ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PARO

Experience stunning views of Mount Everest, the sacred Mount Jhomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Arrival at Paro International Airport, meeting with Bhutanese friends, discussing the tour program and overnight stay.

PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY

Taktsang Monastery, located 10 km from Paro town, is a famous meditation place where Guru Padam Sambhaya, the second Buddha in Bhutan, descended on the back of a flying tigress. The hike takes about 4 hours and includes a picnic lunch at Taksang Canteen. After lunch visit to Druhyal Dzong, a ruined forest with historical significance for Bhutan's victory over Tibet. Mount Jhomolhari and Kyichu Lhakhang, two of the country's 108 monasteries, are also visited. The National Museum, formerly the Paro Rimpong Dzong watchtower, is also visited.

THIMPHU – SIGHT SEEING

Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa in honor of the third king of Bhutan, and visit the mini zoo. Drive to Sangeygang for a spectacular view of the Thimpu Valley. Explore the woodworking and painting schools, the Handicrafts Centre, the National Library and the Tashi Nancha Folk Studio. Enjoy lunch in Thimphu, drive towards Dodena and trek Thimphu Chu.

THIMPHU – PHUNAKHA

Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, a 3150 m high pass with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of the Eastern Himalayas and Gasa Dzong. Visit Kochula, home to 16 species of Bhutanese rhododendrons and various Primula, Lauraceae, Oaks, Virburnaum, Magnolia, Daphne, Arisasema spp. Gentian and Himalayan Acer. Continue along the old road to the town of Punakha, where Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of Je Khenpo, is located. Overnight at Punakha Hotel.

PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING

Tashithang, the largest park in Bhutan, is home to diverse subtropical vegetation including epiphytic orchids, terrestrial orchids, wild bananas and tree species such as Engleherdia, Taulum, Magnolia, Symploccus, Litsea, Cinnamomum and Rubus ssp.

PUNAKHA – GANGTEY VALLEY

After breakfast, drive to the Gangtey Valley, visiting Chhimi Lhakhang, also known as the "Temple of Fertility", where Devine Madman meditated. Drive to Wangdiphodrang Valley, have lunch at Wangue Phodrang and drive through Pele La Pass to see rhododendrons, legumes, magnolias and cypresses. Overnight at Phobiikha Valley Hotel.

GANGTEY VALLEY – BUMTHANG

The journey to the Bumthang Valley, 200 km, involves a 6-hour drive through the Pelela Pass, a 3340 m high pass and dense bamboo forests. Lunch is at Chendebia, followed by a drive to Trongsa where you can visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family, and Ta Dzong. The drive to the Bumthang Valley via the Yutla Pass is scenic and offers hospitality from Bhutanese families.

BUMTHANG VALLEY – URA VALLEY

After breakfast, drive to Ura Valley, an impressive village, and visit Mebar Tso (burning lake) where you will see different types of plants. Visit the Ura Monastery to witness the annual festival and spend the night in a lodge or village.

URA VALLEY – BUMTHANG

Go to Thriumshing LA National Park, established in 1998, covering Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhimgang and districts. Explore endemic species, bird, reptile, amphibian and red panda. Return to Bumtang in the afternoon.

BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG

Return to Wangdue. On the way back, stop at many places to see what you missed. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue.

WANGDUE PHODRANG – HAA VALLEY

After breakfast, departure to Thimphu, lunch and Ha Valley, a recently opened tourist area in the temperate zone. Explore the flora and fauna, including trees, shrubs and herbaceous species. 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. Chele-la is a site for Bhutanese flora with numerous special plants such as primroses, rhododendron, iris, birch, lily, stonecrop, bergenia, oomy, pedicularis and bitter gourd. Overnight at Paro Hotel.

PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE

An early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friend from Makalu Adventure will see you off as you embark on the next journey back.