Arrive at Paro International Airport from Calcutta or Delhi. Paro is
situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction
to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a
short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to
Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, is at 2320 metres. Take a late afternoon walk
around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its
busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. You
could visit Tashichho Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original
National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne
room and offices of the King. 
Overnight in Thimphu

Thimphu sightseeing. Start your day by visiting Thangthong Dewachen
Nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Nunnery, located in Zilukha just
above Tashichho Dzong. You will have the opportunity to witness what a
Bhutanese nunnery looks like their daily life at the Nunnery. You can
sit with the Nuns and join them during their prayers. [If you wish, you
could offer tea and snacks to the nuns – with some donations]. Then you
can visit the School of Traditional Arts to watch students at work and to
get an introduction to the 13 traditional arts, including painting,
embroidery, woodcarving, mask-making and statue-making. You can also
visit the Takin Reserve which showcases the unique national animal, the Takin.
You may browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National
Textile Museum or the weekly market. In the afternoon, you can visit
the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous
view of Thimphu Valley. The huge 3-storey throne holds several chapels
and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. You
may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the
history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcases Bhutan’s rich
assortment of interesting stamps. If you would like to view or buy
Bhutanese handicrafts you may like to visit the new market opposite the Taj
Tashi Hotel has an array of stalls run by local handicraft shops
selling purely homemade articles with no imports.
Overnight in Thimphu

Thimphu to Punakha. In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the
old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will
stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the
Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and
vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. Take a
pleasant walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha
village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by
the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Here, you can visit a
Farmhouse for lunch or tea, to taste the red rice and local cuisine and to
experience the traditional Bhutanese way of life. Then we will visit the
imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built-in 1637, it
is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the
Mo Chu.
Overnight in Punakha

Drive approximately 3 hours to Gangtey at 2900 metres. Enjoy the
views of the immense and remote Phobjikha Valley and the black
mountain ranges. Visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest
monasteries and recently extensively renovated) and explore the valley
where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle.
This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in
November each year after spending the summer in Tibet. Late afternoon
drive back to Punakha and relax in the hotel.
Overnight in Punakha

Today we return to Paro, a drive of approximately 4 hours. In the
afternoon visit the National Museum located in the Ta Dzong (watch
tower) which was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend
Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual
circular construction resembling a conch shell. The Ta Dzong houses a
magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious
paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps.
From here it is a short drive to see the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong,
one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Late afternoon,
stroll around Paro town.
Overnight in Paro

Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery
which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru
Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress.  He
subsequently meditated here for three months.  It is one of Bhutan’s
most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from
neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang
cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
Overnight in Paro

Early in the morning, your guide will accompany you to the airport to see
you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good
luck).