Bhutan Uncovered

Day 1: Arrive in Paro 
Arrive at Paro by flight. On arrival, you will be received by your guide and your driver. After refreshment, drive across the valley to visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. The conical-shaped building was once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th Century. The Museum holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha (scrolls), paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamp collection.
In the evening, sample local cuisine for dinner at a popular restaurant.

Night halt: Paro

Day 2: Haa Valley Day Visit
After breakfast, leave for the Haa valley for a day visit, 70 km away. The drive to Haa will take you up the Chele la pass (3810m), one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. Drive along the winding road, down to the valley below. Visit the two monasteries of Lhakhang Karpo (white) and the nearby Lhakhang Nakpo (black). In the evening, slowly make your way back to Paro.

Night halt: Paro

Day 3: Paro Tshechu (Festival)
After breakfast, you will make your way to the beautiful Rinpung Dzong (fortress) where you will attend the first day of the popular Paro Tshechu (festival) for the day. The five-day festival takes place in the grounds next to the Dzong.
Monks and laymen perform masked dances and every mask dance performed during a Tsechu has a special meaning depicting ancient events and teachings in Buddhism. Mingle with the crowd dressed colourfully and soak in the enchanting festivity around. You will then drive to Thimphu, the capital, 60 km away, sightseeing along the way.

Night halt: Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu Full Day Sightseeing
Today, you will visit some of the landmarks in the city. Make your way across the town to visit the Zorig Chusum Institute, which literally translates as the thirteen (chusum) arts and crafts (zorig) of Bhutan. Visit Simply Bhutan – the ‘living museum’ that depicts Bhutan’s ancient cultural heritage. After lunch, take a walk in the town visit the Royal Postal Museum to learn about Bhutan’s development story through the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. Later, take a short drive to the Takin Nature Preserve and see the unique animals grazing on the mountainside. Later in the evening, take a short drive to see the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma, standing at a height of 51.5 metres, it is one of the biggest and tallest Buddha statues in the world.

Night halt: Thimphu

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast, make your way to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Stopover at Dochhu La (3,050m) to enjoy the view of the spectacular Himalayan ranges in the horizon and visit beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. Stopover at the Lampheri Botanical Park where you will see the rhododendron flowers in full bloom in their natural habitat this time of the year.
Continue your journey to Punakha. Stopover at Lobesa to visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang (monastery) which sits snugly on a hilltop. Visit the lovely Punakha Dzong (fortress) – the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in the country. Evening at leisure

Night halt: Punakha/Wangduephodrang

Day 6: Punakha – Phobjikha

Spend the morning to visit the charming Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten (stupa) which sits on a ridge overlooking the valley. The view of the lush valley below from the top is breathtaking. After lunch, you will slowly make your way to Phobjikha valley, 80 km away. You will pass the newly renovated Wangdue Dzong. Soon you will leave the highway and drive down a narrow winding road to Phobjikha Valley.
It is one of the three winter roosting grounds in the country for the endangered black-necked cranes, who fly in every winter from Tibet and Central Asia to escape the bitter cold.
Night halt: Phobjikha Valley

Day 7: Phobjikha – Punakha
In the morning, visit the lovely 17th century Gangtey Monastery that sits on a ridge surrounded by the clustered Gangtey village. Later visit the Black-Necked Crane Education Centre, a conservation NGO, to learn more about the cranes.
After lunch, you will slowly make your way back to Punakha.
Night halt: Punakha

Day 8: Punakha to Paro
In the morning, you will visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang (monastery) which sits snugly on a hilltop. The Monastery is also known as the ‘Temple of Fertility’ dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who is also known as the Divine Madman.
Take a walk across one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu.
In the afternoon, slowly make your way to Paro, 120 km away. Take a leisurely drive with plenty of stops along the way. Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Paro

Day 09: Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Today, you will trek up the mountain to view the magnificent Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) that clings dramatically on a huge rock cliff, 900 m above the valley.
The 2-3 hours easy-medium hike (steep climb towards the end) takes you along winding footpaths and through pine forests with spectacular views of the wide valley below.
Later in the afternoon, drive along the scenic route to see the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong (built 1647 which is currently under renovation. On a clear day, you will see the magnificent Mt. Jhomolhari (7313m) in the distance.
Night halt: Paro

Day 10: Depart from Bhutan
Your tour ends and depart from Paro on your onward journey.