Bhutan Uncovered

Day 1: Arrive. Paro to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro by flight. Your flight into Bhutan takes you over the Mighty Himalayas with the spectacular views of the snow-peaked mountains. 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: Paro Tshechu (Festival) Visit
After breakfast, you will make your way to the beautiful Rinpung Dzong (fortress) where you will attend the second 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 Thimphu, the capital, 60 km away. Stop over by the road to make a small detour to visit the charming Tamchhog Lhakhang (monastery), situated across the river near Chuzom. Continue your short journey to Thimphu. Spend evening at leisure and enjoy local cuisine at a popular restaurant in town.
Night halt: Thimphu

Day 3: 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. You will meet the talented artists and students at work. 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 4: 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 5: Punakha – Phobjikha
After breakfast, 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 6: Phobjikha – Trongsa
In the morning, visit the lovely 17th century Gangtey Monastery that sits on a ridge surrounded by the clustered Gangtey village. Later visit the Royal Society for Protection of Nature Centre (RSPN), a conservation NGO, to learn more about the cranes.
After lunch, you will slowly make your way to Trongsa, 125 km away.
As you drive along, you will soon come across the lovely Chendibji Chorten (stupa), a white-domed shaped stupa constructed in similar style to the famous Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. You will soon come upon the magnificent Trongsa Dzong. The16th Century Trongsa Dzong is the largest and most impressive dzong in the country.
Night halt: Trongsa

Day 7: Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast, visit the lovely Trongsa Dzong and later leave for Bumthang. You will pass Yotong La pass (3551m) from where you will descend down and enter Bumthang district. Bumthang is also known for the local textile called yathra, woven from sheep and yak wool.
Night halt: Bumthang

Day 8: Bumthang full day sightseeing
Today, you will spend a leisurely day in the beautiful valley of Bumthang, often called the ‘spiritual heartland’ of the country as the valley houses some of the most revered and ancient monasteries in the country. Some of the them are – the lovely seventh century built Jambay Lhakhang and the three temples of Kurjey Lhakhang. The sprawling Bumthang valley is a delightful place to explore on foot. Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang full day sightseeing
Continue your tour of Bumthang valley. Take a scenic drive to the lovely Tang valley to visit the Ogyen Choling Museum. You will pass by several villages and ancient monasteries and pilgrimage sites along the way. On the way back to Chamkhar town, visit Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake), one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Bhutan, located just off the highway.
Night halt: Bumthang

Day 10: Bumthang – Paro
After breakfast, you will fly back to Paro. The flight is less than half an hour.
In Paro, drive across the valley to visit the lovely Ta Dzong (fortress), the National Museum of Bhutan. The conical shaped building was once a watchtower and now holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha (scrolls), paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamp collection. Just below the Museum is the lovely Rinpung Dzong, built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founding father of Bhutan. Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Paro

Day 11: 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 12: Depart from Bhutan
Your tour ends and depart from Paro on your onward journey.