Ultimate Bhutan

Day 1: Arrival at Paro
Upon arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by your guide and driver and you will visit Paro town for a short lunch break. Afterward, you will visit the Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum. After this visit, you will head to your hotel for leisure and relaxation at The Village Lodge.

Day 2: Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast, you will head to Thimphu and visit the Tachogang Lhakhang Temple and the iron suspension bridge. Upon arrival in Thimphu, you will visit the handicraft market and the centenary farmers market where you can immerse yourself in the local life and meet Bhutanese people, and jostle with local farmers amongst the aroma of organic fruits and vegetables. After lunch, you will visit The Memorial Chorten located in the heart of Thimphu city which is a spiritual hangout and a great interactive place for tourists and Bhutanese. Every day from dawn till dusk the young and old circumambulate the Stupa, with the elderly spending their whole day chanting prayers, sharing their packed lunches, turning the huge prayer wheels, and spending time with their friends. They look forward to sharing smiles and a few words with visiting tourists and the Memorial Chorten is an interactive place for tourists wanting to mingle with the locals and exchange stories.
In the evening you will head to your hotel for dinner and overnight at The Capital Hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu Valley
Today you will spend a full day exploring the Thimphu Valley. You will start off with a visit to the famous Buddha Dordenma Statue, the Buddha point which is 51.5 meters high and overlooks the Thimphu Valley. Afterward, you will head to the Simply Bhutan Museum, where you can experience the simple lifestyle of ancient Bhutan and the unique culture that has been passed down and preserved from generation to generation. Serving of Suja “salt and butter tea” and Zaw “puffed rice” is the first and foremost thing that is offered to you and that just kick starts your unique experience of the authentic Bhutanese culture. After this cultural interaction, you will head to The Changangkha Lhakhang which is one of the oldest and most significant temples in Bhutan which dates back to the early 13th century. After lunch, you will head to Takin Preserve to see the national animal of Bhutan. You will also visit the Thangthong Dewachen Drupthop Nunnery, the Bhutan Postal Museum, and the Tashi Chho Dzong, which houses the office of the King. In the evening you will head out to witness archery which is the national sport of Bhutan in the stadium of Thimphu. You will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight at The Capital Hotel.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha
Today you will be heading for a visit to Punakha where you will visit the Punakha Dzong and the iron suspension bridge. On the way to Punakha you will stop at Dochulaa Pass at 3,150 meters/10,330 ft above sea level, where you will visit the 108 stupas and on a clear day have a view over the snow-capped Himalayas. After this short stop, you will visit the Lobesa Organic Market for a short shop-stop. After the market visit, you will head to the fertility temple. The temple is attributed to the saint Lama Drukpa Kuenley popularly known as the Divine Madman.
After lunch, you will head to Rinchengang for a village excursion. Surrounded by hundreds of terraced rice fields, it takes about fifteen minutes to walk up to the village from the highway. From there you can get a better view of the Wangdue Dzong and Punatshang chu river as it meanders down the valley. You can walk through the village, visit some traditional farmhouses replete with farm animals and interact with the villagers. Being very hospitable, you can have tea with local snacks at a farmhouse and even help out at their farm. In the evening you will head to your hotel for dinner and overnight at Dhumra Farm Resort.

Day 5: Punakha Valley
After breakfast, you will head out and explore the valley of Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. The first stop will be at the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery located on top of a hill that enjoys sweeping views of the Punakha and Wangdue valleys. The Nunnery is a Buddhist center for learning and meditation for about 120 nuns from all over the country. A visit to the Nunnery is a perfect opportunity to interact with the nuns and learn about their lives and exchange stories as most of them can speak English as well. After the visit to the nunnery, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Celebrated for its artistic and aesthetically pleasing structure the Punakha Dzong is a symbol of the harmonious union of the male and the female, is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). You will also visit the longest suspension bridge in the country. After lunch, you will head out for a hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is a stunning newly constructed Stupa built to ward of negative forces and ensure peace and harmony for all sentient beings.  The gentle hike, the beautiful Chorten, the amazing view, and the peace and serenity offers a surreal experience. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight in the afternoon at Dhumra Farm Resort.

Day 6: Punakha - Gangtey & Phobjikha Valleys
After breakfast, you will depart to Gangtey Valley which is roughly a 2-hour drive. Upon arrival in Gangtey, you will visit the Gangtey Monastery. The Gangtey Monastery is the most visible structure in the valley and the Monastery also serves as a school for Buddhism, hence one can interact with the monks and sit in with them during their prayers and rituals. You will also visit the Crane Observation Centre, which has informative displays about the black-necked cranes. You can either drive back or walk to your accommodation. Dinner and overnight at Dewachen Hotel and Spa.

Day 7: Gangtey & Phobjikha Valleys
Today you will explore more of Gangtey & Phobjikha Valley, also known as the beautiful glacial valley of Bhutan. You will head out for a beautiful nature hike in the Gangtey valley. In the evening you can experience a way of rural life with a Bhutanese family, experience cooking, and have dinner with the family. Overnight at Dewachen Hotel and Spa or you can opt to include a local homestay.

Day 8: Gangtey & Phobjikha Valleys - Trongsa - Bumthang Valley
After breakfast, you will depart to Trongsa which is a 4-hour drive. Upon arrival in Trongsa, you will visit the Trongsa Dzong which is one of the biggest in the country. You will also visit the Royal National Museum, which is located above the Dzong and is dedicated to the Wangchuck Dynasty; the Dragon Kings of Bhutan. The Museum has many important artifacts including the Raven Crown of the Second King (Jigme Wangchuck), two scrolls of the Oath of Allegiance to King Jigme Wangchuck, and many other important religious artifacts. After lunch, you will continue your drive to Bumthang which takes another 2 hours. Upon arrival in Bumthang Valley, you can relax and enjoy dinner and overnight at Swiss Guesthouse.

Day 9: Bumthang Valley
Today you will spend a full day exploring the Bumthang Valley which is the spiritual heart of Bhutan. You will visit the Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, which is one of the most sacred and holy sites of Bhutan and Kurjey translates to ‘the Body Imprint’ of Guru Padmasambhava/Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Bhutan. You will also visit the Kenchosum Lhakhang, Tamzhing Lhakhang, and Kharchu Dratsang which is a Monastic School. Dinner and overnight at Swiss Guesthouse.

Day 10: Bumthang Valley - Tang valley - Bumthang
After breakfast, you will depart to Tang Valley where you will visit the Burning Lake also known as Mebar Tsho. Mebar Tsho is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan and is attributed to the treasure discoverer Terton Pema Lingpa. While the Mebar Tsho is not really a lake by itself but rather a deep pool in the flowing Tang River, however mythical and spiritual stories that abound the lake make it a must-visit pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese. You will visit the Tang Ugyencholing Palace and Museum. At the Museum, one can also take a guided tour of the Palace to get a feel of what life was like in rural Bhutan over the past 200 years with well-preserved ancient artifacts and artworks on display. For hikers, there is an alternate route that is about 90 minutes hike from the valley floor to the palace. The hike is through traditional houses and colorful fields. If interested one can visit a few of the houses, interact with the farmers/villagers, and help out on the farm. After this museum visit, you will visit the Ta Rimochen Lhakhang, the site is noted for its hand, foot, and body imprints of Guru and Yeshey Tshogyal and rock markings of various religious texts and symbols. After lunch, you will depart back to Bumthang for dinner and overnight at Swiss Guesthouse.

Day 11: Bumthang Valley - Paro Valley
After an early breakfast, you will depart back to Paro by flight. The flight departs at 08:00 am and you will get to Paro at 08:35 am. You will get some time to stroll through town and visit the Druk Choeding Lhakhang, Dungtse Lhakhang, and Kyichu Lhakhang temples. Dinner and overnight at your The Village Lodge

Day 12: Paro - Haa Valley
After breakfast, you will depart to Haa Valley with a stop at Dzongdrakha Lhakhang temple and a one-hour hike at Chelela Pass. Along the pass, there are colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind all the way from the road to the top of the Pass and you can also host your own prayer flags assisted by your tour guide. As per your birth year, an astrologer will consult the Divination Charts, and accordingly, you can purchase the appropriate prayer flags that most benefit and protect you. Upon arrival in Haa Valley, you will take some time to relax and enjoy dinner at Risum Resort.

Day 13: Haa Valley - Paro
After breakfast, you will spend some time exploring Haa Valley including the white and black temple. After lunch, you will drive back to Paro where you will have time to relax and get ready for your hike tomorrow. You could also decide to participate in an archery game or go for a Bhutanese cooking class. Dinner and overnight at The Village Lodge

Day 14: Taktsang Monastery – Paro
In the morning you will be picked from your hotel and taken to the starting point for your trekking to the famous tiger's nest / Taktsang Monastery. This will take approximately 5 hrs. After this hike, you will visit the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, one of the oldest temples of Bhutan, built in the 7th century. After you return to your hotel you will be offered a traditional hot stone bath or go for a massage and relax at The Village Lodge

Day 15: Paro International Airport
After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your departure flight.