Jewels of Bhutan Tour
9 Nights / 10 Days

Kolkata - Thimpu - Trongsa - Bumthang - Gangtey - Punakha - Paro

Day 1 : ARRIVE KOLKATA
Arrive Kolkata - meet & transfer to hotel.
Overnight : Hotel in Kolkata

Day 2 : KOLKATA - PARO (BHUTAN) - THIMPU
Early morning transfer to International airport for flight to Paro.
Depart by Druk Air
Arrive Paro - meet & transfer to Thimpu (60 Kms / 2 hrs) the modern capital town of Bhutan.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu

Day 3 : THIMPU
After breakfast full sightseeing in Thimphu valley - which includes visit to National Library, Painting School, Traditional Medicine Institute, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, Memorial Chorten, Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices and Handicrafts Emporium
Overnight : Hotel in Thimphu

Day 4 : THIMPU - TRONGSA ( 200 Km, 6 Hrs. )
After early breakfast drive to Dochula pass (3,050m). If the weather permits, you can see a range of high Himalayan peaks towards the north east. Further drive onwards Wangduephodrang town for lunch. The descent from Dochula into Wangduephodrang valley is quite long as the altitude difference is 1700 meters.
Proceed to Tongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m ), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.
Arrive Trongsa and check into the lodge.
Overnight : Lodge in Trongsa

Day 5 : TRONGSA - BUMTHANG ( 68 Km, 3 Hours )
After breakfast walk by Trongsa Dzong built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of ling.
Thereafter drive to Bumthang
Arrive & check in to the lodge.
After lunch visit to Kurje Lhakhang where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic school), the Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the region) and Swiss Farm House.
Overnight : Lodge in Bumthang

Day 6 : BUMTHANG - GANGTEY - PHOBJIKHA (190 km, 7 hours drive)
After breakfast drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha. In the mountains east of Wangduephodrang lies the beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slopes of which is ituated the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century. The village of Phobjikha lies a few km, down from the monastery, on the valley floor. This quite, remote valley is the winter home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north, to pass the winter months in a milder climate. Explore Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley.
Overnight :  Hotel in Gangtey

Day 7 : GANGTEY - PHOBJIKHA - PUNAKHA
After breakfast drive to Punakha (70 km, 3 hours drive).
Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue. Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.
Overnight : Hotel in Punakha

Day 8 : PUNAKHA - PARO ( 125 Km, 4.1/2 Hours )
After breakfast, drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) and now houses the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Overnight : Hotel in Paro

Day 9 : PARO
After breakfast, drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in war of 1644.
Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery view point. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. 
While returning to hotel visit en route, Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight : Hotel in Paro

Day 10 : PARO - KOLKATA DEPARTURE
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination