When you arrive at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your tour guide just outside the arrival hall. At 7,333 ft. above sea level, you will likely notice the effect of the high altitude, so we will give you time to acclimatise as we take a short drive to Thimphu and check into your hotel. In Thimphu, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the 3^rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Thimphu Dzong, the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan, the Motithang Takin Reserve, home to the national animal of Bhutan. Thereafter, you will visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue which is the largest sitting statue of Buddha in the world. You can also enjoy the night walking around Thimphu Town after dinner.

You will travel to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan until 1955 and drive through Dochula Pass, a popular tourist spot that provides stunning views of the Himalayas. There are 108 chortens, that were built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India. In Punakha, you will visit the Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. You will also visit the Pho Chhu suspension bridge, which is 160 metres long and gives breath-taking views of the Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu valley.

You will drive through Dochula Pass, a popular tourist spot that provides stunning views of the Himalayas. There are 108 chortens, that were built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India. You will witness the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Built in 1638, Wangdue Dzong is dramatically perched on the spur of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu Rivers.

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is an area with a wide variety of fauna and flora. The Guru Rinpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) making Bumthang his home have led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley.

In the morning, we will hike to the Tamshing Goemba, built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. We will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang (left-bottom), one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by the Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with his body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion.

We will also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 by Tibetan King Sontsen Gampo to pin down a demoness who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Come October, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most colourful festivals in Bhutan.

Jakar Dzong – pitched on a high ground overlooking the town junction, it was built as monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang district

In the afternoon, we will hike up toThangbi Valley, crossing a suspension bridge to visit theThangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century via an unpaved road.
 

Me-Bar Tsho (Burning Lake) One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, the holy lake is said to be one of the holiest lakes in Bhutan. Long time ago, Terton Pema Lingpa (Buddhist saint and treasure discoverer) dived into the lake while holding a burning butter lamp on one hand. Several hours later when he came out of the lake, he was holding some relics one one hand and the butter lamp on his other hand was still burning. Thus the lake was called Me-Bar Tsho (Me-bar=Burning Tsho=Lake)

Ugyen Choling Palace Our journey about 2hours drive, we stop at a roadside temple and a nunnery, ending in the Tang valley and the village of Kesum. From the road head we have a one-hour hike over a suspension footbridge, through farm fields and cluster villages, up a “hill” to the mystical Ugyen Choling Palace where we will spend nights in the owner’s guesthouse or in the Dzong.

Ugyen Choling Palace built 17th century by Deb Tsokey Dorji, a descendant of Buddhist Saint Dorje Lingpa. Ugyen Choling is a national treasure, privately owned by the same family for hundreds of years. Its remote location makes it one of the less frequently visited historical sites in Bhutan, hosting fewer than two hundred guests per year. One of the owners wrote a book on Bhutanese folk tales of the Yeti and her brother is the property’s caretaker.

The best part of the Palace is the quaint museum housing permanent exhibits on three floors in the main building and the Utse, the central tower. Traditional living quarters are recreated to capture the realistic ambiance of the ancient lifestyles and conditions of the households. Everyday kitchen and weaving utensils, war weapons–including petrified yak dung to make gunpowder–tools and farming implements are the main part of the exhibits In the evening, villagers (mostly single ladies looking to meet our guides and drivers) will come to the Palace for an evening of cultural entertainment. You’re invited to join in the singing and dancing.

On route to Gangtey is Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty.

Trongsa, literally “New Town” in the Dzongkha language, is where the current monarchy had its origin in Bhutan. Each King in the line of succession has held the post of Trongsa Penlop or Governor before donning the Raven Crown.

Trongsa Dzong – The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th century by by Pema Lingpa. The Dzong flourished during the 17th century under Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal. With its massive structure, its wall looming high above the winding Mangde Chu Valley, the Dzong commands the east-west road.

Taa Dzong – Built as a watchtower the Taa Dzong has since been turned into a Heritage Museum. A book on this prominent Dzong is written by Christian Schicklgruber entitled The Tower of Trongsa, Religion and Power in Bhutan.

After a short 30-45 minutes’ hike from Phobjikha valley to Gangtey monastery, you will drive to Paro via the Docchula pass.

Paro Valley – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro. Paro Dzong – Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts

Taktsang Monastery– A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Payer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8^th century.

Kyichu Lhakhang– After lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan.