Become familiar with Bhutan

The most breath-taking mountain flights you will ever encounter in your life. Flying in from the sweltering plains of India, one can see a sequence of the world's tallest peaks from the left side of the aircraft's window. If the weather is clear, your pilot will give the names of the peaks. You will drop into the high mountains, and as the plane descends, you will see no airfield or city, but rather the coming Paro valley, alpine woods, little monasteries, temples, and farm cottages. Prior to the jet touching down on the runway, you'll get a sight of Paro's verdant valley, Paro Dzong, and Paro Lake (river). You will be taken from Paro airport to Thimpu, the capital city. Make your way to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Thimphu hotel.

Today, continue to a sightseeing trip of Tashichho Dzong, the National Library, and the Handicraft Center to display traditional arts, as well as Tashichho Dzong and Takin Zoo. Later, the National Memorial Chorten was built, which included a stupa dedicated to Bhutan's third monarch and a Buddha statue. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Thimpu hotel. (B)

Today, travel to the Punakha valley's lowlands, passing across Dochula pass at 10,000 ft and stopping in Hongtsho hamlet. Make your way to the hotel. Afternoon see the beautiful Punakha Dzong, strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong serves as the region's religious and administrative capital. Later in the day, visit the Punakha Dzong and the Punakha Suspension Bridge. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Punakha hotel. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Bumthang via Wangdi and Trongsa. Continue uphill towards Pela La Pass, passing through the Black Mountains that separate western and central Bhutan. The roads upward are quite curvy with hairpin turns, but you need not be concerned as our drivers are highly skilled. Along the journey, you will see rhododendron, magnolias, and yaks grazing, and on clear days, you will see Mt. Jumolhari standing motionless to the west at an elevation of 23,685 feet. As you approach Trongsa, you will have an unusual experience as you will be able to see the gigantic Trongsa Dzong, also known as "the never-ending Trongsa Dzong" from the road. This location was formerly known as the "Old Gateway" between east and west. If you have time, you may visit the Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong (Ta means watch tower in Dzongkha). The Trongsa Dzong (Ta means watch tower in Dzongkha) was completed in 1652 and is now a museum displaying Buddhist art and the history of our Monarchy. Overnight in a Bumthang hotel. (B)

Bumthang valley is highly open and large, in comparison to other valleys in Bhutan; its elevation varies between 2,600 metres (8530ft) and 4000 metres (13,125 ft).
Bumthang is recognised as a hiking and trekking paradise, and you will come across several gorgeous monasteries as well as major Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites. Visit in the morning Jakar Dzong, established by a white bird and perched on a ridge overlooking the valley, was erected by a white bird. "Ja" translates as "bird," while "kar" translates as "white." Jampey Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples established on the same day as Paro Kichu Lhakhang by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The Kurjey Lhakhang is the location of Bhutan's monarchs' funeral ceremonies. Kurjey translates as "Kur" refers to the body and "Jey" refers to the Lhakhang. The large cypress tree is supposed to be Guru Rimpoche's walking staff. Additionally, the great Guru established a holy water spring adjacent to the temple, which is frequented for religious and medicinal purposes. Wangdicholing Palace - constructed during the reign of the first king's father, Jigme Namgyel, was utilised as the primary home of the first King Ugyen Wangchuk. Visit the town or take a trip to the bridge, even though the township was just destroyed by fire. If you are a cheese and honey connoisseur, you may sample the Bumthang cheese and honey produced in Bumthang. Overnight in a Bumthang hotel. (B)

Today, continue on the same road to Wangdi valley, stopping along the way to visit the famous Bumthang Matha local shops, where you can find rich woollen plaid textiles dyed with natural colours and the famous Yatas, a thin cloth with a bright pattern that is frequently made into warm jackets and scarves. Continue driving towards Trongsa and Wangdi. Along the route, you may come across intriguing locations where you may pause and snap some photographs. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Wangdue hotel. (B)

After breakfast, drive to Paro. Pay a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. If you're lucky, you could spot red pandas and several bird species. You can also snap some photos next to the natural lake. You may choose to view a little documentary on the park. Afternoon, explore the Drukgyel Dzong ruins and continue on to the base of Tigers Nest. Overnight in a Paro hotel. (B)

Today, after breakfast, take a tour of Paro, seeing the Paro Dzong and National Museum. Later, travel to the base of the world-famous "Tigers Nest" or "Paro Taktsang," one of Bhutan's most prominent spiritual heritage sites, which actually hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley at an elevation of 900m above the valley floor. Guru Rimpoche, who came in the eighth century, is affiliated with the shrine. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Paro hotel. (B)

This morning, you will be taken to Paro airport in order to catch a flight or train return to your home or next destination. (B)