Day 1 Arrive in Paro
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon you will visit the National Museum, formerly the watchtower for the dzong. You drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Jumolhari ("Mountain of Goddess") can be seen on a clear day. In the evening you can explore Paro town. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2 Paro to Thimphu (2-hour drive)
After breakfast you can visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do all the dzongs (forts) currently. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thankas, statues, and antiques. You can then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country.

After lunch you will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The drive to Thimphu is along a winding road following the Paro and Thimphu rivers. In the late afternoon you can explore Thimphu town and visit the weekend market. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3 Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the Takin reserve, which contains the national animal of Bhutan. From there you will visit the nunnery temple, and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4 Thimphu to Wangdue/Punakha (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

Day 5 Wangdue to Trongsa (5-hour drive)
You will begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of year it's possible to see yaks. You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the evening. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 6 Trongsa to Bumthang (3-hour drive)
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7 Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
~~Jakar Dzong (fortress)
~~Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
~~Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print)
~~Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
~~Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
~~Short hike to Thangbi Monastery in the afternoon
You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 8 Bumthang Jambay Lakhang festival
The festivals are the most colorful of all Bhutanese gatherings and are celebrated as religious festivals, commemorating the deeds of Buddha, to honor Guru Rimpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. You will attend the Jambay Lakhang festival, one of the cultural highlights of your trip. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 9 Bumthang Prakhar festival
This festival is the second cultural highlight of your tour. Here, masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. Festival deities are invoked through benediction, and luck is increased and misfortune gone. The valley dwellers dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 10 Bumthang to Wangdue (7-hour drive)
You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

Day 11 Wangdue to Thimphu (3-hour drive)
In the morning you will drive back to Thimphu. After lunch, you will tour the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the weaving center in Changzamtok. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 12 Thimphu to Paro
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After the hike you can stroll through Paro town. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner at the farmhouse. Overnight in Paro.

Day 13 Depart Paro