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 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 - Punakha - Thimphu (B/L/D)

Excursion to Punakha. In Punakha visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang. Drive to
Thimphu for an overnight stay in Thimphu.

Drive from Thimphu to Punakha: The drive from Thimphu (80 kms) takes about 3 hours.
The road climbs from Thimphu to Dochula pass (3,050m) and descends through ever-changing forests into the semi-tropical valley of Punakha and Wangdi at around
1200m.

En-route stop at Dochula pass (3050m) where you can view the eastern Himalayas,
including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum (7,550m).

Punakha Dzong: or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang "Palace of Great Happiness" is located
on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho and Mochu. It was built in 1637 by
Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal and following the ancient traditions, it serves as winter
residence for chief abbot (Je-khenpo) and the monks of Central Monastic Body, who
return to Thimphu in the summer

Chimi Lhakhang: a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley,
a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as "the divine madman" and considered a
folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a
chorten on the site in the 14th century, on which a temple was later built in 15th
century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a
picturesque hill. It has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. This
easy walk takes about ½ hour each way.

Punakha and Wangdiphodrang: Punakha and Wangdue, although two separate districts,
are located in one valley (20km/ ½ hr drive apart) and they are at the lower
elevation of about 1,250m with pleasant winters. Cactuses, Oranges, bananas and
sub-tropical plants are found here. Punakha was once the winter capital of Bhutan,
and the Central Monastic body still holds this tradition unofficially, coming to Punakha in the winter for warmer weather.

Drive from Punakha to Thimphu. The drive from Punakha to Thimphu takes about 3
hours, covering a total of 80 km. From Punakha, climb back to the Dochula pass
(3,050m), where you have another opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern
Himalayas. Descend to Thimphu from Dochula takes about 40 minutes.

Day 04: Thimphu - Paro (B/L/D)

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

Drive from Thimphu to Paro. The drive from Thimphu to Paro takes less than 1 hour,
covering a total of 65 km. From Thimphu, the western branch of lateral highway from
Thimphu runs close to the Wangchu river and valley floor, through the suburbs
and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also
the hub of road networks going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive is about ½ hour north-west, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing the Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight roads, 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
little more then an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up 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. Majority of the houses are three stories: the
first floor is utilized for sheltering cattle, the second floor for the family to live
in and the top for storing and drying food 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)
only has one main street and less then one hundred small family-run
shops. The weekend market in Paro is held on Saturdays.

Day 05: Paro - Depart (B)

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

Package price: Ask us for per session and group size pricing.

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

* 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