Begin your day with a short drive to Kuenselphodrang, a popular vantage point, with the biggest Buddha statues in the world. This site offers a panoramic view of the capital below and also has several walking trails, which range from leisurely to moderate. Then visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the Third King and for world peace. Continue to the picturesque 12th-century Changangkha Temple and Nunnery at Zilukha. Afterwards, visit the Folk Heritage Museum featuring an exhibition of items and artifacts from Bhutanese villages and rural households. After visiting the museum we will walk to the School for Arts & Crafts which is located close to the museum. This is one of the interesting schools where young boys & girls learn 13 different skills of arts & crafts in Bhutan. You can visit the vegetable market Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The road takes you over Dochu-La pass (3,100m) where you will stop to walk around the 108 stupas and, if the weather is clear, you will enjoy an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. En route, we will stop on the pass for hoisting prayer flags. Before reaching Punakha, visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Lamperi. The Park (47 square kilometers) serves as a biological corridor connecting Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and features a variety of forest types, spectacular scenery, natural rhododendron groves, endangered wildlife, and a lake. Continue your drive towards Punakha through beautiful countryside offering a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area, vast Rhododendron forests grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May, covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring color. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha

In the morning after breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness”. It was built in 1637 by the Zhabdrung, the Unifier of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu (Male and Female river) and it is also the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move in masses from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. After visiting the Dzong we will walk for about 10 minutes to see the swing bridge built over Pho Chu connecting people from Shengana village with Punakha Dzong. This is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan constructed around 2001. After lunch, take a short walk across rice paddies to take us to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as the Divine Madman. Then enjoy exploring the villages in and around Lobesa Valley where you will have the opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about the rural lifestyle in Bhutan. If you are interested, we can arrange a homestay in one of the villages in Lobesa, with an opportunity to learn how to prepare some Bhutanese dishes and also try out local alcohol brewed from rice and wheat known as “ARA” But this arrangement to be done at the time of tour booking. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha

After breakfast transfer to Phobjikha Valley via the market town of Wangduephodrang. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forests, and over a high pass down into the wide and picturesque Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. The valley is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. Visit the Black Necked Crane Education Center to learn fascinating facts about Black-necked Crane, visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Phobjikha.

Morning walk to explore the village of Gangtey before departing for Paro (approx 7 hrs). From Gangtey the road gradually descends into the balmy Punakha valley before climbing up over Dochu La Pass. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast hike to Tiger’s Nest. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the Paro Valley floor. You can either choose to hike or take a pony to transport you halfway. You have to pay approximately $35 one-way charges to a Pony Service Provider. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before subjugating the malicious spirits, and concealing profound treasures for the benefit of sentient beings, the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. Nearby there is a cafeteria where you can stop for refreshments before returning to Paro for lunch. In the afternoon drive to the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, a historic monument built by the Zhabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather, the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu is built like the Jokhang in Lhasa. Inside there is a great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for the flight to your onward destination.

Tashi Delek!