Enchanting Bhutan

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT PARO – THIMPHU (65 KMS / 02 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts)
Arrive Paro by Druk Airways, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities are completed, you will be received by ITT members and transferred to Thimphu (65 KMS / 02 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts), the capital of Bhutan. Go on a sightseeing tour. Vsit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. Later, visit the Memorial Chorten, 15 century Changangkha Monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple. Afternoon / Evening time at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02: THIMPHU – WANGDI (70 KMS / 03 HRS, 1350Mts/4430Fts)
After breakfast drive for 3 HRS to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochu la pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. Visit Punakha Dzong (The Punakha Dzong is closed in the month of winter when the monk body is in Punakha. Visit to Dzong and Monasteries is limited till courtyard only) built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. Further proceed 20 minutes to Wangduephodrang (17 KMS / 20 Mins, 1350Mts/4430Fts) and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: WANGDI – BUMTHANG (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2477Mts /8125Fts)
After breakfast drive almost (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2477Mts /8125Fts) Crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. After one and half hrs from Chendebji Chorten, arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hrs to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: BUMTHANG
After breakfast go for sightseeing of Bumthang, which comprises of four smaller valleys and the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05: BUMTHANG – WANGDI
After breakfast drive back to Wangduephodrang (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 1350Mts /4430Fts). Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: WANGDI – THIMPHU – PARO (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts)
After breakfast drive 5 HRS to Paro (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts) via Lobesa and a short walk through farm houses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple is visited mostly by childless couples. Have lunch at Thimphu (optional) and drive to Paro visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07: PARO
After breakfast, Visit Paro for its ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the Dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) Opening Hours - Tuesday to Saturday - 0900HRS TO 1600HRS & Closed On Sunday,Monday & National Holidays , which was built in 1651 as a watch tower. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National Museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thankha paintings. Take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08: PARO
After breakfast, you can enjoy a walk along the Paro River or visit the colorful handicraft and souvenir shops in the market place. Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09: PARO DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your journey back home.