Day 01: Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu (L/D)

Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa
clearance letter handy. P.P size pictures are no longer required and your visa has
been paid. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building and transfer to
Thimphu. Stroll around the city in the evening. Overnight Thimphu.

Drive from Paro to Thimphu (65 kms): About one hour drive. Drive south following Pachu river to the river confluence at Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive takes about 1 hour, staying close to the Wangchu River at the valley floor, as you pass through villages and suburbs to the capital, Thimphu. En-route, you can stop to view Tachogang temple and the nunnery at Sitsina.

Thimphu (2,300m) was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's
official national capital. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was
carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the
royal and main government offices. Even today, it still only has a few streets and
no traffic lights with an estimated population of 70,000 people.

Day 02: Thimphu (B/L/D): Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu.

Visit the Chorten memorial, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin Sanctuary, Indigenous Hospital,
Textile Museum, Heritage Museum, Traditional School of arts & crafts and Tashicho
Dzong. You will also visit the Zangdopelri temple, paper factory and other sights. Overnight Thimphu.

Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third
King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as the Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-story tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for
Thimphu residents as well as from other parts of the country.

Zilukha Nunnery: Located inside the Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about
70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho
Dzong can be seen from here as well.

Takin Sanctuary: Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal
of Bhutan because on its uniqueness and association with country's history
and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have
created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles
a cow from the back, and a goat in the front and continues to befuddle taxonomists.

Indigenous Hospital or National Institute of Traditional Medicine (Open 9-5pm
Mon-Fri, 9-1pm on Sat) is a government-funded institute that facilitates research of
traditional medicine and practices. Here, doctors diagnose and prescribe traditional medicines or treatments.

School of arts & Crafts (open 9-5pm mon-fri and 9-1pm on Sat -with exception of
holidays and breaks). Commonly known as 'the painting school' it is a national
institute where children attend six-year course that provides instruction in
Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts called Zorig Chuksum - meaning “13 crafts”.

Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and
various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for the central monastic
body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu
and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in
the fall season.

Heritage Museum: Heritage Museum is a recent addition; a traditional
home displaying the living style of the Bhutanese family in 19th century.

Textile Museum: Also a recent addition in the capital city, this museum displays the
colorful and intricately hand-woven textile, both old and new.

Paper Factory: Traditional papers are made from the daphne plant, using simple
methods.

Day 03: Thimphu - Paro (B/L/D)

After breakfast, retrace your drive back to Paro. In Paro visit Tiger's Nest
Monastery (Taktsang) and Farm House. Overnight Paro.

Drive from Thimphu to Paro (65 km; less than one hour). From Thimphu, the western branch of the lateral highway runs close to the Wangchu river on the valley floor, through the suburbs and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, drive north-west for about ½ hour, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight road, into the villages and farm houses of Paro valley.

Hike to Taktsang: Drive to north of Paro town for about ½ hr and embark on a trek to
the famed Taktsang (Tiger's lair) monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the
face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley.

The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs steeply uphill to the Cafeteria
(2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. This takes a
little more then an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride uphill to Cafeteria, but the rest of way, including the return downhill, must be on foot.) You can get
a good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the
temple itself. There are several other temples and sites within the vicinity. Lunch
is served at the tea house. The return trek to the road head is quite steep
downhill, where you will be met by the transport.

Farm House or Village Home: Bhutanese farmhouses are colorful, decorative and
traditionally built without any nails. A majority of the houses are three stories: the
first floor is utilized for sheltering cattle, second floor for the family to live
in and the top for storing and drying of foods and fodder for animal.

Paro: Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan's only
airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow
trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the
most popular and important sites also found within Paro district. Paro town (2,280m)
has one main street and less then one hundred small family-run shops. The weekend market in Paro is held on Saturdays

Day 04: Paro - Depart (B).

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to onward
destination.

Package Rate includes;
* Accommodation on twin share basis
* All meals (incl. evening tea/snacks)
* All hotel tax and service charge
* Private transfers with driver (incl. airport transfers)
* Local sightseeing
* Services of an English speaking local guide
* Long road permits
* Visa processing incl. Govt. royalty and taxes
* Entrance fees to monuments/museums

Does not include;
* Druk Air Flights
* Visa fee ($ 20 per person paid on arrival for European and US $ 30 for American
national)
* TDF- US$ 10 per person
* Travel and medical insurance coverage
* Alcoholic beverages
* Laundry, tips and other expenses of personal nature