Day 1: Bangkok-Paro
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all the mountain flights. The first three gifts you will receive from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air you feel as you step out of the plane. The second will be warm welcome you will receive from your YANA Expeditions Team. The third – the enchanting Paro valley. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum’s collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. After museum you will visit the Paro Dzong who now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. Evening you will explore the Paro town. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel Gangtey Palace or similar. -L/D
Day 2: Paro-Thimphu
After breakfast you will drive to Thimphu – the capital of Bhutan. Upon arrival you drive to the weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday evening. Next you will visit the Bhutan Post, where you will have time to admire and buy some stamps – Bhutan is well known among the philatelists and stamps constitute one of its delightful exports. Check in and lunch at hotel. After lunch visit the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum and Traditional Paper factory. Evening you will visit the Government Handicrafts Emporium for souvenir. Dinner and overnight at Hotel River View or Similar. – B/L/D
Day 3: Thimphu
You will start your day with a visit to Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in 1974 to honor the memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is known in Bhutan’s history as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” since the modern developments be began during his reign. Then you will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then you will drive to Sangaygang – the view point. It is also known as “Lover’s Point” where young couples come to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley. Next you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as “Iron Bridge Builder.” It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. Lunch in town. After lunch you will drive north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century. It takes about an hour and the trail takes you through the gradual ascend. The monastery now has about 200 practicing monks. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. Overnight at hotel River View or Similar. B/L/D
Day 4: Thimphu-Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha across the Dochula pass (3100m). If weather favors you, then you will get to enjoy the magnificent views of the eastern Himalayas. The pass is marked by a large massive Choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyal Choetens) and prayer flags. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit Wangduephodrang After lunch you will visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and it now serves as the administration center of Wangdue district and the district monk body. Evening you will visit the YANA Expeditions owned farmhouse located about 10 minutes from your hotel. A visit to the farm house would offer you a closer look at the Kingdom’s unique culture, which dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all guests, even to perfect strangers. Dinner and overnight at hotel Y.T. or Similar. – B/L/D
Day 5: Punakha
Morning you will visit the Punakha Dzong which is built at the confluence of Phochu and Mochu in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. You will have time to admire the fine Bhutanese architecture. The dzongs were built without even a single iron nail on it. Then you hike the Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten. The hike will take you through the rice fields and the view of the Punakha valley from the Choeten is stunning. You will return to the hotel for hot lunch. After lunch hike to Chimi Lhakhang – a Buddhist temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay who is also known as “Divine Madman” in the west. It is an easy hike through the village of Yuwakha and rice fields. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel Y.T. or Similar. – B/L/D
Day 6: Punakha-Paro
Today you will drive to Paro via Thimphu. Cultural Show consisting of mask and folk dances. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch you will have time to do the final shopping you may have. You will then resume your drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel Gangtey Palace or Similar. – B/L/D
Day 7: Jun 7(Thu)/Paro
Day Excursion to Taktshang literally known as Tiger’s Nest. This is one of Bhutan’s most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9200 ft., where you will stop to enjoy hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may also want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. Evening you will visit the Drukgyel Dzong which was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese armies over the Tibetan intruders. On route you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel Gangtey Palace or Similar. B/L/D
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast you will drive to the Paro International Airport for your onward destination. Your YANA Expeditions Team will assist you with check in formalities and bid you farewell. – B