Day 1
Fly Kathmandu to Paro, a spectacular flight through the high Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of the world’s highest glacial peaks where you’ll be greeted by views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and Bhutan’s very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. As your flight descends into Paro valley, you’ll get your first impression of Bhutan – forested hills; the silvery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below the idyllic Paro Dzong (fortress) located atop a hill overlooking the valley.

Upon arrival you’ll be received by your guide and then make the hour long drive to the Thimphu. Enroute you will stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang Monastery for a breath of fresh mountain air and to marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the 13th century bridge.

On arrival at your hotel in Thimphu you will have the opportunity to have some down time before heading off in the early evening to visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. Dinner tonight will be authentic Bhutanese cuisine.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 2
Today you will explore in and around Thimphu city. After breakfast, you will drive to Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169ft statue of Buddha Dordenma sits overlooking the valley enjoying a panoramic view of Thimphu city. From here you’ll head off on an easy 6km hike on one of the capital town’s favourite hiking to the Changangkha temple.

After visiting the temple, you will dead back to town for lunch in one of Thimphu’s favourite cafés, a great spot for people watching. After lunch you will visit some of the cultural treasures of the capital. First stop will be the Folk Heritage Museum, a 19th century traditional Bhutanese farmhouse providing glimpses of the Bhutanese lifestyle followed by the Royal Textile Museum & Academy which showcases Bhutan’s rich and famous textiles.

You will finish the day strolling around the Crafts Bazaar, a series of stalls stretched along Thimphu’s main street, each offering an array of locally made traditional Bhutanese handicrafts and textiles for sale. If it is the weekend, you’ll drive to the Centennial Market and Kaja Thorm markets to delve into the Bhutanese way of life as you explore the different stalls selling the local fruit and vegetables that make up Bhutanese cuisine. This is place where locals come and spend time enjoying meals and listening to live music.Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3
Today you’ll get out of the city and into the countryside. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Dochula Pass (3,140m). Situated atop the pass with a backdrop of Himalayan vistsas and fluttering prayer flags are the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that were built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. You’ll then drive to Lamperi, where you’ll have the opportunity to hike a short section of the Trans-Bhutan Trail, an old heritage trail that was recently restored, descending to Thinleygang village. This trail goes through dense ancient forests that are good for birds and rhododendrons when in season, while passing through scenic villages. A picnic lunch will be waiting for you at the end of the walk overlooking the valley’s paddy fields.

After lunch, you’ll drive to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang, also called the fertility monastery. The visit involves a short hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields. Here you’ll visit local artist who specilised in Thangka painting; Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.

Overnight in Punaka

Day 4
This morning you will drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a 45-minute scenic hike through paddy fields to the hill top where the stupa is situated. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and is the only one of its kind in the world. After returning back to your vehicle by the Punakha River, you’ll have the opportunity to see the local scenery from a different perspective as you drift down the valley by boat. This river trip is suitable for beginners and is also good opportunity to spot some of Bhutan’s bird life and in total takes about 3 hours. Upon arrival at your get-out point, a picnic lunch will be waiting for you on the river bank at the Zomlingthang picnic ground. While eating your lunch, you may have the opportunity to watch some locals enjoying a game of archery, the national sport of Bhutan.

Afer lunch you’ll drive to Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region..

From here you will drive to Gangtey Valley, your final destination for today

Overnight in Gangtey Valley

Day 5
After breakfast, you’ll head off to walk a nature trail around the roosting area of black-necked cranes, that only breed on the Tibetan Plateau and remote areas of India and Bhutan. This 1-2 hour moderate walk, will take you through villages heading along sloping, pathways lined by towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo, swaying together in a jumble of shadow and light. At the end of the bamboo enclave lies a small group of village houses, built in the distinct Bhutanese style, which feature elevated platforms, intricately carved timber window panes and wood-lined, arched roofs.

From here you’ll visit the famous Gantey Gompa monastery, spending some time with the monks living in the monastic school. Should you wish, you can join a meditation session.

This afternoon you willl drive back to Paro via the Dochula Pass, before heading to a local farmhouse to experience the traditional hot-stone bath and enjoy some local cuisine unique to this valley.

Overnight in Paro

Day 6
Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most famous attraction and perhaps the biggest highlight of the trip, an excursion to the famous Taktshang Monastery, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The monastery was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye, whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. It is slow climb to the monastery, covering over 800 steps, but well worth the effort. It is possible to hire a pony (at additional cost) to take you half way, but the final half is only accessible by foot.

On your way back to Paro you will stop to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan built during the 8th century and home to the original statue of Jowo Jamba, a sculture that is so sacred it is said that the mere sight of it can bring peace to one’s soul.

Once back at your hotel and after you have freshened up, it will be time for your farewell dinner and last opportunity to explore the streets and shops of Paro.Overnight in Paro

Day7
After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport for your return journey.

Day 1
Fly Kathmandu to Paro, a spectacular flight through the high Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of the world’s highest glacial peaks where you’ll be greeted by views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and Bhutan’s very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. As your flight descends into Paro valley, you’ll get your first impression of Bhutan – forested hills; the silvery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below the idyllic Paro Dzong (fortress) located atop a hill overlooking the valley.

Upon arrival you’ll be received by your guide and then make the hour long drive to the Thimphu. Enroute you will stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang Monastery for a breath of fresh mountain air and to marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the 13th century bridge.

On arrival at your hotel in Thimphu you will have the opportunity to have some down time before heading off in the early evening to visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan. Dinner tonight will be authentic Bhutanese cuisine.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 2
Today you will explore in and around Thimphu city. After breakfast, you will drive to Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169ft statue of Buddha Dordenma sits overlooking the valley enjoying a panoramic view of Thimphu city. From here you’ll head off on an easy 6km hike on one of the capital town’s favourite hiking to the Changangkha temple.

After visiting the temple, you will dead back to town for lunch in one of Thimphu’s favourite cafés, a great spot for people watching. After lunch you will visit some of the cultural treasures of the capital. First stop will be the Folk Heritage Museum, a 19th century traditional Bhutanese farmhouse providing glimpses of the Bhutanese lifestyle followed by the Royal Textile Museum & Academy which showcases Bhutan’s rich and famous textiles.

You will finish the day strolling around the Crafts Bazaar, a series of stalls stretched along Thimphu’s main street, each offering an array of locally made traditional Bhutanese handicrafts and textiles for sale. If it is the weekend, you’ll drive to the Centennial Market and Kaja Thorm markets to delve into the Bhutanese way of life as you explore the different stalls selling the local fruit and vegetables that make up Bhutanese cuisine. This is place where locals come and spend time enjoying meals and listening to live music.Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3
Today you’ll get out of the city and into the countryside. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Dochula Pass (3,140m). Situated atop the pass with a backdrop of Himalayan vistsas and fluttering prayer flags are the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that were built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. You’ll then drive to Lamperi, where you’ll have the opportunity to hike a short section of the Trans-Bhutan Trail, an old heritage trail that was recently restored, descending to Thinleygang village. This trail goes through dense ancient forests that are good for birds and rhododendrons when in season, while passing through scenic villages. A picnic lunch will be waiting for you at the end of the walk overlooking the valley’s paddy fields.

After lunch, you’ll drive to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang, also called the fertility monastery. The visit involves a short hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields. Here you’ll visit local artist who specilised in Thangka painting; Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.

Overnight in Punaka

Day 4
This morning you will drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a 45-minute scenic hike through paddy fields to the hill top where the stupa is situated. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and is the only one of its kind in the world. After returning back to your vehicle by the Punakha River, you’ll have the opportunity to see the local scenery from a different perspective as you drift down the valley by boat. This river trip is suitable for beginners and is also good opportunity to spot some of Bhutan’s bird life and in total takes about 3 hours. Upon arrival at your get-out point, a picnic lunch will be waiting for you on the river bank at the Zomlingthang picnic ground. While eating your lunch, you may have the opportunity to watch some locals enjoying a game of archery, the national sport of Bhutan.

Afer lunch you’ll drive to Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region..

From here you will drive to Gangtey Valley, your final destination for today

Overnight in Gangtey Valley

Day 5
After breakfast, you’ll head off to walk a nature trail around the roosting area of black-necked cranes, that only breed on the Tibetan Plateau and remote areas of India and Bhutan. This 1-2 hour moderate walk, will take you through villages heading along sloping, pathways lined by towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo, swaying together in a jumble of shadow and light. At the end of the bamboo enclave lies a small group of village houses, built in the distinct Bhutanese style, which feature elevated platforms, intricately carved timber window panes and wood-lined, arched roofs.

From here you’ll visit the famous Gantey Gompa monastery, spending some time with the monks living in the monastic school. Should you wish, you can join a meditation session.

This afternoon you willl drive back to Paro via the Dochula Pass, before heading to a local farmhouse to experience the traditional hot-stone bath and enjoy some local cuisine unique to this valley.

Overnight in Paro

Day 6
Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most famous attraction and perhaps the biggest highlight of the trip, an excursion to the famous Taktshang Monastery, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The monastery was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye, whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. It is slow climb to the monastery, covering over 800 steps, but well worth the effort. It is possible to hire a pony (at additional cost) to take you half way, but the final half is only accessible by foot.

On your way back to Paro you will stop to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan built during the 8th century and home to the original statue of Jowo Jamba, a sculture that is so sacred it is said that the mere sight of it can bring peace to one’s soul.

Once back at your hotel and after you have freshened up, it will be time for your farewell dinner and last opportunity to explore the streets and shops of Paro.Overnight in Paro

Day7
After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport for your return journey.