One will have the opportunity to see almost the whole country on this tour package.
Day 01 (Arrive – Paro): During the journey by Druk Air (Bhutan’s National Airline), one will experience spectacular view of Mt. Everest (of Nepal) and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the revered Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt Jichu Drake of Bhutan.
On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Mangalam Tours and Treks and escort you to the Hotel. Thereafter visit Bhutan National Museum, fascinating place housed watchtower in a round fortress called Ta Dzong above the huge Paro Dzong. This will be followed by visit to Rinpung Dzong – regional administrative and religious centre, visit Kyichu temple which was believe to be build in 7 th century. In the evening free time to stroll around the township of Paro. Overnight at hotel Paro.
Day 02 (Paro):Drive to north of the valley and embark on a short trek to Taktsang Monastery (Popularly known as Tiger’s Nest). For the Bhutanese or Buddhist, it is a sacred pilgrimage site for the Buddhist World. The Taktsang monastery clings, on seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff at 9680ft. The steep uphill hike to Taktsang, takes 2-3 more hours to get to the view point. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up till the tea house). Again walk back down hill till the bus stop and drive to Drukgyal Dzong (the victory fortress) which is now in ruins. It is about 16 kms away from Paro town. On a clear day one can get a breath-taking view of Mt. Jhomolhari while you drive to Drukgyal Dzong 17 th century.
Late afternoon- visit farm house if time permits. Overnight at hotel Paro.
Day 03 (Paro – Thimphu): Drive from Paro to Thimphu (Modern Capital of Bhutan), will take around 2 hours and beautiful view of the countryside. Thimphu has an estimated population of about 70,000 people. Check in and after lunch at hotel, start the tour of few places in Thimphu. Visit memorial chorten built in 1974 in the memory of third king, Jime Dorji Wangchuk, who is popular regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. Then visit Tashichho dzong built in mid of 17 th century, this fortress serves as the office of the king, ministers and various government organizations. It is also the headquarter for central monastic body of Bhutan. Evening free time to stroll around Thimphu town. Overnight at hotel Thimphu.
Day 04 (Thimphu): Thimphu sightseeing includes Traditional Medicine Institute, Folk Heritage Museum, Hand made Paper Factory, National library, Nunnery school, School of Arts & Crafts, Handicraft Emporium, Motithang zoo, where one can see the National animal of Bhutan- “Takin” and Sangay Gang (Thimphu view point). Mangalam tours and treks can also arrange a performance of mask dances and folk dances at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts if the group consists of more than 9(nine) persons if time permits. Evening free time for shopping. Overnight at hotel Thimphu.
Day 05 (Thimphu – Punakha): Drive from Thimphu to Punakha will take around 3 hours. Stop at Dochula Pass (3050 meters above sea level) to get a fine view of the Himalayan range if weather permits and take a short break tea & coffee at the café at Dochula. After noon Visit Punakha Dzong builds in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and also winter residence of the monk body for 6 months. It is one of the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan and also ancient capital of Bhutan. If time permits, visit Chimmi Lhakhang (short walk of about half an hour through paddy fields to get to Chimmi Lhakhang -Monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, Divine Mad man). Evening free time for walk and overnight at hotel Punakha.
Day 06 (Punakha – Trongsa): Early morning drive to Trongsa via Wangdue Phodrang across Pelela pass (3300m), traditionally this pass is considered as the boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a great monk named Shida, it has Nepalese style eyes painted at four cardinal points. Arrive Tongsa and check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel Trongsa.
Day 07 (Trongsa – Bumthang): After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours from Tongsa. One will cross Yutong La pass (3400 m). Further 13 kms ahead, the road enters into a wide, open, cultivated valley known as Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge.
Day 08 (Bumthang): Bumthang valley is one of the most hallowed valleys in the Kingdom and countless legends surround the area. This is the place where Guru Rimpoche first visited in 7th century. The present Royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pemalingpa, which was from this valley. Sight seeing includes visit to Kurje Lhakhang (where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), Jampel lhakhang which was built in 7th century, then Jakar dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in 17th century by Tenzin Rabgay (the fourth Desi or the temporal ruler), Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by terton Pema Lingpa (the religious treasures discoverer). Then visit Kunchosum lhakhang and “Meebertsho” (the flaming lake) in fact it is a gorge where the river runs through but the legend has it that Pema Lingpa discovered religious text from this lake. Other good places to visit are the woodcraft workshop and the cheese factory. Evening free time for walk and relax and dinner at the lodge. Overnight at lodge Bumthang.
Day 09 (Bumthang – Mongar): After breakfast, drive to Ura village and visit Ura Lhakhang and then continue drive to Mongar through Thrumshingla Pass (3750mts highest pass on this east –west highway). Picnic lunch will be served En-route. You will begin your journey to eastern Bhutan, which is different from western and central Bhutan in term of development and lifestyle. The steepness of the region lends itself to some spectacular views, with rushing waterfalls and sheer drops. The drive on this is an exhilarating 8 hours from Thrumshing La once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on the clear day. Drive continues to Mongar and you can wander around Mongar town. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 (Mongar – Lhuntse): Day excursion to Lhuntse is 76 km about 3 hours and road was inaugurated in 1980.The Lhuntse road winds around the hill to Chali then the few houses of Palangphu. The district is famous for the skill of its weavers. It is also the ancestral home of the royal family, Jigme Namgyel, the father of the first king of Bhutan was born in the Dungkhar village in Lhuntse. Lhuntse Dzong is overlooking the Kuri Chuu valley and sits high on a rocky out crops. Visit Lhuntse Dzong and lunch will be provided en-route. Drive back to Mongar and evening sit down to a relaxing dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 (Mongar – Trashigang): Trashigang is 92 kilometers from Mongar, a four hours drive. Tashigang dzong is built high on the cliff above the confluence of two rivers. Overnight at hotel Trashigang.
Day 12 (Day excursion to Trashi Yangtse): 53 Kilometers from Trashigang is the beautiful valley of Trashiyangtse. Today you will visit Trashi Yangtse, which is a small, pretty, quite town. The people are known for making wooden bowls and containers, which are said to be best in Bhutan. Just below the town is the Chorten Kora. Along the way to Tashi Yangtse you will stop at the Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in the rock cave and one can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body on the rock. Visit Dzong and explore in the town of Tashi Yangtse.
Chorten Kora is one of the attractions of this valley in Eastern Bhutan. It is a great Chorten built in 1740 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Its annual tsechu (religious festival) attracts enormous crowds. Drive back to Trashigang and overnight at the hotel Trashigang.
Day 13 (Trashigang – Samdrupjongkhar): It is 180km it takes about 6/7 hours drive from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar on winding road, passing through several villages and En-route visit hand loom ( weaving centre) in Khaling and also blind school. The road drops gradually from the temperate forested hills, through rain forest like region to the base of the foothill. Lunch will be served along the way. Samdrup Jongkhar being the border town of Indian state of Assam and people has Indian character, even though it tries to maintain Bhutanese appearance. Arrive Samdrup Jongkhar and overnight at hotel Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 14 (Samdrup Jongkhar- Guwahati): Leave Bhutan for Guwahati (Assam, India) to catch your flight. Drive will take about 3 hours and it is about 110 kms.