Best of Bhutan

After breakfast, proceed for Thimphu City Tour. When in Thimphu you got to prepare for surprises where this unique capital has no traffic lights but adopted its own version of the British – Indian colonial times traffic policemen who can startle you and memorize others with his elaborate hand gestures, sometimes he may be signaling stop when it looks like go but don’t worry you can observe the flow and notice his smile as you stare at him. Sightseeing includes visit to the National Memorial Chorten a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan and Buddha statue, Takin Zoo where you will find national animal of Bhutan and drive downhill stop at the junction to take a glimpse of Trashichho Dzong. Proceed towards National Library and Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon take a short walk to Handicraft Bazaar to view the traditional arts and Centenary Park later take a leisure walk to the main city from Clock tower square for shopping. Overnight at Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula pass 10,000 ft. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in your permit. Next to the check point you will find small local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale you could try some on own. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. You will find the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags greet you. You could take three rounds and offer prayers, take some best photo shots. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, Gangar Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world. Stop at Lamperi and visit the Royal Botanical Park. Proceed down towards Punakha through Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn left and drive down further. Stop and take a short walk through the villages to Chimmi Lhakhang. Afternoon visit majestic Punakha Dzong placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Punakha.

After breakfast visit beautiful Gangtey valley via Wangdiphodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge 4,430 ft that overlooks the highway that fork to the east and south of the country. This is an old town with Narrow Street with single storied shops and also the gateway to central and eastern Bhutan. The legend Mahakala, the protective deity of Bhutan appeared to tell Shabdrung of prediction, saying “at top of rocky spur where two rivers meet, at the place where a flock of raven will fly off in four directions, you will build the Dzong”. The Shabdrung built the dzong in 1638 and Punakha/Wangdi valleys are also the winter home for many of the high altitude farmers who migrate with their cattle to the warm climate. The Gangtey valley is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan and is the winter home to the endangered black necked cranes (Grus Nigricllis) which migrate to this valley around mid-November from Tibet. These cranes have for centuries captured the human imagination with their intelligence, poise, sociality, beauty and freedom which have given rise to several myths, legends, folktales and songs. The birds fly back across the Himalayas to their summer home towards Tibet and China. The Gangtey village is small dominated by the yellow roofed Gangtey monastery. Later return to Punakha. Overnight at Punakha.

After breakfast, drive to Paro via Semtokha entering the Babesa express highway. Upon reaching Chuzom check post, stop for a while at the bridge, stretch your legs and walk through the bridge. Proceed towards Paro and check in the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Paro.

After breakfast, visit Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called as the Ta Dzong considered to be one of the best natural history museums in Asia where it has a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts. Kyichu Lhakhang the monastery dates back to 7th century and is one of the oldest and most sacred. Afternoon visit ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and drive till the base of Tigers Nest. Evening visit the town for leisure or shopping. Overnight at Paro.