Duration: 11 nights / 12 days
Day 01. Arrive Paro. (Altitude 2400 m)
Our Guide from Ola Tours and Trek will receive you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.
- Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968)
- Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”).
Optional activities you can choose:
- Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
- Hike to Nunnery.
- Village walk.
- Mountain biking around Paro valley.
Day 02. Paro Sightseeing -Thimphu. (Altitude 2320 m, Distance 58 km, Drive Time 1 .5 hour):
- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A D
- Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647, now in ruins
In the evening, drive to Thimphu. On the way, view Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo.
Day 03. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m).
- National Memorial Chorten (1974)
- Painting School
- Traditional Medicine
After lunch,
- Bhutanese paper factory at work
- Tashichho Dzong
- Handicrafts Emporium.
Optional Activities you can choose:
- Weekend Market
- Hike to Cheri Monastery / Tango Monastery / Phajoding Monastery.
- Village walk at Kabisa.
- Mountain biking around Thimphu
Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m, Distance 76 km, Drive Time 2 hours):
- Dochula – You can see the higher Himalayas, if the weather permits
- Royal Botanical Park at Lam Pelri.
- Chhimi Lhakhang – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “Divine Madman”.
After lunch,
- Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Drive to Talo Goenpa
- Khamsum Yulley Lhakhang
- Rafting in Mo Chhu/ Pho Chhu
Day 05. Punakha – Gangtey (Altitude 3120 m).
After breakfast visit to:
- Wangdiphodrang Dzong
- Gangtey Gompa – Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup.
After lunch,
- Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter.
Optional activities you can choose:
Day 06. Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang: (Altitude 2800 m) ( Distance 188 km, Drive Time 3 hour drives.)
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa and visit to:
- Trongsa Dzong- built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.
- Ta Dzong – an ancient watch tower
After lunch, drive to Bumthang.
Day 07. Bumthang Sightseeing: (Altitude 2800 m.)
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang and visit to
- Jakar Dzong – Founded by great grand-father of the first Zhabdrung, the Dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549.
- Jambay Lhakhang – built in the 7th century by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo.
After lunch, visit to:
- Kurjey Lhakhang – Kurje Lhakhang consists of three temples. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten wall.
- Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message) – founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the re-incarnation of Guru Padsambhava.
- Membarstho (Literally means “The Burning Lake”) – in Tang valley is a wide spot on the Tang Chhu (chhu – water / river) considered to be one of the greatest pilgrimage sites of Bhutan.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Tharpaling Monastery: This excursion begins with 30 minute drive to Lamigompa. The hike will take about 5hours.
- Ngang Lhakhang: It is three hours walk from Thangbi Goenpa.
- Walk to Bathpalathang and visit Red Panda Beer factory, Swiss cheese factory.
Day 08. Excursion to Ura valley & back to Bumthang (Altitude 3100 m, Distance 51 kms, Drive Time 2 hour drive):
After breakfast, Excursion to the beautiful valley of Ura. While in Ura, visit Ura village which is a cluster of houses and Ura Temple. Dinner and overnight in Swiss Guest House or similar.
Optional activities you can choose:
- Tharpaling Monastery: This excursion begins with 30 minute drive to Lamigompa. The hike will take about 5hours.
- Walk to Bathpalathang and visit Red Panda Beer factory, Swiss cheese factory.
Day 09. Bumthang – Thimphu (212 km about 6 hours):
After early breakfast, drive to Thimphu.
Day 10. Thimphu: (Altitude 2320 m).
After breakfast,
- Excursion to Cheri Monastery.
After lunch, visit
- Takin Preserve Centre
- Sangay Gang view point
- The Tallest Statue of Buddha.
Optional Activities you can choose:
- Tango Monastery / Phajoding Monastery.
- Village walk at Kabisa.
- Mountain biking around Thimphu
Day 11. Thimphu – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m)(54km, 1.5 hrs).
After breakfast, drive to Paro
- Hike to Drakarpo. Picnic lunch will be served.
In the evening, visit
Optional activities you can choose:
- Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
- Hike to Nunnery.
- Village walk.
- Mountain biking around Paro valley.
Day 12. Departure: (Altitude 2280 m) Early morning, drive to Airport and Farewell.
