk in 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. Overnight: Phobjikha| Altitude: 2900m

Day 06: Phobjikha – Trongsa (2.5-3Hrs) B/L/D
After breakfast, will continue journey for Trongsa, Enroute hike to the unique village of Rinchengang, which has a very old history dating back to early 1600, the hike to the village is worth with lots of photo opportunity of the village activities and children running after you. Continue your drive and if time permits stop on the way in another villages of Rukubji for some photo opportunity. Later, upon your arrival after checking in the hotel, visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong. It was from this Dzong that the Bhutanese rulers fought off the British invasion attempts in the 1800s. Also visit the newly opened museum at the watchtower overlooking the Dzong. Overnight: Trongsa | Altitude: 2200m

Day 07: Trongsa – Jakar (3 Hrs) B/L/D
Morning transfer from Trongsa to Jakar. The beauty of this valley has attracted many important Buddhist masters over the centuries. Bumthang has the most number of religious sites than any other district in Bhutan. Visit temples like Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Khachudra monastic school. Most of the sightseeing can be done by hiking. The beauty of this valley will give you lots of photo opportunity to get nice shorts of valley, unique temples, local people and monks. Overnight: Jakar | Altitude: 2650m

Day 08: Jakar -- Paro (8 Hrs) B/L/D
Morning drive to Paro. Upon arrival, will visit Paro Dzong 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. Could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on, Evening back to the hotel Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 09: Paro Hiking B/L/D
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 overlooking the Paro valley. Most of the day will go on the hike. On the way back, 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. Farewell dinner with your guide Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 10: Departure B
In the early morning, transfer (15 mins) to the airport for your departure flight, your guide will bid you farewell at the airport.