After an early breakfast, head off to a scenic drive up to Buddha Point to see the 169 foot tall bronze statue of the seated Buddha Dordenma. One of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world, it sits atop a hill where you will get the sweeping views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. Spend the rest of the morning visiting the National Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to preserving Bhutanese folk arts, the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, where you will see the ancient practice of natural papermaking, the National Textile Museum, where you will learn all about the brightly colored and beautifully designed fabrics that are worn by the Bhutanese people and The Motithang Takin Preserve, to spot Bhutan’s national animal. In the evening, visit the Tashichho Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery with a distinctive Bhutanese architectural design. Sitting aside the Wang Chhu river, it is the current seat of the Druk Desi, the head of the civil government and houses the offices of the current king.

After breakfast we drive to the former capital of Bhutan until 1955, Punakha. Enroute we stop at Dochula Pass, which provides a panoramic 360 degree view of the Himalayas. After Lunch we drive to Punakha Dzong, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful and charming Dzong in Bhutan, standing tall right at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chhu (Father River) and Mo Chhu (Mother River). You will be completely mesmerized with this Dzong, especially in spring when it is enveloped by lilac coloured Jacaranda flowers spread against the white washed towering walls. The Dzong from the inside is equally beautiful with a large courtyard lined with administrative buildings on 3 sides and a huge temple at the front. Wooden carving of roof and windows against huge whitewashed walls adds to the charm of this beautiful edifice. Towards the end is the ‘hundred pillar’ assembly hall temple with massive gold statues of Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Divine Madman. You would love to sit in the temple and inhale the calmness deep within you.

Early morning explore Lobesa village and set off to an easy hike to the Chimi Lhakhang temple. Chimi Lhakhang is also known as the ‘Temple of Fertility’. The temple is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley, fondly known as ‘Divine Madman’ because of his non-conventional and ‘outrageous’ style of teaching. He was a social critic and openly challenged the hypocrisy of the established orders. Thus, the use of his Phallus (Penis) as a ‘flaming thunderbolt’ weapon symbolizes the discomfort that society experiences while facing the truth. Devotees take blessings from the wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt, preserved in the lhakhang. Couples also come to the temple before the birth of baby to select their names while newborns are brought by parents for blessings from Lama. To get to the temple, you need to pass through Lobesa village. Lobesa village offers a glimpse of the rural Bhutan as you come across the farms and houses with unique Bhutanese architecture (huge white walls with wood carving on doors, windows and roof). And yes, Phallus (Penis) is very comfortably painted on almost every second house as you walk along. Drive to most awaited Phobjikha valley by noon. Overnight stay at Phobjikha.

After an early breakfast we drive to Phobjikha valley. Gangtey or Phobjikha at an average altitude of 3,000 m is a wide and beautiful valley, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (formerly known as Black Mountains National Park). It is a natural habitat for wildlife, including nesting grounds for endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Central Asia in the winter (late October and stay till March). Phobjikha valley is famous for the Gangtey Gompa and the spotting of the elusive black necked crane. A wide glacial valley with a central stream meandering through the open grasslands, Phobjikha is the perfect place to feel lost in the beauty of the himalayas. We spend the day exploring the beautiful valley and visiting the crane centre to know more about these magnificent birds.

After breakfast, drive to Paro. Spend the evening visiting the Paro market. Overnight halt at Paro.

On our final tour day, we take an exhilarating one-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest), one of the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top. Trek to Tigers Nest will be an optional activity. The evening can be spent visiting the Rinpung Dzong in Paro and the national museum of Bhutan. Our last night in Bhutan is spent in Paro.

Yes, with a heavy heart we need to say goodbye to the “land of Happiness” today. You will be dropped at Paro airport/ Phuentsholing to take your respective transportation back to your hometown. We bid you goodbye and hope you take back some fond memories at the end of the trip.