(Distance: 65 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.)

After completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute stop at Chuzom, confluence of Thimphu (Wang Chhu) and Paro (Pa Chhu) rivers. Here you will see three stupas, built in Bhutanese, Tibetan, and Nepalese styles. On arrival in Thimphu, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering a magnificent view of Thimphu Town; the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, circumambulated by people offering prayers; the Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional house giving an insight into the Bhutanese lifestyle and artefacts from rural households; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu; and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

(Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha. Later, halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 m.. The landmarks around the pass include 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. It is a short hike of around 30 to 45 minutes. Later, visit Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers. Later, check in at the hotel. Evenings are free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

(Distance: 78 kms. / Driving Time: 3 hrs. / Altitude of Gangtey (Phobjikha): 2,900 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be taken to Gangtey, a beautiful glacial valley that is home to the Black Necked Crane, which arrived in the winter. Here you can also visit Gangtey Goemba, the monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, and the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane-watching equipment and reference books. Later in the evening, return to the hotel. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.
OR
Alternatively, hike Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a hike of about 45 minutes. It offers a breathtaking view of the Punakha Valley. Later, visit Punakha Suspension Bridge and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. The rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

(Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Paro. En route, stop at the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi, Bhutan’s first botanical park. Later, continue your drive to Paro. On the way again, stop at the Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit that was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro, built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as the Iron Bridge Builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Paro Valley, built in 1951 and now converted into national museum. Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. Walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, also known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge, a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting Paro town to the Dzong. Later, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100m in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The hike to the monastery takes about 5–6 hours to complete. As the hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep with stiff stairs, it is not recommended to take the hike with small children or elderly people. On the way back, visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast you would be dropped at the Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!