Welcome to Land of Thunderdragon

• Visit Paro Dzong, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Drukpa Kagyu Sect.
• Visit Paro Museum (once a watchtower for enemies)
• Visit Dumtseg Lhakhang, (built in 1421 by Lama Thangtong Gyelpo-the iron bridge builder)
• Visit Drugyal dzong, which is a preserved heritage site (The name literally means Fortress of the Victorious, which was built to commemorate victory over Tibetans by the Drukpas in the 17th century.)
• Night halt at Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, located in the valley of river Wangchu.

• Visit Tashi Choedzong, built in 1702. It is the main secretariat building housing the Throne Room of His Majesty, Government offices and serves as the summer residence of the central monk body.
• Thimphu maintains a strong National Characteristics in architectural style and offers an ideal spot for walks. Other interesting places - Memorial Chorten, Indigenous Hospital, National library, Handicrafts Emporium, Textile museum, Vegetable market, Takin conservation park, etc. (Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan, is an animal found only in the eastern Himalayas and has the head of a goat and body of a cow).
• Ascend Sangay Gang hill (BBS Tower) by coach for a magnificent view of the Thimphu Valley.
• Visit Changangkha Lhakhang built in the 12th century.
• Night halt in Thimphu.

• Visit Tango and Cheri Monasteries, situated north of Thimphu and about 30 minutes drive from the main Thimphu town, followed by another 30 minutes walk through the lush green vegetation.
• Tango Monastery was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa in the 12th century and is now an important centre of learning for monks.
• Is also associated with Lama Drukpa Kuenley and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The name Tango means head of the horse.
• Cheri Monastery was built in 1620 on a hilltop. A Silver Chorten inside the Lhakhang holds the ashes of Zhabdrung’s father late Tenpai Nyima.
• The trek to the monastery starts by crossing a lovely wooden bridge that spans the Thimphu River, and then ascends steeply till the monetary.
• If you are lucky, you can see mountain goats walking comfortably on the steep cliffs.
• Night halt at Thimphu.

• Depart Thimphu for Punakha.
• On the way, stop at Dochula (Dochula Pass), which is 3000 metres above sea level. The pass offers a majestic view of the Himalayan range with snow-capped mountains.
• Enjoy tea at the refreshment kiosk and explore the 108 holy chortens built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
• Further on, visit the fertility monastery of Chimey Lhakhang, built  by the Mad Monk, Lama Drukpa Kunley.
• Visit Punakha Dzong, built at the confluence of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It was badly damaged by flash flood in the 1990s and recently renovated.
• Night halt at Punakha.

• Drive to Trongsa.
• En route, stop at Pelila Pass 3,300 metres above sea level.
• Stop at Chendebji Chorten, where a stupa similar to the Boudhnath in Nepal was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida.
• Visit Trongsa Dzong built in 1647 and Trongsa Ta-Dzong (formerly a watch tower) built in 1652 which has been developed into a Museum.
• Trongsa Dzong is very significant as Bhutan’s royal lineage started from here, when Trongsa Penlop Sir Ugyen Wangchuk was appointed the 1st Hereditary Monarch. All  Crown Princes hold the title of Trongsa Penlop, before enthronement as the King.
• Night halt at Trongsa.

• Drive to Bumthang,
• En-route visit Tharpaling Monastery and Domkhar Dzong. Tharpaling Monastery was built in 1352 by Longchen Rabjam, the great philosopher of the Dzogchen, a sect within the Nyigmapa School. Domkhar Tashi Choling was built in 1937 and was the summer palace of the Second King.
• Night halt at Bumthang.

• Visit Jakar Dzong built in 1549 by Ngagi Wangchuk, the great grandfather of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Jakar Lhakhang, within the Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and was founded in 1445 by a descendent of Dorji Lingpa, the treasure discoverer. It contains very fine mural paintings. The highlight is the painting of Ushnishavijaya or Tsugtor Namgyelma, a Jakar deity represented in a Chorten stupa.
• Bumthang valley is considered the most sacred place in Bhutan, and houses the Kurjee Lhakhang (built in 1652) by the First Trongsa Penlop and 3 rd Deb Raja of Bhutan Chhogyal Migyur Tenpa; Jampa Lhakhang built in 7th century by the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo,;Tamzhing Lhakhang, built in 1501-1505 by Pema Lingpa and others.   If time permits, a visit to Kharchu Dratshang, a recent establishment and seat of His Holiness Namkhai Nyingpo can be made.
• Night halt at Bumthang.

• Drive and hike to Tang Ugyen Choling Museum.
• On the way visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang and Tang Mebartsho, the Burning Lake where Terton Pema Lingpa discovered a sacred religious treasure in 1475.
• Night halt at Bumthang.

• After breakfast drive to Phobjikha (home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the north in winter).
• Enroute visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, built in 1639 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a majestic ridge above the Puna Tsang Chu River.
• Visit Gangtey Goempa, an institution for Buddhist studies, built in the 17th century.
• From the monastery, one can have a full scenic view of Phobjikha valley.
• Night halt at Phobjikha.

• Drive to Paro.
• On the way visit Semtokha Dzong the oldest, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Night halt at Paro

• Climb to Taktsang Monastery, which was built in 1645. This is the signature monastery of Bhutan and features in all travel books. Taktsang, literally means Tiger's Nest. You could walk. If not horses are arranged after prior notice.

Late afternoon stroll in Paro Town for final shopping.

Depart for Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi and Kathmandu by Druk Air.