Bhutan Panorama

Arrive in Paro (2200m / 7200ft) – Drive to Thimpu (2320m / 7600ft) / 1 hour drive: Upon arrival at International Airport in Paro, you will be greeted by your guide. Then drive to Thimphu, the world’s smallest capital city, to settle into your hotel. After checking in at hotel and freshen up, visit Buddha Point on a hilltop to see the biggest statue of Buddha in Bhutan. The view of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha Point is just amazing. Then visit the Tashichhodzong the ‘Fortress of the Glorious Religion’ and home to Bhutan’s royal government.

Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Khang Residency

In Thimphu sightseeing and 2 hours hike: After early breakfast, take a charming drive towards north through charming countryside of Thimphu. Then hike to Cheri Monastery located at Cheri Mountain northern end of Thimphu valley. The hike is climbing uphill for about one hour through mixed forest of oak, rhododendrons and other shrubs with beautiful sound of birds. This hikes provides an insight into the Himalayan vegetation and rewards with awesome views. Then visit Zilukha Nunnery the only nunnery in capital. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and interact with nuns about the monastic life. After lunch, visit Folk Heritage Museum and stroll around charming city of Thimphu in the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Khang Residency

Drive to Punakha (1240m / 4070ft): Make your way to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, enjoying the views from Dochu La Pass (3100m / 10,200ft). Take a short walk to the Chime Lhakhang known as the Temple of the Divine Madman, a uniquely-adorned 15th century temple said to bless visiting couples for fertility. After checking in at hotel and lunch, take a short drive to Mochu River. After crossing the bridge, you will be in the middle of the beautiful Punakha valleys surrounded by the misty mountains from all directions. The valley is home for rice and potato fields. Hike to Khamsum Yulle Namgyal Chorten through the rice fields and pine forest. The hike is moderate and takes about 2 hour’s roundtrip. Located a top of a hill, the site provides the mesmerizing 360-degree views of the entire Punakha Valley. Inside Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, there are huge statues of Vajrakilaya (a wrathful protective deity) who seem to be looking everywhere and ward off evil spirits and offer protection to all living things in Bhutan.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort

In Punakha hike to Limbukha (3 hours) and visit Punakha Dzong: After a short drive to hike start point, hike through farm lands, then gradually climb towards Dompala hills through forest. The hike is about 3 hours, mostly uphill. Situated on Dompala hill, Limbukha is a one of the picturesque villages in Punakha. The village is famous for growing red rice which has a medicinal value. After exploring the village, return to Punakha by drive. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong is one of the most spectacular dzongs in the country. It serves as the winter residence for Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort

Drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha Valley (2900m/ 9500ft): After breakfast, set off on the road climbing up on mountain road towards east to reach to the glacial valley of Gangtey or Phobjikha. When you arrive at valley, your eyes are blessed with the scenic beauty of the valley comprising of mountains, trees, animals, birds and shrubs.
This serene and remote valley is the winter home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north, to pass the winter months in a milder climate. After checking in at hotel and lunch, visit the ancient Gangtey monastery located on a hill ridge overlooking the vast and beautiful Phobjikha valley. Stroll around the surrounding villages in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dewachen Resort

In Gangtey – hike at Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park / 3-4 hours hike: After early breakfast, drive through beautiful Gangtey valley to the Zizi village. Then hike for 3 to 4 hours through the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park which represents the best example of the mid-Himalayan ecosystems. The hike is pleasant without any steep climbs through breathtaking virgin forest with beautiful flowers and scenic waterfalls. During the hike, you will also have a chance to see the rare wild animals such as red pandas, Himalayan black bears etc. Afternoon in leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dewachen Resort

Drive to Bumthang (2800m / 9020ft): After breakfast, set off on the road to Jakar. The road climbs and crosses the black mountains at Pele-la pass (3420m / 11200ft). From here, on a clear day, you can see the Mt. Jumolhari, and other mountains across the valley. After the pass, you are now in Mangde region and people speak different dialect here. Continue drive to Trongsa, en-route stopping at Chendebji chorten and other places along the way to stretch your legs, enjoy the landscape. Visit Trongsa Dzong (fortress-monastery), which is considered one of the largest and certainly the most impressive of all Dzongs in Bhutan. From Trongsa, the road climbs to another pass Youtong-la (3425m / 11230ft), then descends to the Bumthang valleys.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jakar Village Lodge

Sightseeing in Bumthang with 2 hour’s hike: Bumthang is the most picturesque place in Bhutan, cultural and spiritual heartland and home to ancient Buddhist monasteries and temples.

After breakfast, take a short drive, then hike for about 2 hours through the beautiful upper Chokhor Valley to Thangbi Lhakhang , an important Buddhist temple founded in 1470 by the 4th Shamar Rinpoche. The hike is pleasant through a peaceful forest without any steep uphill and downhill. After the hike, visit the ancient temple of Khurje Lhakhang is the place where Guru Rinpoche (the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) had meditated and contains the rock which has the imprint of Guru Rinpoche's body, hence this place is considered to be the holiest. Visit Jakar Dzong in the afternoon. Also known as the "castle of the white bird", The Jakar Dzong is now the center of administration of Bumthang District and also houses the regional monk body. It overlooks the Chokhor Valley and offers a good view of the Bumthang Valley

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jakar Village Lodge

In Bumthang – drive to Tang Valley and hike to the Ogyen Choling Palace: Today’s drive is one of the most beautiful drives with breathtaking views that passes through farms producing rice, buckwheat, potato, apples, honey and dairy products. Stop at Tang and visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche meditated.

Continue to drive to Kizum. After crossing the Kizum bridge over the Tand River, hike uphill for about 45 to 60 minutes (1 ½ hours roundtrip) to the Ogyen Choling Palace that holds great significance to both Bhutanese and Tibetans.

Ogyen Choling is the heritage house which has preserved the ancient artefacts and traditional household items. The heirs of the Choling family decided to convert their ancestral home into a museum to share their history. A visit to this place gives an insight into the rural life of the country.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jakar Village Lodge

Drive to Wangdu (4300ft): Retrace your drive across Yotongla pass, Trongsa and Pelela pass to the Wangdu home of one of the largest Dzongs in the country. With its diverse climates and rich natural resources, Wangdu is home to many rare and exotic animals like Red Pandas, Tigers and Leopards. There are also large numbers of rare birds such as the Black Necked Crane, White-Bellied Heron and the Spotted Eagle.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Wangdu Eco Lodge

Drive to Paro (2200m / 7200ft): Retrace your drive via Dochula pass (10200 feet) and Thimpu to Paro. After checking in at hotel and lunch, visit National Museum of Bhutan which display the Bhutanese culture, art and natural history. Followed by Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro valley has a long history. Built on 1644 by Ngawang Namgyal, the fortress-monastery served as an effective defense against numerous attempts of invasion by the Tibetans.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: The Village Lodge

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (10240ft): Rise early to make the hike to the magnificent Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The hike is about two miles and takes about 3 hours to reach the picturesque Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery that clings to a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Tiger’s Nest is a sacred pilgrimage site, where the great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is believed to have flown on the back of the tiger. This is where he meditated and taught tantric Buddhism. After exploring the Tiger’s Nest, hike down which takes about 2 hours. Rest of the day in leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: The Village Lodge

Transfer to airport for departure.

Meals included: Breakfast