Bhutan in spring: 9N-10D

Day I

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. This beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples, and the country’s only International airport. After being welcomed with “Khadar” (traditional scarf).

After the arrival in paro & being received by BFA Representative & drive towards to Thimphu – capital city of Bhutan in a luxury 4WD car

Checked into hotel, get refreshed and take a power nap of an hour or two. Towards evening explore the Thimphu city.Overnight in Thimphu.

Day II

In the morning hrs after breakfast, visit to following places

Mini Zoo. This Zoo houses the National Animal of Bhutan – the “Takin “. It’s worthwhile taking the time to see these strange, quite unique animals.

Folk Heritage Museum & the Textile Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life and is a ‘must see’ when in Thimphu.

Buddha point: where the largest sitting Buddha in the hill South west, of Thimphu was built for the wellbeing of the country and its neighboring nation.

National Library: The National Library was established in the late 1960s and it houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format and some works are several hundred years old. There is also a small collection of books in English on the ground floor mainly on Buddhism, Bhutan, the Himalayan region and neighboring countries

Visit to simply Bhutan –The living museum. Later in the evening drive to paro and overnight in Thimphu.

Day III

After breakfast, leave Thimphu and begin your journey east to Punakha. The journey takes you on mountain roads, with spectacular alpine scenery. The drive will go over the Dochu La Pass at 3, 050 m where on a clear day you can see Eastern western Himalayas of Bhutan.

Stop in the high pass and visit druk wangyel temple and have leisure time out there. Drive further will take you to Punakha valley and later afternoon visit fertility temple which is very famous for young married couple.

Visit Punakha fort (Dzong) which was old capital of Bhutan and observe the stunning view and beauty of the fort followed by visit to suspension bridge which is one of the longest bridge in Bhutan. Start your journey to Phobjika through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms.

Have wonderful evening in the hotel.

Day IV

After breakfast, leave Punakha, drives to Bumthang which is approximately 215 km across the Yutongla pass (3400). The enchanting valley of Bumthang is also the religious heartland of Bhutan. On the way visit Trongsa Dzong It was built by Chhogyel Mingyur Tempa (sent by Zhabdrung to unify Eastern Bhutan to bring under the rule of the Desi) in the year 1644The dzong dominates the horizon, dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Both the First and the Second King ruled the country from this Dzong. And also visit the Trongsa Museum. Later drive to Bumthang valley. On the way visit Hand Loom shops.

Day V

after the breakfast, visit the following places:

Morning day excursion visit to Ogyen Choling Palace: It is a village in the Tang valley of Bumthang district. It is located on a commanding spur at an elevation of 3000m, on the east side of the Tang Chu. Visitors have to cross the Tangchu suspension bridge near Kizom and climb up to the village on foot. The trek takes about 45 minutes. Kizom is approximately 33 km from Jakar. The palace has been converted in a museum these days. (Gentle steep hike)

Jambay Lhakhang: It is one of the 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen Goenpo in the 8th century to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.

Kurjey Lhakhang: Means body print. It dates back to 8th century when Guru Rimpoche first visited Bhutan. It is after his visit to the Monyul (country in the darkness); Buddhism was introduced in the country.

Mebar Tsho(Lake of Burning Fire):This is a sacred lake for Bhutanese who believe that Pema Lingpa discovered religious treasures from this lake in the 12th century.

Explore bumthang market in the evening.

Day VI

Altitude: 2800m/ 9240ft above sea level (6 hours drive) Morning drive to Gangtey. Later visit Gangtey Goemba: In the mountains east of Wangdue Phodrang lies the beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slopes of which is situated the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century.  The village of Phobjikha lies a few km. down from the monastery, on the valley floor.  This quiet, remote valley is the winter home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north, to pass the winter months in a milder climate. Later visit the Black Necked Crane Observation center. Overnight in phobjika.

Day VII

After breakfast check out and drive to paro. On the way visit Royal Botanical park at Lamperi and Tamchog Monastry.

Day VIII

After the breakfast, visit the following places.

Paro Dzong known as the Rinpung Dzong.  This Dzong was built in 1644 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and today houses a Monastic school, the office of the local governor and few government offices. If you like, you can take a short walk down hill crossing a traditional cantilever bridge over the Pa-chu (Paro River) will take you to the base of the hill. Also visit Museum and 7^th century temple known as Kichu Lhakhang.

Also experience wearing Bhutanese dresses and taking a picture for beautiful memories in future.

Later in the afternoon drive to DrukgyelDzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago.  In the early 1954, the DrukgyelDzong was completely destroyed by fire and today only the ruins remains. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, “mountain of goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.

Day IX

After breakfast, drive to the north of the valley to the base of a hill and hike to the famous Taktsang monastery (Alt.3100m).  Taktsang literally means –“Tiger’s nest”. This monastery was built in the 1600s and clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, in the form of Dorji Drolo(Guru’s 8^th manifestation) arrived at this site on the back of a flying tigress believed to be his consort, to subdue the eight evil spirits who were preventing the propagation on Buddhism in the area. This is must visit place and should not missed it.

Day X

After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.