Day 1: Arrive at Paro
Altitude: 2320m, Drive Time: 1 hour (58km)
Your Guide from Yak Holidays will receive you at the Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, view Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel/Guest house.
Day 2: Thimphu Tour
Altitude: 2320m
In the morning we will visit the largest and tallest statue of Buddha in the world, which sits just above the city of Thimphu. Following that we will cross the valley and take a walk up the Sangaygang view point for a view of the valley with Thimphu below.
After lunch, visit National Postal Museum and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive. In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs along the streets of Thimphu.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel/Guest house.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Altitude: 1310m, 76 Km, 3 hrs drive.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3100m). We stop for a while at the pass for amazing views of the Himalayas. Just on the other side of the pass we will visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi which houses over 46 species of Rhododendron (They bloom in April and May). Before reaching Punakha we will make a stop at Chimi Lhakhang (the Temple of Fertility), which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as "The Divine Madman"). in the year 1499. After lunch we will head to Punakha Dzong (one of the largest in Bhutan) built in 1637. Dzong architecture is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found mainly in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel/Guest house.
Day 4: Punakha to Bumthang
Altitude: 2800m, 211 km, Drive Time: 6 hours
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. After Lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Continue driving east through the mountains to Bumthang.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel/ Guest house.
Day 5: Bumthang
Altitude: 2800m
After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means "The Castle of the White Bird" and continue on to see Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 AD on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. After lunch, Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message) the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom and continue on to Membartsho, which literally means, "The Burning Lake". It was here that the Terton Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th century.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel/ Guest house.
Day 6: Bumthang Owl Trek (Start)
Altitude: 3450m. (6 to 7 km, 3 hours)
The trek starts from Manchu gang and reach Dhur village at an elevation of 2900 meters. The inhabitants of the village are the Kheps and Brokpas (nomads). This village has two different dialects, the usual Bumthang Kha and the Brokke (nomadic dialects). Near the river is a traditional water-driven flour mill which used to be a source of livelihood for the people of Dhur village. Resuming the trek is the uphill climb through the blue pine forest towards the campsite at Schonath (3450m) in hemlock and juniper forest. The hooting of owls through the night is quite common, hence the name The Owl Trek.
Overnight in Camp.
Day 7: Bumthang Owl Trek: Schonath to Kitphu
Altitude: 3870m. (6 km and 3 hours of hiking)
The second day of trekking is mainly through fresh forest of hemlock, fir, spruce and many species of rhododendron which are in full bloom during the months of April and May. After a few hours of walking you will arrive at the Drangela Pass (3600m). After descending from the pass you will again climb up the Kitiphu ridge which brings you to an altitude of about 3870m where you will camp for night. From this point you can have a fresh view of Bhutan's snow capped mountains and can see Mount Gangkarpunsum (7541m), the highest unclimbed peak in the world.
Overnight in Camp.
Day 8: Bumthang Owl Trek: Kitphu tO Tharpaling
Altitude: 3600m (4km and 2 hours of trekking or 10km and 6 hours)
On day three of trek, you descend towards the monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak and Tharpaling. Chuedak monastery has 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads) where you may pray for yourself and cleanse yourself in the holy water. Our vehicle can pick you up here or you have an option to trek an additional 3 or 4 hours along the ridge of Kikila through scenic hills and forests.
Over in Hotel/guest house.
Day 9: Bumthang to Paro
Altitude: 2280m, Flight Time: 40 mins.
After breakfast, drive to Badbalathang Airport and fly to Paro. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. From here, take a short walk across a traditional cantilever bridge to one of the many archery grounds to be found in Bhutan. If you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of archery match in action. Archery is the national sport.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 10: Paro - Tiger's Nest
Altitude: 2280. Drive Time: 30mins (12kms each way)
Hiking Time: 4 to 6 hours - 4 miles/6.5 km
After an early breakfast we will visit Kichu Lhakang one of the oldest and most beautiful temples of Bhutan. We then drive north of Paro a short distance to begin our hike to the Tigers Nest, probably Bhutan's most famous landmark. The hike up to the monastery goes through a beautiful pine forest and you can catch several glimpses of the Tigers Nest (almost 900m above you). It's a good hike but well worth the effort and we will stop for lunch half way.
The trail takes you directly to this incredible monastery which clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The Tiger's Nest was built in 1692 and still functions today despite the daily visits by numerous tourists. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Paro - Departure
After an early breakfast, drive to the Airport and Farewell.
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