After breakfast, the guest’s visit the Buddha Dordenma, a statue filled with over 100,000, smaller Buddha statues, each like the Buddha Dordenma itself, made of bronze and gilded in gold. At a height of approximately 51.5m (169 ft), it is one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world.
From here, we propose a short hike on a trail that will take the guest’s through a beautiful forest patch towards Changangkha Lhakhang. The hike provides magnificent views of the Thimphu valley below.
In the afternoon, the guest’s will drive to visit the Royal Takin Preserve. Bhutan’s national animal is the Takin. This large and hoofed mammal has an element of mythology tied to it. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley or ‘the Divine Madman’. This particular species of Takin is found only in Bhutan and western Arunachal Pradesh.
Following this, we may visit the Weekend market. Embark on a multi-sensory experience as you stroll past the vibrant stalls of the Thimphu Weekend Farmers Market, held every Friday through Sunday. Drawing in most of Thimphu’s vivacious residents, the marketplace teems with both local and imported goods over a range of industry and commerce. The experience is more than the items to be bought, but rather about taking the chance to socialize with colorfully dressed locals, all full of Bhutanese fare and flare.

Optional experiences:

• Traditional Attire (Gho & Kira): One of the most distinctive aspects of the Bhutanese is their traditional dress. Men wear the “Gho”, a knee-length robe that is tied at the waist by a traditional belt known as a “Kera”. Women wear the “Kira”, a long, ankle length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket known as a “Tego”, with an inner layer known as a “Wonju”.
• Yoga session with cooking class at Chuniding: A curated package focusing on physical asana practice, pranayama and yogic diet with Manipa Yoga and Chuniding Food. Duration: 5 hours approximately.
• Buddhism Talk with Mynak Trulku
  His Eminence Mynak Trulku on Bhutan and Buddhism. Mynak Trulku is the 12th reincarnate lama of Mynak Rimpoche from the Mynak lineage of Mynak province which is now geographically known as eastern part of Tibet. Mynak Trulku lived in Bhutan for over 40 years and worked in various positions as founder and director for National Museum in Paro and National Library in Thimphu. He has also represented Bhutan for various international and regional conferences relating to cultural and spiritual affairs of the Kingdom.
• A talk by Dr. Karma Phuntsho
  Dr. Karma Phuntsho is a Bhutanese scholar who specializes in Buddhism, Tibetan & Himalayan Studies and Bhutan, and has published a number of works including eight books, translations, book reviews and articles on Buddhism, Bhutan and Tibetan Studies. His The History of Bhutan has been called “the first book to offer a comprehensive history of Bhutan in English” and received Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award in 2015.
• A talk with Chief Election Commissioner
  Kunzang Wangdi was chief election commissioner of Bhutan. In that capacity he set up and ran Bhutan’s first democratic elections. Prior to his appointment as commissioner in 2005, Wangdi served as auditor general of Bhutan’s Royal Audit Authority. He was also director of the Royal Institute of Management. Wangdi began working for Bhutan’s civil service in 1977. He received a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Stephens College in India and completed a master’s degree in public administration at Penn State.
• Visit to Mountain Crafts Exhibition
  Mountain Crafts is a platform for showcasing and marketing exotic Bhutanese products handcrafted by rural communities in Bhutan. Mountain Crafts seeks to provide rural communities in Bhutan access to regional and international markets and clients around the world. Its overall mission is to promote cultural preservation, stimulate passion for nature-based products and support sustainable business that benefits first producer communities by preserving Bhutanese indigenous art and crafts while at the same time, providing global access to eco-friendly and exotic natural products from the highlands of the Himalayas. Items include exquisite textile products handcrafted by Bhutanese artisans.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel & drive to Gangtey also known as Phobjikha valley. An estimated 3-hour drive.
Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Gangtey is a beautiful valley of rolling hills and green meadows surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is situated at an altitude of 3000 m. It is also the winter home for the famous Black Necked Cranes who migrate here during the winter months.
This afternoon, we will visit the impressive Gangtey Goemba overlooking the lush green valley of Phobjikha. Later visit the Black Necked Crane center and do some hiking in the National park. Also explore the valley of Phobjikha by walking along some of the most interesting nature trails and see the most fascinating cultural and natural sites.

Early morning, drive to Bumthang enroute visiting Trongsa Dzong. It is one of the most impressive works of Bhutanese architecture.
After the visit, continue our drive to Bumthang. An estimated 6-6.5 hour drive.
Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Bumthang is a land of myth and mystery and tales of the great Guru Padmasambhava. A beautiful view of the Jakar Dzong meaning “castle of the white bird” can be seen from the view point. In bumthang visit the Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang.
After lunch, visit the Jakar dzong and hike up to Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in the 1800s by the first king Ugyen Wangchuk for his two nun sisters. Outside Lamey Goemba, one can see a workshop for traditional Bhutanese paper-making.
Evening, we will visit the Swiss cheese factory, the apple juice factory and walk through town or enjoy the evening at leisure.

Early morning drive to Toktu Zampa (17 km north of Kurjey Lhakhang).
Begin a scenic walk (20 minutes) through fields of buckwheat to Thankabi Goemba, a serene monastery. Continue your hike to Ngan-Yul (Swan Land) and then ascend to Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple).
Later walk back to Toktu Zampa.
The lunch can be arranged in a local restaurant as per guests discretion. Post lunch, we will drive or walk 5 km east of Jakar to visit Tamshing Goenpa, known for its rich religious significance and ancient murals. And later proceed to Konchogsum Lhakhang, located near Tamshing. This temple houses statues of the three Buddhas (past, present, and future), which are believed to have flown from Kurtoe.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Bumthang town, soaking in the local ambiance and exploring shops or cafes.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel & drive to Punakha an estimated 5- 5.5 hour drive, en route visit Dochula Pass (3150m) where on a clear day we can see views of the Himalayas. From this pass, if the weather is clear, you will get the most spectacular view of the Entire Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges. You will also find 108 beautiful Stupas known as the “Druk Wangyel Chortens’ in the middle of the pass which reflects Bhutan’s spiritual as well as artistic traditions.
Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the magnificent dzong is situated on an island in the middle of the river. It is also the winter residence of the Central monastic body. It is a climatically a warmer valley than Paro and Thimphu.

After breakfast visit of proceed to visit Punakha Dzong (open between 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic
fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. The Dzong is open for visitors during Punakha festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu.
Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lakhang (open between 09:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm), situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if
they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. After motorable road one has to walk through paddy fields and villages.

After breakfast visit the Punakha Dzong which is strategically built between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means “Male river and Female river”. Then visit the beautiful Khamsum Yule Namgyel temple (30 mins round trip from the road).
Afternoon check-out from the hotel & drive back to Paro, an estimated 3-3.5 hour drive. Upon arrival check in at the Hotel.
Later if time permits City Tour (otherwise we will visit next day)
Ta Dzong (Sun, Mon Govt holiday closed): once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors. Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.

Early this morning, we take a short drive to Ramthankha, and here guest’s have the option of a short hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). Built on a sheer cliff face at a height of 2950 m (9678 ft.), this is a few hours trek and offers spectacular views. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
Note: The guests needs to walk to see the Tiger Nest.

OR

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Chele la (mountain pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters, considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive along a thickly-forested road, is this botanical paradise located. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Here, visitors can see cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor. The top of the pass bloom with rhododendrons in a variety of colours-pale pink, deep pink, burnt orange, mauve, white and scarlet. Later in the day drive back to town. Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.

Optional experiences: Hoisting of Prayer Flag
For centuries, Prayer flags are hoisted for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck and merit and to offer karmic merit to all sentient beings.

After breakfast the guest’s will be escorted to the Paro airport to board flight for onward journey.