Explore Bhutan Tour - 8 Days

Arrival Paro to Hotel and rest of the day

Visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort  Drive back and hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley.  Late after  noon drive 1 & 1/2 hours to Thimphu (65 Kms) which is the capital of Bhutan. Evening free time. Overnight at hotel.

Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and  the new Drupthob nunnery temple. PM drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and  warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Dzong from outside and the market area. Overnight at hotel .

Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes  over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine.  After one and half hours from Chendebji Chorten arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan  refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was con trolled from  this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Karma Tobden GuestHouse or similar.

Bumthang altitude 2600m, has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of  Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay  Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is  more interesting done on foot. Overnight at hotel.

Drive back to Wangduephodrang via Gangtay Valley (9/10hrs). Overnight at at hotel.

Visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda  takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and  proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist  university. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar.