• A week of the best that Bhutan has to offer.. travelling into the heartland of Bhutan and viewing some of the more remote 'dzongs'•

On arrival in Paro you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Tiger Nest resort, set in pine trees in direct view of the most famous Buddhist monastery in the Himalayas (Tiger's Nest). Paro is set within a beautiful valley, through which you will have flown as you landed at Paro airport (currently the only airport in Bhutan). The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7300m) situated to the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu, the river that flows through the town.
Meals: (Lunch/Dinner)

Sightseeing in Paro today includes a visit to the northern part of the valley to Drukgyel Dzong ruins (Monastery Fortress) that once was a strategic post to withhold invading Tibetan forces from the north. Built in 1649 the the Dzong was said to have housed the finest armoury in the country. Check out the intriguing pictures on the walls of the village houses as you approach the ruins. Today you will hike up to the Tiger's Nest known as Taktsang- one of the most spectacular and most sacred pilgrim sites to all Buddhists. One of the great founders of Tantric Buddhism- Guru Padmasambhava is known to have flown on a tigress to meditate on the cliffs - the tigress being his consort, the divine Yeshe Tsogyel. The Tiger's Nest is popular with locals who are legally obliged to wear national dress to visit it. Return to Paro and visit the market.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Morning in Paro to visit the fortified tower Ta Dzong, now a natural history museum- one of the finest in Asia and the cantilver bridge that leads up to it is an excellent spot for a photo. After this you will be driven to Thimphu. the drive takes just over an hour and the road follows the valley with some spectacular scenery en route. On arrival visit the handicraft centre before checking in to your hotel.

Thimphu is a bustling town on the banks of the Thimpu Chhu and set gloriously in the hills of the Thimpu valley. Since the 1950's it has been the seat of the Royal (and now parlimentary) government and is home to several foreign missions and development organisations. It also has Bhutan's only golf course; a nine-hole circuit situated next to the magnificent Dzong.

Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Morning visits to the Memorial Chorten and the National Library. After lunch visit the handmade paper factory & the school of Thanka painting; stroll about town. The capital is the centre of Bhutan's rapid growth and the outskirts show significant construction work. But the importance of the national identity is shown by the many people wearing national dress and the compete absence of western style advertising.
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Early morning scenic drive on the mountain route towards the former capital of Bhutan passing through the Dochu La pass

(alt. 10,000 feet); stunning scenery of Himalayan ranges. Descend to Punakha and tour the town. After picnic lunch by the Wangdi river continue to Wangdiphodrang Dzong, the most picturesque in Bhutan; overnight at the Hotel.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Excursion to the serene Gangtey valley, home of the rare black-necked cranes that winter over from Tibet (Oct-March); visit the Gangtey Gonpa monastery- one of only two Nyingma (old sect) monasteries in Bhutan. Overnight at a farm house or lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Return to Thimphu via the Simtokha Dzong the oldest in Bhutan. After lunch drive to Paro & transfer to the Hotel .
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

You will be transferred to Paro airport for your exit flight.
Meals: (Breakfast)