Paro to Thimphu

Arrive at Paro, clear immigration and customs. I will meet as you exit the airport and take you to the hotel. hotel. Orientation. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan and Paro Dzong. Overnight at hotel.

Thimphu to Punakha

Morning you will drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,150 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 2 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdom. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Hotel:

Punakha Halt

In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.Take a picnic lunch on a picturesque riverside after picnic lunch, Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the “Unifier of Bhutan”. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

Punakha to Bumthang.

Today morning you will drive to Bumthang (195kms 6hrs drive) crossing the Pelela Pass(3350m)The Pelela pass is  boundary between Eastern and western of Bhutan.After driving more further downhill you will see beautiful landscape with cluster households called Rukopjee and Chendebji.You will have a lunch on the way.After lunch you will visit the massive Tongsa Dzong. It was Shabdrung’s great – grandfather who founded the first temple at Tongsa in 1543. In 1647 the Shabdrung had begun his great work of expansion and unification, realizing all the advantages that could be gained from Tongsa’s position; he constructed the first Dzong at the place where his ancestors had erected the temple. The Dzong was called Choekor Rabtentse. In 1652, Minjur Tenpa, the Penlop of Tongsa, had the Dzong enlarged. The Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler comes from, he was obliged to pass through the courtyard of the Dzong. This helped to make the Penlop of this Dzong as powerful as it had a complete control over the east – west traffic. The watch tower above the Dzong  further strengthened its defense. The father of the first king known as the black regent and the first king served as the Governor of Tongsa before the emergence of the Bhutanese Monarchy, since then it has become a tradition for the young crown prince to serve as the Governor of this place before he is crowned.After Trongsa Dzong we drive another 2 hours crossing Yotongla pass to Bumthang. Overnight at Hotel.

Bumthang Halt.

Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m. In the morning we will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).After lunch, we will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later, we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, and then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge.Overnight at  hotel

Bumthang to Ngang Lhakhang.10kms,5-6hrs.

Nagang Lhakang to Ugyen Choling, 5-6hrs 10 kms walk at about the same altitude.Today you will just follow the feeder road which goes to Nagang village and our campsite is at Nagang Lhakhang.Tented camp.

Ngang Lhangkhang to Ugyen Chholing.18kms,6-7hrs.

Today our trial is gradual uphill in pine / Oak and bamboo forest till summits points.Before descent we will have a luncg break and continue our journey to campi site..

Bumthang to Gangtey

Early morning start your journey to Gangtey( winter home for one of the most beautiful birds called black necked crane) by across keke-la (2,750m), we will make a brief stop at Chumey Village, where we will see the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. On our further drive to Trongsa, we will come another pass called Yongtongla(3640m)The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and its impressive Dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road suddenly leads you into the town.. On our further drive to Gangtey, the traditional boundary between western and eastern Bhutan right on the western edge of Black Mountain National Park. Further down the road, stop to visit Chendebji Chorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points. In Gangtey visit the biggest and only Nyingmapa monastery western part of Bhutan now controlled by Government. Overnight at hotel.

Gangtey to Paro

After breakfast you can start a nature trail hike (4 km 2hrs) through the marshy dwarf bamboo and blue pines which also decorated by long old man beard hanging from the trees. Every winter we can see around 300 to 400 black necked crane roosting in this marshy area. After hike, drive another two and half hours to reach Punakha. After lunch in Punakha you will drive to Thimphu,re-routed to Dochula pass,one of the most beautiful along the highway with 108 stops. If weather permits, you will enjoy the eastern Himalaya snow capped mountains, including highest peak of Bhutan, drive continue to pray. Overnight hotel.

Paro Taktsang Day excursion.

After Breakfast hike to Taktsang monastery.The trail is broad and the walk of 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the paro valley floor.The tigernest built on a sheer cliff face 900meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.The monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists.The great guru Rimpoche is sais to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brough the teaching of the buddhist dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century.He then mediated in a cave there for more than three months where the monastery was later built.On thereturn visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang,oldest templein Bhutan and one of 108 temples built by buddhist Tibetan King.overnight at Hotel .

Paro to Bangkok.

Drive to airport in time to check in for your early morning departure.