Paro, Thimpu, Gangtey, Bumathang & Punakha 06 Nights & 07 Days

Day- 01

Arrival in Paro Airport (PBH)  and Transfer to Thimphu - Welcome to Bhutan - Our guide will greet you at Paro airport and will assist to get transferred to the capital city Thimphu  - Passing by the Tamchog Lhakang Iron Bridge and after a drive of approximately 55 kilometers and nearly 01½ - 02 hours' time - Thimphu valley was a wooded farming valley until 1951, when massive 17th-century Fortress, Tashicho Dzong, was revamped by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to form Bhutan's official capital - Thimphu is the fifth highest capital in the world by altitude and ranges in altitude from 2,248 meters i.e. 7,375 feet) to 2,648 meters i.e. 8,688 feet - Thimphu is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered throughout the area - The culture of Bhutan is fully reflected in Thimphu in literature, religion, customs, and national dress code, the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, and dance -  Check into hotel / resort or homestay - Evening take a stroll around the place, Pub or local market or even the main street - Overnight at the hotel, resort or homestay in Thimphu

Day- 02

Thimpu Local Sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang - One can visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas -  Next visit Buddha Point,  Tashicchhoe Dzong, The Memorial Chorten, The Institute of Traditional Medicine, Coronation Park, School of Arts & Crafts, Handicraft Institute & Motithang Takin Reserve (Takin Zoo) & Simply Bhutan Museum -  The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the monks move to Punakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan -  Drive to Simtokha Dzong and visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs - Evening free to stroll around the hotel or visit local club or Pub - Overnight stay in hotel/resort or homestay Thimphu

Day- 03

Transfer to Gangtey - Early morning head for Gangtey - The drive from Thimphu to Gangtey is approximately 130 kilometers and is nearly 03½ -  04 hours via Thimphu-Punakha Highway & Thimphu-Wangdue Phodrang Highway - Drive up to Dochu-la pass situated at an altitude of 3088 meters i.e.10130 feet stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the Chorten, Mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road - Enroute visit  Chhimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Suspension Bridge & the 100 Stupas - After that, one can continue driving to Gangtey -Gangtey, the winter home to more than 400 highly endangered black-necked cranes. It is a wide, flat glacial valley, the rolling valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, creating a sense of deep isolation - It is a beautiful and tranquil place surrounded by lush forests - This evening remains free - If guests are interested, one can stroll around the Gangtey Valley - Night stay at hotel / resort or homestay in Gangtey

Day- 04

Transfer to  Bumthang via Trongsa - Early morning breakfast - Next drive approximately 200 kilometers and is nearly 07 hours drive by road - Early morning a scenic drive to Bumthang, the most historic dzongkhag with extraordinary sceneries - After breakfast, transfer from Gangtey, cross the Pele La Pass and visit the Chendebji Chorten, a large white structure beside a stream - Later stop at Trongsa for lunch and visit its huge white Trongsa Dzong with a distinctive yellow roof - After that continue your adventure to Bumthang after crossing the Yotong La Pass - Bumthang is a district in the north-central region of Bhutan and due to the great number of temples and sacred sites, it is often referred to as the spiritual heartland of the country - Bumthang consists of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor ("Bumthang"), although occasionally the entire district is referred to as Bumthang valley. - Evening free to stroll around the resort , hotel or homestay - Overnight stay at Bumthang

Day- 05

Bumthang Sightseeing - Bumthang is justifiably regarded as Bhutan's cultural heartland where the landscape is dotted with palaces, ancient temples, and monasteries - We will take the whole day to explore the Bumthang valley by visiting the grand Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of Bumthang - After that we lead you to stroll in the village and have close contact with the local people and visit a local handicraft shop - In the afternoon, do a short hike to the Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, a remarkable Tibetan Buddhist monastery - Night stay at Bumthang

Day- 06

Transfer from Bumthang to Punakha - It is approximately 200 kilometres and is nearly 07 hours drive by road -  This morning we take a short time to stroll around the town and later start for a long drive to Punakha - This is a scenic drive, passing many small villages, waterfalls with spectacular landscape, crossing Black mountains, the ever-changing vegetation and finally arriving in the warm valley of Punakha. As the valley is at a lower elevation of about 1250 meters / 4100 feet above sea level, it enjoys subtropical climate with warm summers and pleasant winters - After a short rest at the hotel, we guide you to today's highlight - Punakha Dzong. It is a very beautiful Bhutanese architecture located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers - Night Stay at Punakha

Day- 07

Transfer to Paro - Early morning breakfast - Next visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century - Next walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong - Built-in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal - It is the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district - Transfer to Paro passing by Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge - It is approximately 135 kilometres and is nearly 04 hours from Punakha & Wangdue - The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong - Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area - Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing - Check in to hotel/resort or homestay at Paro - Evening free to stroll around the market or local pub - Overnight Stay at Paro

Day- 08

Paro local sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Paro has many sites for tourist to roam around - The main street, only built-in 1985, is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants - Minimum three-night stay is worth in Paro - The main tourist attractions in Paro are Nya-Mey Zam or “the bridge with no fish” - Ta Dzong, “Ta” means to see/watch and “dzong” means fortress - Dungtse Lhankhang - Drukgyel Dzong or “fortress of the victorious Drukpas” -  Kyichu Lhakhang - Kila Gompa - Druk Choeding - Next Rinpung Dzong or “the fortress of the heap of jewels” & Simply Bhutan Museum - Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley - This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley - Late afternoon back to the hotel/resort or homestay - Evening free to stroll around the local market - Night stay in hotel/resort in Paro

OR

Excursion to Takshang Monastery - Early morning breakfast - Start early  for an excursion to the spectacular Taktsang monastery or Tiger's Nest - A short drive to Satsam Chorten and from there a 2-hour horse ride or hike to the viewpoint of the monastery at an altitude of 3180 meters i.e. 10,430 feet - The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags - Guest can stop for  rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until Taktsang monastery is visible -  This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below - Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming tigress in the 747 A.D – One can have lunch at the  cafeteria and after lunch return to hotel - [If time permits then a few tourist spot will be covered] Evening free to stroll around the region - Night stay at Paro

Day- 09

Excursion to Chele La pass & view of Haa Valley - Chele La (Pass) connects the Valley of Paro and Haa and is situated at an elevation 3988 meters is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan - It is nearly 36 kilometers from Paro and 26 kilometers from Haa Valley and is about 01½ via Bondey-Haa Highway - About an hour's drive along a thickly - the forested road is a botanical paradise - The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake - Made all the more mysterious and beautiful with its abundance of prayer flags - Guest can witness the  cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor - One can also enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, other peaks and also the Paro and Haa valleys - Back to hotel/resort or homestay - Guest may spend the day by shopping or simply walking through the town or visit the local club or pub - Overnight stay in hotel/resort or homestay in Paro

Note: Special Permit & Stay for Haa Valley is Optional - Drive on to Haa situated at an altitude of 2700 meters i.e.8900 feet - Descending all the way for another 22 kilometers nearly an hours drive to Haa - The Haa Dzong view from outside is stunning - One can also visit to the famous Monastery of Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed by a visit to Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) - Three hours drive back to Paro

Day- 10

Departure transfer to Paro Airport (PBH) - Paro Airport (PBH) is the sole international airport of the four airports in the Kingdom of Bhutan - Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing - The main street, only built-in 1985, is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants - It is 06 kilometers i.e. 3.7 miles from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu - Paro is one of the most tranquil and beautiful valleys in Bhutan - Paro is the name of the district or Dzongkhag and as well as the name of its town center - Paro Dzongkhag is situated in the north-western part of Bhutan - It covers a total area of 1258 square kilometers With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 meters i.e. 18,000 feet it is considered one of the world's most challenging airports and only a select number of pilots are certified to land at the airport - Forwarding Journey