The Land of Happiness

After breakfast, we will drive to the Buddha statue, the biggest seating statue in the world. ,Traditional Hospital,Zilukha Nunnery,Takin Preserve,Painting School,Textile Museum ,Changlimithang Stadium ,Changangkha Lhakhang, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library Overnight Stay thimphu.

If interested more  hiking :

Hike-  Buddha Point to Changangkha Temple (2 Hrs Hike) en route visit Buddha Statue continued to Hike till Changangkha Temple and having panoramic view of Thimphu Town

After breakfast drive to Punakha crossing Dochula Pass. Stop at the pass to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Bhutan’s snowcapped peaks along the Tibetian border over tea and snacks Later continue the drive to view through ever-changing vegetation bringing us to Punakha and Wangdue valleys

Road from Thimphu to Punakha

The drive from Thimphu to Punakha takes about 2.14 Hours , covering a total distance of 75 km. The road follows the Paro chu river till Chudzom and follow the Wang chu upstream until the little town of Simtokha and then turn right towards east climbing up to Dochula pass (3,080m), where you have opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. From Dochula the road descends into Wangdi and Punakha Valley at around 1400mts. After the junction at Lobesa, the road goes towards north passing the beautiful village and farmlands to Punakha.

Khamsum Yulley Chorten,Punakha Dzong ,Punakha Suspension Bridge
Overnight stay Punakha.

Drive from Thimphu  to Bumthang via Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan. You can stop to visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong which commands the eye from miles away. Visit the new museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Royal Wangchuk dynasty, which tells the stories of the Dzong and features personal belongings of the Kings and Queens of Bhutan.  In the evening if time permits  you will visit  including Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. Ta Dzong Visit Jakar Dzong (Bhutan’s largest) and you may be interested to see Bumthang’s famous swiss cheese factory.  Overnight in Bumthang.

This fascinating valley is the religious heartland of the nation & home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples & monasteries. Its gentle sloping hills offer plenty of walking opportunities to the many temples that dot this valley. The valley is also famous for its production of honey, cheese, apple & yathra- a woolen material that has multiple uses.

Today we take an excursion to the remote Tang valley. Stop to visit Membar Tsho (the burning lake), which is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites.  Then on to Drangchel, Pema Lingpa’s birthplace. You will also see some picturesque villages and temples and can walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace, which is now a museum and gives an interesting insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century. Bumthang Brewery, Tamzhing Monastery   Return to Bumthang for the night.

Gantey Gompha & Phobjika Valley Situated south of the road and east of Wangdue Phodrang, is Gantey Gompa, an old monastery dating back to the 17th century. The gompa, on the valley floor, is the village of Phobjika. This is the winter home of the famous black-necked cranes. The cranes migrate from the high plains of the Tibetan plateau in winter to the milder climate of Phobjika.

Morning walk along the nature trail, a footpath encircling the winter roosting grounds of the crane, for about 2hrs. When the crane is not in residence, walk to the local villages, and also visit Nature Info center.

 Visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated) and explore the valley where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year after spending the summer in Tibet.

After breakfast drive to Paro via Thimphu, we spend some time below Dochula pass to explore the botanical park and nearby surrounding for birds for diverse flora. If your interested you can make beautiful hike to Lungchutse Monastery, Lungchuzekhagoenpa is around 7 km return, 470 m up, 3-4 hrs and if you add Trashigang goenpa and Hontsho then the distance will abe around 10 km/ 550 m up, 4-5 hrs). After descending into Thimphu, continue short drive to Paro. Overnight in hotel

If you are interested more in the walks and to visit off-the-beaten sights, your guide can take you for drive up to Chele pass and hike to Kila Gompa nunnery. Along the way, you will also pass through wonderful forests. Also short distance from Paro in Bondey village, you can take a short walk to visit Dzongdrakha Gompa. The popular attractions within Paro include visiting Rinphung Dzong, National Museum, temples of Kichu and Dungtse, visiting local home and the stroll around the township.Overnight in hotel

Before the hike, you can visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. Then follow it by day excursion to famous Taktsang or Tiger’s nest monastery. We can arrange pony ride for the uphill part but you must be able to walk down hill. This is expected to take all day.If for some reason, you wish skip Taktsang, our Guide and driver can arrange other interesting alternatives based on your interest. Return to Paro  Hotel Overnight stay

If skip the Tiger nest we suggest the alternative place to visit  - – Full Day excursion trip to Haa Valley

Chele-La-Pass, at an elevation of 13,088 ft., is considered to be one of the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive from Zhiwa Ling it passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.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 honour 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

After breakfast drive around an 30 min to Paro international airport for your onward departure.