JOURNEY TO A MAGICAL KINGDOM

Departures on request. Ideal time to visit: Sept – May

Day 1:

Arrival in Paro & drive onto Thimphu ( 2 hrs), the capital city. Process permits in
Thimphu, and after lunch check out the local market and the fantastic Changlimithang
stadium where crowds gather to watch archery and football matches. Walk to the local
market for produce (include varieties of cheeses), as well as objects such as masks and
tangkhas.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 2:

In the morning, after completing permit formalities we will go to the impressive
Thimphu Dzong, on the banks of the Wang-chu river, with the king’s palace on the
opposite bank. After lunch, we will see the National memorial chorten, built to honor
the memory of the third king of Bhutan, and the focal point of worship for Thimphu
residents. We will then visit the Insitute for handicrafts where you can see students
practicing local crafts such as Tangkha painting and weaving. In the evening, hike (or
drive) to the mini-zoo where to see the Takin (the national animal of Bhutan).

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 3

We drive from Thimphu to Punakha (2 ½ hrs) over the Dochu-la pass with some
fantastic views of the Himalayas. Stop at the Dochu-la pass at the site of the 108
chortens, built in the memory of the ULFA militants who were killed by the Bhutanese
army and do a short hike into the rhododendron forest.  We will visit the Punakha
Dzong, picturesquely situated at the confluence of two rivers.

Overnight:  Wangdi

Day 4

Drive to Trongsa from Punakha (3 hours). After lunch, explore the Trongsa Dzong -
one of the largest & most impressive in the country, and the ancestral home of Bhutan’s
Royal. Late afternoon leisure.

Overnight: Trongsa

Day 5

Drive from Trongsa to Bumthang (3 hours), with the road climbing all the way to
Pele-la pass at 3300m that divides Eastern & Western Bhutan.  Yaks can be seen on
the way, especially during the winter. We will also see high Himalayan villages like
Rukubji and Chendebji, where all the houses cluster together separate from the fields.
In the afternoon we will drive to Bumthang, the cultural heart of Bhutan, driving
through fields of buckwheat and entering the first of 4 valleys that make up the
Bumthang region.

Overnight: Bumthang

Day 6

Local Bumthang sightseeing – Today we will visit the Wangdichholing Palace, Jambay
Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and the oldest monastery in the Kingdom. We will hike
up to the Tamshing monastery, where about 200 monks reside. In the afternoon we will
drive back to Trongsa  (3 hours).

Overnight: Trongsa

Day 7

After early breakfast, drive from Trongsa to Paro, about 6-7 hours drive, retracing our
route crossing two passes (Pele-la and Dochu-la). On the way, relive your memories,
enjoy the drive, and conserved your energy! Tomorrow, you’re up for a tough but
rewarding hike!

Overnight: Paro

Day 8

Drive to the trail-head for Taktsang, or Tiger’s nest monastery. A hike/ horse-ride will
take you to the monastery ( 3-4 hours) clinging to a cliff-side, a remarkable place which
also gives you a chance for those picture-postcard photos you’ve been wanting. In the
afternoon after lunch we go onto the Drugyel Dzong, a ruined Dzong that has a
ghostly air – it was used as a place to defend Bhutan against invadingTibetans. In the
evening, enjoy shopping in the main street of Paro.

Overnight: Paro / Valley View Hotel

Day 9  Departure