ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PARO

The traveler will see Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan mountains from the left side of the plane and will be greeted by a Bhutanese friend upon arrival at Paro International Airport.

PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY

Visit the Taktsang Monastery, known as the "Tiger's Nest", located on a 4000 ft vertical granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley and the river. The monastery is believed to have been the place of meditation of Guru Padma Sambhava in the 8th century. After lunch, visit Drugyal Dzong, a ruined fortress, and Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gompo in 659 AD to spread Buddhism. Visit the National Museum, which was converted into a museum in 1968, and the Paro Rimpong Dzong, built in 1646 AD. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

THIMPHU – SIGHT SEEING

Visit Memorial Chorten, Mini Zoo, Sangeygang, Nunnary, School of Handicrafts and Wood Painting, Handicraft Trade Centre, National Library, Tashi Nancha Folk Studio and drive towards Dodena. Explore Thimphu Chu, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park and Tashi Nancha Folk Studio. Enjoy an early lunch at your hotel in Thimphu and then drive towards Dodena.

THIMPHU – PHUNAKHA

The journey to Punakha includes a drive through the Dochula Pass (3150m), an amazing place with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of the Eastern Himalayas and the Gasa Dzong. The pass is home to 16 species of Bhutanese rhododendrons, primroses, laurels, oaks, virburnum, magnolia, daphne, Arisaema spp. Gentian and Himalayan Acer. The journey continues through various green scenery to the town of Punakha, where Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of Je Khenpo, serves as the district administrative office.

PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING

The largest park in Bhutan, Tashithang is home to a variety of subtropical vegetation including epiphytic orchids, terrestrial orchids, wild bananas and tree species. Overnight at Punakha Hotel.

PUNAKHA – GANTEY VALLEY

After breakfast, we will drive to the Gangtey Valley where we will visit the Chhimi Lhakhang, a 14th century 'Temple of Fertility' where Devine Madman meditated. We go to Wangdiphodrang, Gantey Gonpa and Wangue Phodrang. We drive through the Pele La pass, we see rhododendrons, legumes, magnolias and weeping cypresses. Overnight in Phobjikha valley.

GANGTEY VALLEY – BUMTHANG

The journey to the Bumthang Valley takes 6 hours via the Pelela Pass, 3340m above sea level, passing stunted bamboo, yak wintering grounds and rhododendron forest. Lunch is at Chendebji. After lunch, transfer to Trongsa where you can visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family, and Ta Dzong. The journey to Bumthang Valley via Yutola Pass takes 3 hours and offers scenic beauty. Overnight in a guesthouse.

BUMTHANG VALLEY – URA VALLEY

After breakfast, you will drive to the Ura Valley, an impressive village in the country, where you will stop at Mebar Tso to see different types of plants and trees. Visit Ura Monastery to witness the annual festival and spend the night in Ura Village.

URA VALLEY – BUMTHANG

We will visit Thriumshing La National Park, established in 1998 in Bhutan, which includes districts such as Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhemgang and Mongar. The park is home to endemic species, reptiles, amphibians and bird species. We will return to Bumtang and stay overnight.

BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG

Return to Wangdue. During the return trip, we will stop at many places to see what we missed, for a new flower, confirmation, etc. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue

WANGDUE PHODRANG – HAA VALLEY

After breakfast, we will drive to Thimphu for lunch and then to the Haa Valley, a tourist area in the temperate zone. Explore a variety of flora and fauna, including trees and shrubs. Overnight at a hotel in the Haa Valley.

HAA VALLEY – PARO VALLEY

After breakfast, drive to the Paro valley through the Chele La pass, which divides the Haa and Paro valleys. This route was important for travelers visiting Bhutan from northwest India. British envoys and botanists mentioned Chele-la, a locality with extensive Bhutanese flora. Ludlow and Sherriff compiled a historical record of 21,000 Bhutanese plants passing through this pass. Overnight at Paro Hotel.

PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for departure

An early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from Makalu Adventure will accompany you to head back home.