Program 2
07 nights / 08 days

Day 01: Kathmandu - Paro

Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series, the only national carrier.
The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be transferred to the hotel.

Afternoon / evening
time at leisure.

Overnight Kichu Resort.

Day 02: Paro Sightseeing/ Paro - Thimpu

Paro Sightseeing - Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time.

Evening drive 2 hours to Thimphu (65ksm).

Overnight at Hotel River view or similar.

Day 03: Thimpu Sightseeing/Thimpu - Wangduephodrang

AM sightseeing - visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers.

P.M.: Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochula passes 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area.

Overnight Wangdi Kichu Resort.

Day 04: Wangduephodrang - Bumthang

Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was con trolled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center.

Overnight at Karma Tobden Guesthouse.

Day 05: Bhumthang

Bumthang altitude 2600m has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot.

Overnight Karma Tobden Guesthouse

Day 06: Bhumthang - Wangduephodrang

Drive back to Wangduephodrang.

Overnight at Wangdi Kichu Resort.

Day 07: Wangduephodrang - Paro

Drive 3/4 hours to Paro via Lobesa and a short walk through farm houses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple is visited mostly by childless couples. Lunch at Thimphu and drive to Paro visiting the visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university.

Overnight Kichu Resort.

Day 08: Paro - Kathmandu

Transfer to airport for departure to KTM.