Day 2: Paro – Taktsang Hike
After a short drive up till the road end we hike to the famous Taktsang Gompa. This monastery, aslo know as Tiger’s Nest clings spectacularly to a high rock face. In the afternoon drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. We may also have time to visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries of the kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro – Haa
Drive to Haa via Chele La (3988m), the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. The pass itself is marked by a multitude of prayer flags. Descend down to Haa valley and visit Lhakhang Karpo and Nagpo. Overnight at the hotel in Haa.

Day 4: Haa – Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, through the villages of Haa district to Chuzom ('confluence'). Visit Tashichho Dzong, ('the fortress of the glorious religion'), which houses His Majesty’s throne room and office for the cabinet secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Thimphu - Halt
Local sightseeing in Thimphu. As time permits, we visit: the National Chorten (built as a memorial to Bhutan’s Third King and as a monument to world peace); Changangkha Lhakhang which dates back to 12th century; the Takin Reserve, (the National animal of Bhutan); Dupthob Goemba, where female monks practice Buddhism; the institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (only the museum) where herbal medicines are made up and dispensed and traditional medicine practitioners are trained; Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits of rural life; the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, including many ancient Buddhist texts in block-printed format. In the afternoon visit to a traditional paper making factory and the National Weaving Centre.

Day 6: Thimphu - Punakha
Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3120m), stopping briefly here to take the view and admire the 108 Chortens or Druk Wangyel Chorten which was initiated by Her Royal Queen Mother Ashi dorji wangmo Wangchuck in honour of 4th Druk Gyalpo and his people for the victory in the war in southern Bhutan in 2003 and well being of all the sentient beings, and a mani wall and prayer flags which decorate the pass. If the weather is clear the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masangang (7158m or 23,484 feet), Tshedengang (6960m or 22,835 feet), Terigang (7060m or 23,163 feet), Jejegangphugang (7158m or 23,484 feet), Kahngphugang (7170m or 23,524 feet), Zongaphugang (7060m or 23,163 feet), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana and finally, Gangkar Puensum the highest peak in Bhutan at 7497m or 24,596 feet. Then descend down about 1700m to Punakha through a temperate type of leafy forest where rhododendrons bloom in spring season.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha (1300m).

Day 7: Punakha – Halt
After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong, the winter residence for the Chief Abbot, the head of the Monastic Body and the old capital of Bhutan. After this drive few Km hiking to Khamsum Namgyel Chorten. This stupa was built by the Queen mother of the 5th King of Bhutan.

After Khamsum we walk to Punakha through Yebasa village to Sonagasa where the car will be waiting.
After lunch visit to the newly built temple above hotel Zangdopelri.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Punakha – Phobjikha.
Short hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple which dates back to the 15th century. Couples without children, miscarriage, and early death of the children get here today to get the fertility blessings. Towards the afternoon drive to Phobjikha via Wangdue town (1350m). Afterward drive to Phobjikha, also the winter home for the Black Necked Cranes.
Overnight at the Hotel in Phobjikha. (3000m).

Day 9: Phobjikha – Halt
Drive down to the school ground and hike up to the Gangtey monastery. Now controlled by the government, it is the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan too. It's a 4 Km hike through marshy dwarf bamboo and blue pines decorated with long 'old man beard' (lichens) hanging from the trees. Visit the Monastery and RSPN Crane information centre. Overnight at hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 10: Phobjikha – Wangdue
After breakfast drive back to Wangdue via Lawa La, visit the Dzong which is also the district administration for Wangdue District, and walk in the town. After lunch hike to the Rinchengang village, where the houses have a very unusual building style. Overnight at hotel at Wangdue.

Day 11: Wangdue – Thimphu
After lunch drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan, on the way stop at Dochu La for tea/coffee and toilet break. After reaching Thimphu, free time to expose the capital city of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Thimphu – Phuentsoling
Today we will drive down to south to Phuentsoling via Chuzom. In the afternoon, visit Zangtopelri temple in the town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Phuentsoling – Guwahati
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the onward destination.

Day 02: Samdrup Jongkhar – Trashigang
After an early breakfast, we will drive north to Trashigang. As the road ascends, we pass through a variety of vegetation zones in the Himalayan foothills. Looking back we should get a distant view of the Indian plains. Heading further north, the road is so high that we may be above the clouds! The roadside is rich in plants including ferns, rhododendrons and primulas.

Late in the afternoon, we will visit Trashigang Dzong which houses the monastic institute for monks and administrative center for the valley. Dinner and overnight at a basic hotel.

Day 03: Trashigang – Trashi Yangtse - Mongar
Today we will drive further north, towards Tibet, to Trashi Yangtse and Gom Kora, situated near a luxuriant waterfall. Gom Kora Monastery was founded in the 8th century, by Guru Rimpoche, the great apostle that spread Buddhism in Bhutan then on to Mongar. We will then continue our drive until we reach Chorten Kora, built in the 1700’s and considered to be the largest chorten in Bhutan. We’ll then head into the valley of Trashi Yangtse where the locals are very famous for their woodwork. It’s then off to Mongar over the Khorila Pass (2400 Ms/8,000 Ft). A picnic lunch will be served en-route. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Mongar – Bumthang
We will travel via a series of switchbacks through the Thrimshing La Pass (3600 Ms/12,000 Ft), which is a protected national park for West Bengal tigers! It also hosts a botanical garden for rhododendrons. It will take about 7 hours to reach Bumthang including a short stop in the Ura Valley. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 5– Bumthang
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heart of Buddhism. In addition to the beautiful landscape, this area has numerous important monasteries. Guru Rimpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) spent much time here and influenced the sprouting of many temples.
In the morning we will hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery and Kurjey Lhakhang. We also visit Jambay Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Bumthang to Trongsa
After breakfast drive to Trongsa.
Bhutan’s monarch originates from Trongsa and we'll visit the recently established Museum of the Monarch. Also we visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Trongsa – Phobjikha
Today after breakfast we will drive to Wangdue via Gangtey and over Pele La Pass (3300 Ms/11,000 Ft). The drive is approximately 6,5 hours, climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo.

Phobjikha area is known as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas!

Dinner and overnight at simple hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 8: Phobjikha – Punakha
After breakfast we'll hike the nature trail in Phobjikha and visit Gangtey Gompa. This monastery is one of the biggest Nyingmapa Monasteries in western Bhutan. Nearby is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the Tibet and Ladakh.

On the way visit to Wangdi Dzong. This dzong was built in 1639. After Wangdi Dzong continue the drive to Punakha.
Dinner and o/n at Hotel in Punakha.

Day 9: Punakha – Halt
T\After breakfast visit to Punakha, which was the ancient capital of Bhutan from 1637 onwards.
After this drive and hiking to Khamsum Namgyel Chorten. This stupa was built by the Queen mother of the 5th King of Bhutan. We walk back to Punakha through Yebasa village to Sonagasa where the car will be waiting.
After lunch visit to the newly built temple above hotel Zangdopelri.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Punakha – Thimphu
About 30 minutes hiking through rice fields will take us to Chimi Lhakang which is situated on the hill top overlooking Lobesa village, Wangdi and Punakha. Lunch at Lobesa. After lunch drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan, on the way stop at Dochu La Pass (3120m) for tea/coffee and toilet break.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimpu.

Day 11: Thimphu - Halt
We will have time to visit a number of sites: Institute of Traditional Medicine; the Folk Heritage Museum; the Textile Museum; Tashi Choe Dzong; Zilukha Nunnery; the National Zoo (really more of a preserve for the national animal, the Takin) and the Handicrafts Emporium. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at hotel.

Thimphu is the busiest city in Bhutan and as such is also a cultural center with many sights to see and experience. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Thimphu – Paro
Dive to Paro and watch the festival. Apart from the mask dances during the day time dances and songs are performed in front of the visitors.

Tsechu means tenth day of the month in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. So every tenth day of the month is considered a very auspicious day in Bhutan and most of the festivals are performed on this date to honour Guru Rinpochhe.
To witness the costumes, dancing and singing of one of Bhutan’s tsechus is a treat! It will be easy to see how the Bhutanese manage to hang on to their culture after experiencing one of these festivals.

Day 13: Paro – Halt
Today we'll visit the Paro Tsechu. This festival honors Padma Sambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the precious yogi and saint who is credited with having introduced Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalayas. The festival's masked dances are performed by monks clad in colorful brocade attire and permeated by chants and reading of Buddhist scripts. The culmination of the festival constitutes the unfolding of a huge cloth thanka, a sacred scroll, depicting Padma Smabhawa and imagery from Buddhist pantheon. Tsechu literally means "day ten". Tsechus are annual religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism. They are held in each district or dzongkhang of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. The Paro tsechu is one of the biggest in terms of participation and audience. Tsechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Though tsechus are essentially religious happenings, usually lots of food stalls and stalls with merchandise spring up around the festival grounds, giving the event the atmosphere of a country fair.

After breakfast visit and witness the festival, or thongdrol, in the morning. Towards the afternoon visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Drugyel Dzong. Evening free time in the town.

Day 14: Paro – Halt (Hike to Taktsang)
The walk up to Takstang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) takes about 2 hours one way and there is a cafe half way up where there are spectacular views of the monastery perched on the side of the mountain.

We will have time at the monastery to view the many temples there and to enjoy the view. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

For many, to see the iconic Tiger’s Nest in person, might be the pinnacle of the entire trip.

Day 15: Departure from Paro Airport
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Day 02: Samdrup Jongkhar – Trashigang
After an early breakfast, we will drive north to Trashigang. As the road ascends, we pass through a variety of vegetation zones in the Himalayan foothills. Looking back we should get a distant view of the Indian plains. Heading further north, the road is so high that we may be above the clouds! The roadside is rich in plants including ferns, rhododendrons and primulas. Late in the afternoon, we will visit Trashigang Dzong which houses the monastic institute for monks and administrative center for the valley. Dinner and overnight at a basic hotel.

Day 03: Trashigang – Gom Kora & back
We drive back down and cross the bridge and follow right bank of the Gamri River. At a point 24 Km from Trashignag, you can see the temple of Gom Kora on the right, set on a small alluvial plateau overlooking the river.

Gom Kora is one of the famous places where Guru Rinpochhe meditated in order to subdue a demon who dwelt in the big rock. It was vanquished after Guru Rinpochhe turned himself into Garuda, the mythical griffin. The little temple, which was established in the second half of the 17th century on orders from Minjur Tenpa. The temple is renowned for its Tsechu or festival held in the 2nd lunar month. It is very different from other Tsechus. People circumambulate the temple and sacred rock throughout the night and the evening activities result in many marriages. Although, The day time is also entertaining as mask dances and songs will be performed in front of the visitors.

Tsechu means tenth day of the month in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. Every tenth day of the month is considered as an auspicious day in Bhutan and most of the festivals are performed on this date to honour Guru Rinpochhe.
To witness the costumes, dancing and singing of one of Bhutan’s tsechus is a treat! It will be easy to see how the Bhutanese manage to hang on to their culture after experiencing one of these festivals. Probably the tsechu is performed for three consecutive days.

For the overnight stay we drive back to Trashigang (1150m).

Day 4: Trashigang – Bumthang
We will travel via a series of switchbacks through the Thrimshing La Pass (3600 Ms/12,000 Ft), which is a protected national park for West Bengal tigers! It also hosts a botanical garden for rhododendrons. It will take about 7 hours to reach Bumthang including a short stop in the Ura Valley. Dinner and overnight hotel.

Day 5: Bumthang
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heart of Buddhism. In addition to the beautiful landscape, this area has numerous important monasteries. Guru Rimpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) spent much time here and influenced the sprouting of many temples. In the morning we will hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery and Kurjey Lhakhang. We also visit Jambay Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Bumthang to Trongsa
After breakfast drive to Trongsa. The history of Bhutan’s Monarch originates at Trongsa. At Trongsa we visit Trongsa Dzong and the Museum of the Monarch which is establish recently.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Trongsa – Phobjikha
Today after breakfast we will drive to Wangdue via Gangtey and over Pele-la Pass (11,000′). The drive is approximately 6.5 hours, climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This area is known as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas!

Dinner and overnight at simple hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 8: Phobjikha – Punakha
After breakfast we'll hike the nature trail in Phobjikha and visit Gangtey Gompa. This monastery is one of the biggest Nyingmapa Monasteries in western Bhutan. Nearby is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the Tibet and Ladakh. On the way visit to Wangdi Dzong. This dzong was built in 1639. After Wangdi Dzong continue the drive to Punakha.

Dinner and o/n at Hotel in Punakha.

Day 9: Punakha – Halt
After breakfast visit to Punakha, which was the ancient capital of Bhutan from 1637 onwards. After this drive and hiking to Khamsum Namgyel Chorten. This stupa was built by the Queen mother of the 5th King of Bhutan. We walk back to Punakha through Yebasa village to Sonagasa where the car will be waiting. After lunch visit to the newly built temple above hotel Zangdopelri.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Punakha – Thimphu
A 30 minutes one way hike through the rice field will take us to Chimi Lhakang which is situated on the hill top overlooking Lobesa village, Wangdi and Punakha. Lunch at Lobesa. After lunch drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan, on the way stop at Dochula for tea/coffee and toilet break.

Dinner and o/n at hotel.

Day 11: Thimphu - Halt
We will have time to visit a number of sites: Institute of Traditional Medicine; the Folk Heritage Museum; the Textile Museum; Tashi Choe Dzong; Zilukha Nunnery; the National Zoo (really more of a preserve for the national animal, the Takin) and the Handicrafts Emporium. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at hotel. Thimphu is the busiest city in Bhutan and as such is also a cultural center with many sights to see and experience. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Thimphu – Paro
We will depart early from Thimphu and drive into the valley of Paro. Here, we will begin our walk up to Takstang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). It takes about 2 hours one way and there is a cafe half way up where there are spectacular views of the monastery perched on the side of the mountain. We will have time at the monastery to view the many temples there and to enjoy the view. For many, to see the iconic Tiger’s Nest in person, might be the pinnacle of the entire trip.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Departure from Paro Airport
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.