ITINERARY

1st Day - (Monday 15th April): Paro Airport to Thimphu - Pick up
• Approx Distance: 55 Km • Est. Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Meet & Greet on arrival at Paro Airport and transfer to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan.
• On arrival check in at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to relax at the hotel or take a leisure walk around the Thimphu City.
• Overnight stay at Thimphu.

 

2nd Day - (Tuesday 16th April): Thimphu - Sightseeing
• After breakfast visit the Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Dordenma). Located at a short drive from Thimphu City Centre, Kuenselphodrang offers a good overview of the Thimphu valley. The largest statue of Buddha in the country sits here which houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues.
• Then visit the Simply Bhutan and visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon visit Sangaygang View Point. The Lookout point offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire Thimphu.
• On the way back visit the Takin Preserve Centre. Takin is the National animal of Bhutan.
• Then visit the Government Post office and make personalized stamps. Post a Card to your friends and families back home. Also visit the Stamp Museum.
• Then visit the Centenary Farmer’s Market (Subject to weekends).
• After that proceed to the Royal Textile Academy. Interact with weavers in the Textile Academy to see how the traditional Bhutanese fabrics are woven. They also have a a good collection of exclusive and antique Bhutanese textile artifacts.
• Overnight stay at Thimphu.

 

3rd Day - (Wednesday 17th April): Thimphu to Punakha/Wangdue - Transfer and Sightseeing
• Approx Distance: 78 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours
• After breakfast drive to Punakha/Wangdue (4298 ft.), on the way Stop at Dochu-La-Pass (10334 ft.) to view the higher Himalayas. The pass is approximately 25 kms away from Thimphu and is the highest point between the Thimphu and Punakha/Wangdue Valley. Another attraction is the 108 chorten/stupas (Druk Wangyel Chortens) built close to each other surrounded by numerous colorful prayer flags.
• On arrival at Punakha, check in at the hotel. Afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. After that visit Suspension Bridge.
• Evening free for leisure.
• Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

4th Day - (Thursday 18th April): Punakha/Wangdue - Gangtey/Phobjikha Excursion or Punakha Sightseeing
• Approx Distance: 78 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours
• After breakfast, start for full day excursion trip to Gangtey Valley (9,842 ft.). On the way you shall come across different flora and fauna, monuments, villages and people. Stop at places for sightseeing and photography. While in Gangtey visit the Gangtey Goemba the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan, which was established in the 17th century. Then explore the Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas and the winter roosting place for the endangered Black necked Cranes which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north. You may choose to hike around the Valley. After visiting the valley drive back to Punakha. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.
• OR
• Alternatively, instead of going to Gangtey / Phobjikha, you also have an option of spending the day in Punakha Valley itself. After breakfast hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is about 45 Mins easy hike to the top of the hill. It offers a breath-taking view of the Punakha Valley. After that visit Punakha Suspension Bridge which is one of the longest in Bhutan. Later visit The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa village, Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys.
• Rest of the day free for leisure.
• Overnight stay in Punakha / Wangdue. 5th Day - (Friday 19th April): Punakha/Wangdue to Paro - Transfer and Sightseeing
• Approx Distance: 125 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours
• After breakfast drive to Paro (7,483 ft.). On the way stop at Lamperi to visit Royal Botanical Park. This park is a treat for nature lovers as the 36 species of exotic rhododendron and approximately 220 types of charming birds will make your day unforgettable.
• On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc. Then visit the Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". The dzong now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro.
• Rest of the evening at leisure.
• Overnight stay at Paro.

6th Day - (Saturday 20th April): Paro - Chele-La-Pass and Haa Valley Excursion
• Approx Distance: 65 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours
• After breakfast, drive to Chele-La-Pass (13,088 ft.) – the highest motorable Passes in Bhutan. It is approximately around 2 hrs drive uphill along a densely-populated forest road and beautiful natural sights. Stop at places for photography and for bird watching (if a bird watcher). The Pass is beautifully marked by hundreds of prayers flags and provides stunning views of Mountain Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Haa Valley.
• Drive further to Haa Valley. While in Haa, visit the 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (White temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black temple) at the foothills of a venerated three brotherly mountains known as Meri Puensum. The grand annual Haa Tshechu is also performed here in the Lhakhang Karpo. Try “Hoentay” the famous culinary delight that is synonymous with Haa which is made from buckwheat flour and filled with spinach, chopped turnips, mushrooms, ginger, chili and butter. Nature lovers will find Haa Valley to be a paradise of beauty as its diversity in flora and fauna is unparalleled.
• Drive back to Paro.
• Overnight Stay at Hotel in Paro 7th Day - (Sunday 21st April): Paro Hotel to Paro Airport - Drop
• After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Paro Airport for your onward journey.