Mystical Bhutan

Start your day with breakfast, followed by a visit to Kuensel Phodrang or Buddha Point, a short drive from the city centre. Admire the panoramic view of Thimphu Valley and pay respects to the country's largest Buddha statue. Take a scenic stroll around the area. Visit the National Library to view a collection of invaluable Buddhist manuscripts. Explore the Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School), where students receive training in 13 traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. Later, visit the Royal Textile Academy and the Textile Museum to learn about Bhutan's distinctive textile art. After lunch, head to Pangri Zampa Institute of Buddhist Astrology, one of Bhutan's oldest monasteries. Learn about astrology based on Buddhist philosophy. Explore Thimphu Kaja Throm, the farmers market, where a variety of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and farm products are sold, along with cafes and fast-food options.

Ara Making (Local Alcohol)

Optional

Archery Tournament

Optional

Blessing Ceremony at a Temple

Optional

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey to Gangtey via Do Chula pass. Marvel at the Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags along the way. Descend to Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys. Explore Wangdue's bamboo handicrafts, slate carving, and stone carving. The road to Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley takes you through oak and rhododendron woodlands. Discover Phobjikha Valley, a haven for migrating black-necked cranes.

Fluttering Prayer Flags

Optional

The lighting of the Butter Lamps

Optional

Start the day with breakfast and attend the vibrant Gangtey Black Necked Crane Festival. This celebration welcomes the endangered Black-Necked Cranes, which hold significance in the local culture during the winter months. Enjoy the festival's traditional dance performances, including those by school children. The festival raises awareness about conserving these cranes. In the afternoon, hike the picturesque Gangtey Nature Trail, offering views of the Phobjikha valley.

In the afternoon, hike the Gangtey Nature trail along the Black Necked crane roosting area with a view of the lower Phobjikha valley. It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the Mani Stone Wall stupa to the north of Gangtey Gompa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang (temple). The hike takes around 45 minutes to an hour through the pine forest and small bamboo shrubs. You may spot a few of the early arrivals on this hike in their roosting areas.

Fluttering Prayer Flags

Optional

The lighting of the Butter Lamps

Optional

After breakfast, return to Wangdue. Explore Wangduephodrang Dzong, a historic site that played a pivotal role in unifying Bhutan. After lunch, proceed to visit the Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers as the religious and administrative centre of the region. Later, hike to Khamsum Yuelhay Namgyel Chorten, the most beautiful stupa in the country. Conceived in the form of a temple, it was built by the Royal Family in the early 1990s. The view of mountains and the valley below is spectacular from this chorten.

Excursion to Hot Springs at Gasa (Explore the Hot Water Springs of Gasa)

Optional

Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Optional

Walk to Chorten Nyingpo

Optional

White Water Rafting

Optional

After breakfast, drive back to Paro, descending from Dochu La, following 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. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower; it now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts.

Later, visit Sangchen Choekhor Shedra, high on the top of a hill on the north side of the valley. The Shedra, a Buddhist college, is home to about 150 monks studying for six years before they move on to Tango Monastery upon graduation. Soak up the scenic view of the valley and the spirituality of the temple.

Dharma Talk with Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi (on Buddhism, Culture and happiness quotient)

Optional

Farmhouse visit with Bhutanese dinner with a local family

Optional

Guided Mushroom Foraging

Optional

Hike to Jele Dzong

Optional

Visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery

Optional

After breakfast, hike to the Taktsang Monastery. It is 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 the Tiger's Nest. Embark on a hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. This Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Dharma Talk with Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi (on Buddhism, Culture and happiness quotient)

Optional

Farmhouse visit with Bhutanese dinner with a local family

Optional

Guided Mushroom Foraging

Optional

Hike to Jele Dzong

Optional

Visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery

Optional

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight.