Bring your group and join us for this special tour! The monsoons will be over, but they are never much trouble in Bhutan. The weather will be nice, the rice will be ripening and the festivals getting underway.

September 15

Day 01: Arrive Paro from Bangkok at 10:30 AM.
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International airport, you will be received by your tour representative who will escort you to the hotel.

Lunch at the hotel

Drive to Drugyal Dzong ( a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town ). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Chomolhari " Mountain of Goddess " can be seen on a clear day. 
Visit a farm house along the way

Visit Chime Lhagang and Zhilukha nunnery.

Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Visit the National museum ( Ta-Dzong ). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river.

Picnic lunch along the banks of the Paro river

Visit Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower ( Utse ) of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. 

Evening: Drive to Thimphu on a winding road along the 
Paro and Thimphu rivers. It takes about 2 hrs. The distance is 65kms.

Check in at hotel

Day 03: Attend first day of Thimphu Tsechu.

Day 04: Attend Thimphu Tsechu in the morning

Afternoon: Sightseeing in Thimphu 
Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased.

Visit the newly opened Textile Museum

Visit Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.

Overnight at hotel

Day 05: Visit the National Library where a vast collection of ancient manuscripts are preserved.

Visit the Painting and wood craft school where children are taught the traditional art of wood craft and painting.

Lunch at the hotel/ or a local restaurant

Drive up to Dechencholing ( 6kms from Thimphu town ) to view the Palace of the Queen Mother. You may also visit a small, beautiful monastery on top of a hill there.

Visit the Indigenous hospital where the tradition of healing with herbs and plants is still practiced. Meet with a "dungsho" or doctor and even get diagnosed!

Visit Simtokha Dzong ( Dzong means Fortress ). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. It houses one of the largest monastic schools in the country.

PM: Drive to Punakha - about 77 KMs - 2 and a half hours drive.

Check into hotel

Day 06: Punakha to Jakar /Bumthang

After an early breakfast, leave for Bumthang. The journey takes about 9 hrs (210 kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. This is a long driving day but well worth it.

Lunch stop along the way

Check into guest house.

Day 07: A full day excursion to Ura Valley
( 65kms from Bumthang ).
Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening.

Overnight in guest house

Day 08: Attend Tangbi Mani festival.

Day 09: Bumthang sight seeing

Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi ( Temporal ruler ) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference.

Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs.

Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso " The flaming Lake " which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.

After dinner drive to Trongsa. Overnight in Trongsa

Day 10: Trongsa - Gangtey / Phobjikha - Punakha
After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey valley. It takes about 4 hours to get there. 
Gangtey is a beautiful place surrounded by snowcapped mountains in the distance with a landscape of rolling hills and green meadows. It is situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa (Gantey monastery) is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. The monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens ( Lay Monks ) who take care of the Monastery. The Gangtey Gompa is the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and is also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.

This valley is the winter home to the endangered Black Necked cranes who migrate from Siberia to Bhutan.
Evening drive to Punakha which takes about 4 hours. Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Punakha to Paro - 3 hours drive
After an early breakfast, drive to Paro with a stop at Dochula Pass, some 10,000 ft high and enjoy a most spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges( view possible only on a clear day).

Check into hotel and lunch

After noon: Visit Tiger's Nest
Drive up to Satsam Chorten ( 10 km from Paro Town ) and from there walk to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means " Tiger's Nest ". The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro Valley. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites in the Himalayan world and it has 13 holy places. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pelphug. According to the legend, Taktsang Monastery was founded by Guru Padamasanbhava in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated for three months in a cave at Taktsang and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism.

This hike takes 4 hours round trip.

Day 12: Sep 26, 2002 

Departure from Paro to Kathmandu. You won't want to leave.

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