12 DAYS EXCLUSIVE BHUTAN JOURNEY

Fly by the magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro valley.
Drive 1.5 hours to Thimphu
Explore the capital’s Highlights
BBS Tower viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley before visiting the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal along with the view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, seat of the government. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Circumvent the Memorial Chorten before mesmerising at the gigantic statue of Buddha (169ft). And visit 12th century Changangkha Lhakhang, see cultural aspect of blessing and naming newly born child from the oldest temple of Wang valley.
Catch the bustling Centenary Farmers Market, the best opportunity to see the colourful vegetables, dairy products and to mix with the locals along with the Bhutanese archery game (the national sport) at Changlingmithang National Stadium. Later visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and Folk Heritage Museum. Take a walk along the streets of Thimphu and enjoy some free shopping. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Drive about 3 hours to Punakha.
Climb up the mountain road to Dochu-La (3140m). On a clear day, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas.
Descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the cultivated valley of Punakha.
Hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang (no dog temple) before visiting Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu, arguably the most impressive Dzong in the country. Later visit a stunning hill-top nunnery- Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).

Drive about 5.5 hours to Trongsa
A stunning scenic drive brings you to Trongsa. This is the road where the Bhutanese box office movie “Travelers and Magicians” was filmed. The road winds its way up and across high Pele-La pass (3390m). Visit Trongsa Dzong – the ancestral home of the royal family. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Drive 3 hours to Bumthang, an adventurous drive winds its way up across Yotong-La pass (3425m). En-route, visit Sanga Thechok Lhakhang “the temple of prophecy”, newly built as per prophesy of the oracle of Damchen Dorji Lekpa, protector of the Nyingmapa teaching. Stopover Chumey village, famous for Yathra weaving, colorful hand-woven woollen textiles.
Evening attain Fire Cleansing Ceremony. Local runs through a gate of fire to exorcise evil spirits and cleanse their minds. Until recently tourists were not allowed to observe this ritual. Another unusual tradition leading up to festival is the “Tercham” performed around midnight, this famous naked dance known as the “Dance of treasure”. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Attend festival, at the sacred Jamba Lhakhang. Dances are performed by well-trained monks, symbolizing something different - from morality plays to beliefs about life after death. One of the important events is the fertility blessing ceremony for infertile women wishing to conceive. The lama prays to the fertility gods and deities, and blesses the women with a symbolic wooden phallus to make them fruitful in the coming year. The ceremony is performed outdoors.
Afternoon hike to the impressive 8th century Kurjey Lhakhang on the western side of Chamkhar Chu then to well preserved Tamshing Monastery. 36 oldest untouched paintings line the vestibule where pilgrims can atone their sins by wearing a 25 kilo iron coat of chains around the sanctuary. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Day excursion to Chumey valley to attain Prakhar duchhoed in Prakhar Lhakhang, built by the grandson of Terton Pema Lingpa. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Drive about 6 hours to Phobjikha valley
A long drive brings you to Phobjikha valley, the last winter grounds of the black necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau during mid-October to March. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Enjoy a beautiful 3 hours hike from Longtey Village to Gangtey Gonpa, hidden in the stunning Phobjikha valley. The trails offer wonderfully coloured rhododendron forests with yaks grazing on both sides of the valley. A steep uphill climb reaches you to impressive views of the idyllic Gangtey Gonpa and the overwhelming valley. Visit the monastery before 1.5 hours nature trail hike to the valley floor through the conifers up to the monastery. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Drive about 7.5 hours to Paro (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Clings to the edge of the sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below, the Taktshang Monastery defies all engineering logic. Hike up for a dramatic view or choose to take a pony ride that can be arranged at an additional cost.
Upon descent, enjoy a spectacular drive to the remote ruins of Drugyel Dzong before the oldest Kichu Lhakhang built by first Buddhist King of Tibet. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast included)
Tashi Delek