Legendary Tour (9 Nights/10 Days)

Day 01: Arrive Paro (by Druk Air) – Thimphu

You will land at Paro, one of the most beautiful valleys of Bhutan. Our guide will receive you at the airport from where you will drive towards Thimphu, the capital city. The drive will take around one hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Thimphu – Wangdue – Gangtey

In the morning, we will visit the folk Heritage Museum, where the art of weaving is still kept alive and preserved though exhibition. Next we will visit the traditional paper factory. After lunch we are going to Punakha through the Dochula pass (3050m). This pass offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. After stopping for a tea we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan, where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. From here a gradual climb takes you into the valley of Gangtey (Phobjikha). Gangtey lies towards the East of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountain. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phobjikha are described as “the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas”. It is the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains of Tibet to roost in the northern regions of Bhutan.

Day 03: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang

Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through Bumthang and Trongsa which lasts about 6 hours. We will pass through the semi tropical vegetation and then cross the Pelela pass (3,300m). You will get to see Mount Jhomolhari (7,314m). En route, we will visit the century old Chendebji Chorten and the impressive Trongsa dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan. We then drive on to Bumthang valley (described as “one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas” across the Yotongla Pass (3,400 m). Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Bumthang

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertoens (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. In the morning we visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). Hike to visit the Tamzhing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Tertoen Pema Lingpa). After lunch, hike to Thangbi valley across the suspensions bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, on the way back visit Jakar Dzong, (seat of the district administration). Evening stroll in Chamkhar Town. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang

After breakfast, we drive to Ura valley to witness the highest peak in Bhutan the Gangkar Puensum (7,500m). The road then descends into Ura valley by long loops across fields and pastures. We will visit Ura Lhakhang and enjoy a picnic lunch by a riverside. Later in the afternoon we drive back to Bumthang. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Bumthang – Wangdue –Punakha

The drive to Punakha via Wangdue takes about seven hours over the Pelela Pass and Yotongla pass. Lunch will be served near Chendebji Chorten. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Wangdue – Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast, we will visit Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the medieval capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when Je Khenpo and the monk body are in Thimphu. After visiting Punakha Dzong, we will drive to Thimphu over Dochula pass. Check in at hotel in Thimphu. After lunch we will visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Next we visit the Motithang Takin Preserve where you will get to see the national animal Takin. We will then visit the Zilukha Nunnery, the National Library stocked with ancient manuscripts and then pay a visit to BBS tower to view Thimphu city. Evening drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Paro valley sightseeing

We will drive to Drugyel dzong, which lies 16 kilometers from Paro town. After being destroyed by fire in 1951, the fortress remained in ruins and today it is undergoing reconstruction. The fortress holds great historical significance, as it was from here that Bhutan was able to repel a number of Tibetan invasions. On our way back, we will visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to give you the feel and experience of being inside a Bhutanese home. Just across, we will pay a visit to Kyichu lhakhang, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th century. We will then visit the Paro Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The famous Paro Tshechu, which draws thousands of tourists every year, is held in the dzong’s courtyard. Later we will visit the National Museum housed inside a 17th century watchtower above the Rinpung dzong. In the evening, we will stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Paro – Hike to Taktshang

In the morning we will drive up to the base of Taktshang monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic symbol. After hiking up to the monastery for about an hour and a half, you will reach a cafeteria, which offers a good resting place and the view of the monastery. This is the site where the Indian tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew on a flying tigress in the wrathful manifestation of Dorji Drolo. We will have our lunch on our way back at the cafeteria and your car will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Day 10: Paro – Departure (by Druk Air)

We will escort you to the airport for your journey home.