Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our Guide & drive to Thimphu , Bhutan. On arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. Later in the day take an exploratory walk around local marketplace located a few minutes’ walk from hotels. Or take a walk to local craft Bazar recently established under patronage of Department of cottage & small industry and in collaboration with the department of culture, tourism council and the department of agriculture marketing and cooperatives, this market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts thus contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts & Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (unlike other typical Asian tourist marketplace, this is a unique place where you will not find pesky shopkeeper or hawker coxing you to buy their artefacts, you can wander around in peace admiring the craftsmanship and uniqueness of the Bhutanese local market)

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Hotel Amodhara
• Deluxe Hotel: Ramada Valley Thimphu

After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of city’s main attractions that includes: visit Textile Museum & visit National Library & later Institute for Zorig Chusum (Institute of Zorig Chusum remains close in June-Aug & mid Nov-Feb, alternative Changangkha Lhakhang tour can be arranged) later visit Changangkha Lhakhang with fascinating view of Thimphu valley, also visit Simply Bhutan Museum after Lunch proceed to visit Memorial Chorten & visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). the main highlight tour of the day with a visit of Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Hotel Amodhara
• Deluxe Hotel: Ramada Valley Thimphu

After breakfast enjoy a dramatic drive over the high mountain pass of Dochu La (3, O8O m) and on to the Phobjikha Valley passing through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress. Explore Phobjikha valley for Black Necked Cranes.(in winter only, Oct to mid-March) A small hiking explore and Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley on foot & later visit Gangtey Gompa

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Dewachen Hotel & Spa
• Deluxe Hotel: RKPO,Green Resort

After breakfast at hotel, explore Gangtey (Phobjikha valley) by foot. Visit Black Necked Crane Information Centre: Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the black-necked crane information Centre has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also offers display information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop, which sells handicrafts produced by the local people. Continue exploring valley, walk to Kilkhorthang located between the upper and lower valleys of Phobjikha and extends from Kilkhorthang on the eastern side and crosses the main river to the other side of the valley. This pleasurable walk will give you a pleasant experience. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. Overnight at hotel in Gangtey

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Dewachen Hotel & Spa
• Deluxe Hotel: RKPO,Green Resort

After breakfast drive back to Punakha. After lunch at hotel, take a short drive to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambhava, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Hotel Vara
• Deluxe Hotel: RKPO GREEN RESORT

After breakfast at hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. Late afternoon option Chimi Lhakhang (from hotel it is about 15 minutes’ drive till motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1.1/2-hour walk, including both way) The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Hotel Vara
• Deluxe Hotel: RKPO GREEN RESORT

After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley. En route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and another cosmic Mandala. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Bhutan Mandala Resort
• Deluxe Hotel: Tashi Namgay Resort

After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery (5hrs hike): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour. On the way back to town stop at Drukgyel Dzong (visit from outside), a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. Along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Hotels: Mandala Resort
• Deluxe Hotel: Tashi Namgay Resort