Altitude of Paro: 2280 m

The panoramic Himalayan views shall be mesmerizing as you fly to Bhutan. The Landing is another experience.  Upon arrival you will be greeted by your Bhutanese Guide from Ideal Travel Creations. Check in Hotel and spend some time in the property settling into your new surroundings.

Afternoon, you shall be taken for your first foray into this Hidden Kingdom. This afternoon in the Paro Valley shall allow you to acclimatize to the air at this altitude, as well as getting yourself introduced to this Kingdom where you shall spend the next 14 days.

Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school in Paro. The Monastic body and government office of Paro is housed in this fortress and is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan’s Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. Visit the Paro National Museum, which displays a collection of fascinating Bhutanese relics.

Explore the Paro Town. Visit Coffee shops, handicraft shops and interact with the locals.

Welcome Dinner with your Bhutanese Hosts. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Paro Airport and fly Bumthang. Your guide shall receive you at the Bathpalathang Airport and then drive to hotel. Freshen up at the hotel and relax for some time.

After lunch, visit the Tamshing Lhakhang and the Könchogsum Lhakhang. As you reach Bathpalathang, visit the cheese and apple juice/wine making factory. Taste the Locally made red panda beer here.

Explore the Chamkhar Town before settling down in your hotel.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Your day starts with a visit to the Jakar Dzong, literally meaning the Castle of White Bird. The current structure was built in 1667. Visit the Wangdichholing Palace which was the home to the First and Second Kings of Bhutan. Continue your day’s sightseeing with visits to Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang.

In the afternoon, visit the Thangbi Lhakhang . Founded by Shamar Rinpoche in 1470, the lhakhang is a 4 km drive from the Kuje Lhakhang. The main chapel houses the statues of Dusum Sangay or the past, present and the future Buddha. Every Year on the eight lunar month, the Thangbi Mani festival together with Mewang 9fire ceremony is conducted here.

Finally visit the Ngang yul, meaning “Swan Land”. It is small village approximately 10 km drive from Thangbi Goemba. It was visited by Guru Rinpoche and has a beautiful temple called Ngang Lhakhang, built by Lama Namkha Samdrup. The temple contains amazing paintings and statues including a special statue of Guru rinpoche made by the Buddhist missionary Shatarakshita and Tibetan King Trisong Detsen. The walls are decorated with stunning murals of Zhabdrung, and there’s an image of Guru Rinpoche sitting gracefully on a lotus surrounded by swan-like ducks. Upstairs, a special room called goenkhang with statues of Tsepame, Namse, Drolma, and Chenrigse. You’ll also notice masks hanging from the ceiling, which are used during the three-day Ngang Bi Rabney festival in the middle of the 10th month of the Bhutanese calendar to honor the founder of the temple.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Bumthang/Jakar – Ura: 45 km/ 1.5 Hr | Altitude of Ura: 3100 m

Ura – Trongsa: 81 km/ 2.5 Hr | Altitude of Trongsa: 2170 m

After breakfast, drive towards Tang Valley. On the way visit the Membar Tsho, also known as “The burning Lake”. It is one of the most sacred sites in the region and relates to the famous treasure revealer, Terton Pema Lingpa. 

Drive further to Ura Valley. Ura is one of the 4 subdistricts (Gewog) of the Bumthang district (Dzongkhag) and the valley has  a blend of legend and history. In the heart of the Ura Valley lies the Ura village. It consists of about 50 clustered houses in a traditional setting . It is unfabricated by modernization and the whole layout gives you a feel of the medieval period. Named after Guru Padmasambhava who is said to have passed through the valley while he came for the first time in Bhutan. The village came to be called Urbay, the hidden land of Ugyen. The second coming of the Guru is remembered and celebrated with the Yakchoe, the grand annual festival or Ura.

Drive to Chhumey valley throught beautiful villages of Tangsibji. While in Chhumey Valley. Visit the yathre factory. It is the most famous textile product of Bumthang. The Chhumey Valley is known for the beautiful Yathra woven by the locals. Yathra is a hand-woven fabric made from the wool of sheep or Yak. The wool is first spun into threads and then dyed before they are woven into Yathra with beautiful flower patterns and colors. The Yathra cloth is made into scarves, jackets, tablecloths, bags, etc. Most of the women in this valley, especially in Zungye village earn their lively hood by weaving Yathra which is supplied to various towns in Bhutan.

Drive further to Trongsa with a stoppage for photography in gyetsha Village and then the Yotongla Pass, the highest point between Bumthang and Trongsa.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Driving Distance: 81 km | Driving Time: 2.5 Hr | Altitude of Gangtey: 3000 m

After breakfast, visit the Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Zhabdrung to unify Eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. The first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. It currently houses the National Museum of Bhutan.

After lunch, drive to Gangtey/ Phobjikha amidst breathtaking views, beautiful landscapes and interesting experiences. Visit the Chendebji Chorten, built in the style of the great Boudhanath Chorten of Nepal.

Drive via Pelela Pass at 3300 m and and then via Lawala Pass at 3250 m to finally reach Gangtey/ Phobjikha Valley. Check in Hotel. In the evening, free time to relax in the hotel.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Start your day with a visit to the Gangtey Goemba overlooking the large green expanse of the Phobjikha Valley. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple.

Hike the Gangtey Nature Trail. The trail starts at the 17th century Gangtey Monastery. The two-hour gentle trek lets you get immersed in the beautiful Phobjikha valley.  Visit the Khewang Lhakhang and interact with the young monks.  Explore the nearby villages for a while.

Picnic Lunch in the Phobjikha Valley. After lunch drive towards the villages of Kilkhorthang and Remeachin. Visit the Nelung Dreachagling Nunnery and the villages around. Witness farmers working in the field and enjoy taking photographs in this beautiful Glacial valley.

On the way back visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane watching equipment (binoculars, spotting scopes) and reference books.

Dinner and overnight in Gangtey Lodge. 

Driving Distance: 80 km | Driving Time: 2.5 hr | Altitude of Punakha: 1250 m

In the morning, drive to Punakha with ample stoppages on the way to enjoy anything interesting that comes along the way. After Lawala Pass, the road goes hill through pine forests often encountering small villages, where women spinning yarns on their porches, older men idling their time and children frolicking around could be the most common sights till you reach Chuzomsa.

From Chuzomsa (the confluence of the Dang Chhu and the Pe Chhu), drive along the slopes of bare hills following the river (Drang Chhu) until you reach Wangdue. Explore the Bajo Town

After lunch, visit Chimi Lhakhang. Also known as the temple of fertility, the temple was built by Lam Drukpa Kuenley. the revered ‘Divine Madman’ and Buddhist ‘crazy wisdom.’ A lot of graphic phallus paintings and crafts might surprise you in the nearby areas.  Explore the Khuruthang town for a while and then finally visit the Punakha dzong at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu River. Addition to its appealing looks this Majestic Dzong stands six stories high. Walk over the one of the country’s longest suspension bridges and enjoy the breathing views, soothing breeze and a beautiful experience.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Start your day with a Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chhorten. An hour of walk after crossing the suspension bridge and through the rice fields takes you to magnificent views and the Chhorten, beautifully crafted in traditional Bhutanese style. With the intricate design and sculptures, the temple was built by Bhutanese craftsmen which took 9 years. The craftsmanship of Bhutanese artists is amazing. The 360-degree views of the Punakha valley’s rice fields and the shimmering river shall ensure that the sweating was worth.

An hour of rafting on the Mo Chhu shall bring you near the Punakha Dzong.  A Picnic lunch at the Banks of the Mo chhu.

Spend some time with the Nuns at the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. Visit the Nalanda Buddhist University and the Talo Goenpa.

Drive back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Driving Distance: 76 km | Driving Time: 2 hr | Altitude of Thimphu: 2350 m

After a nice breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Explore the Lobesa Village for a while. Interact with the local vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables and other local produce.

On the way explore the Royal Botanical Park for a while. Stop at the Dochula Pass (3150 m), the highest point between Thimphu and Punakha valleys. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the higher Himalayas, explore the 108 Druk Wangyel Chhortens and then visit the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang.

Lunch at Thimphu. After lunch, stroll around Clock Tower Square and Craft Bazaar. Visit the Voluntary Artists studio Thimphu (VAST) and the Kaja Throm.

In the evening visit impressive Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion) which houses the Throne Room and the Offices of His Majesty the King as well as the Je Khenpo, seniormost religious authority of Bhutan.

Dinner and Overnight in Hotel.

After a leisure breakfast, join the Local residents of Thimphu for circumambulations at the National Memorial Chorten, built in the honor of the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, also known as “The Father of Modern Bhutan”. Drive towards Kuenselphodrang. On the way visit Hindu Temple formally known as Devi Panchayan Mandir which was consecrated on 1st October 2019. His Majesty, The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck offered worship and granted “Tika” to the Hindu Communities on the Dussehra on 1019 in this temple. Further in Kuenselphodrang, witness the 52-meter Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu. Visit the temple inside the statue and discover the 125,000 smaller Buddhas. The place offers a breath-taking view of the Thimphu Valley. If you love Hiking You can opt for a gentle hike to Changangkha Lhakhang from here. It is a 7 km Hike through the pine forest. This trail was initially intended to be a cycling trail but is very good for hike as well. It is a part of the 60 km cycling trail around Thimphu valley which was initiated in 2016 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan. Finally visit the Simply Bhutan, a living museum and a photo studio aimed at preservation and promotion of culture involving Bhutanese youth as the core group. 

After lunch, visit Takin Preserve. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. Then visit the Zorig Chusom (The National Institute for 13 Traditional Arts and Crafts of Bhutan) and the Royal Textile Academy. The day ends witnessing an Archery Match at the Changlimithang stadium.

Dinner and Overnight in Hotel.

After a memorable breakfast, start your day with a hike to Cheri Monastery. Established in the year 1620, the monastery was initially known as Chagri Dorjeden Monastery. After driving for about 20 minutes we have to steep hike about approx 1 – 1.5 hrs to reach the monastery. The monastery is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Drukpa Kagyu order. On your way back enjoy sometime by the Dodena River and drive back to Thimphu.

 Afternoon, drive back to Thimphu. On the way and visit the Choki Traditional Art School(Closed on Summer and Winter Breaks and Public holidays). Dasho Choki Dorji Started this school in the year 1999 with two main objectives, to help children of broken and disadvantaged families and to keep country’s rich traditional arts and crafts alive through the time to come. It started with 5 Students in 1999 and today they have 186 students. The school is funded by Hamalayan Youth foundation and Fontana Foundation. They also earn revenue by selling the arts and crafts made by the students. Drive to Thimphu and visit the Drupthob Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Then visit the Jungshi handmade paper factory and the Royal Silver smiths at Work.

Dinner and Overnight in Hotel.

Driving Distance: 115 km | Driving time: 3 to 4 hr | Altitude of Haa – 2670 m

After breakfast, drive to Haa. Please ensure that you make the drive of 115 km interesting and beautiful by stopping at places, visiting villages, interacting with people and taking photographs of rural areas and nature.

The drive from Thimphu to Haa takes you through the villages of Namseling and Kasadrapchhu until you reach Chuzomsa, where the Paro River (Pa Chhu) meets the Thimphu River (Wangchhu). You shall see the three stupas built in Nepalese, Tibetan and Bhutanese styles. They were placed here for good luck and safe passage. Then the road follows the river and passes two dzongs en route, at Betikha (34 km. from Haa) and at Dobji (65 km. from Haa. It also crosses many villages and fields until you reach the secluded Haa Valley.

Haa valley was known for its animist tradition during the pre- Buddhist era.  Inhabitants of Haa then believed offering animal blood to their local deities. However, after the visit of the tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava, in the 8th century the inhabitants were transformed into peaceful Buddhist.  Guru Padmasambhava subdued the local deities such as AP Chundu and made them the guardians of the Buddhist tradition. Traces of this belief system are still noticed in the form of festivals and rituals. Opened to foreign tourist only in the year 2002, it is a culturally rich valley. A few famous places to visit are:

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 at Lhakhang Karpo on the 8th-10th day of the 8th Bhutanese month.

The Haa Wangchuklo Dzong (From outside only) built in 1915 after the Dumchog Dzong was razed to the ground by fire is worth visiting.

The valley is also unparalleled in Bhutan in terms of the diversity of the folk culture, legends and shamanistic rituals. The shamanistic traditions is vividly practiced in almost all the communities, most notable of which is the annual ceremony to honor Ap Chundu, the guardian deity of the valley. The valley is also a paradise for nature lovers and travelling there is a very rewarding experience.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Driving Distance – 65 km | Driving time – 2.5 hr | Altitude of Paro – 2280 m

In the morning drive to Chelela Pass which is the highest point between the Paro and the Haa Valley. The Chelela Pass lies at an altitude of 3988 m and is the highest motorable roads in Bhutan. The drive from Haa to Chelela would be through a winding road over the dense pine forest, the view is spectacular. As we ascend further to higher elevation the vegetation changes to conifer such as spruce, juniper, hemlock, silver fir and finally at the summit, the vegetation is all open alpine meadows.

The Pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags. You can choose to hang some prayer flags or offer incense here. On a clear day the views are beautiful.

After a while Hike to Kila Goemba. The trail, spanning approximately 9-12 kilometers, meanders through alpine meadows and rhododendron forests, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks and valleys. The hike concludes at the serene Kila Goenpa Nunnery, a centuries-old cliffside retreat home to Buddhist nuns. This journey, marked by natural beauty and cultural significance, provides hikers with a unique blend of adventure and spiritual tranquility.

On the way back visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery. Check out the varieties of made in Bhutan beers. Set in a traditional Bhutanese style, the place is beautifully located overlooking the Paro valley.  This place brews different flavors of Bhutanese Beer to suit one’s palette. The outdoor setting of Namgay Artisanal brewery is equally awesome. Take a tour in the beer producing house. They mainly produce Indian Pale Ale, Apple Cider, Wheat beer, Dark ale, and Red rice lager.

Finally visit the Drukgyal Dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below. The dzong was initially built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal  in 1646 to commemorate the victory of Bhutanese over the allied  Tibetan-Mongolian forces. It was destroyed by fire in 1951 and was in ruins for a long time until reconstruction process was initiated in the year 2016 under the Command of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

Dinner and Overnight at the Aman kora, Paro.

Altitude of Paro: 2280 m

Your day starts with an early morning hike to Taktshang Monastery, one of the most wonderful and significant monasteries in Bhutan. Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, the hike shall be accompanied with stories of Guru Rinpoche, who arrived on the spot where the monastery is located on the back of a flying tigress somewhere in 8th century. Reaching the top shall enlighten you on why the Monastery is an iconic pilgrimage for visitors to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Visit Kyichhu Lhakhang, a 7th-century temple nearby with two magical orange trees that bear fruit throughout the year. Drive to a local farmhouse for lunch with a Bhutanese family.  Try the traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, National Dress and Archery here. You shall also have an opportunity to witness the daily life in a village in Bhutan.

Drive back to the Hotel. Explore the property, enjoy a peaceful time all by yourself within the property.

Dinner and Overnight in hotel.

“The Historic Bhutan” comes to an end with a drive to Paro airport and farewell.