Day 1 (Paro 2280m – Thimphu2300m)
Arrive at Paro and drive to Thimphu, the capital city. Check in and visit the ‘glorious fortress of great religion’ built around 17th century. Walk around colorful weekend’s market, the giant statue of Lord Buddha Doderma at Kuensel Phodrang, Changangkha Lhakang and the Zantopelri Lhakang. Traditional hand-made paper factory.
Overnight at Peaceful Resort, Khang Residency or similar.
Day 2 (Thimphu 2300m)
Begin your day by visiting Wangdetse Goenba, one of the most remotely built Bhuddhist headquarters overlooking Tashichoe Dzong and Thimphu valley. One can always return back the same way or descend downhill via different route down to Blue-Stone Dzong. The weaving center at Chanzamtok offers you a glimpse of most sophisticated Bhutanese textile with a great sense of touch and patterns & designs. The National memorial stupa is one of the pious landmark for the residence of Thimphu, built for the late third king and for World Peace, Simtokha Dzong and Zangtopelri Lhakang.
Overnight at Peaceful, Khang Residency or similar.
Day 3 (Thimphu2300m – Punakha 1250m, 3hrs)
Drive 3-4hrs to the former capital of Bhutan, Enroute stop over Dochula and hike upto about 4000m to Lungchutse, one of the distant 15century temple offering one of glamorous view of the Great Himalayas right infront of your eyes. Drive further down to Punakha and visit the massive ‘Palace of Great Happiness’ at the confluence of Mo chhu and Pho chhu. Kuruthang Goenba is one of the unique monasteries in Punakha which is privately owned by a local.
Overnight at Meri Puensum, Damchen or similar.
Day 4 (1250mPunakha – Wangdue1300m/Phobjikha 2900m, 2-3hrs)
Begin your day by an easy walk to the temple of fertility and drive 2-3hrs to the valley. Every year a minimum of three hundred ‘Black Necked Cranes’ visit this wetlands all the way from Tibet during winter. The most distant western district of Bhutan still at its stage of natural beauty, where the impact of modernization is still at slow pace. Visit the 500 year old Gantey Goemba and meet up with the local carpenters who renovates the monastery after it is been hit by the 2011 earthquake. Lunch at Dochula
Overnight at dewachen, Gakiling or similar.
Day 5 (Phobjikha 2900m – Paro2280m, 3-4hrs)
Make yourself feel more remote by walking the ‘Nature trail’ around the roosting wetland of the endangered black necked cranes. Retrace your way back to Paro. The 8th century old kyichu is one of the most venerated lhakangs in the country.
Overnight at Tenziling, Tashi Namgay or similar.
Day 6 (Paro 2280m)
Hike to the legendary Taktshang and beyond Zantopelri, Ugyen Tsemo. The ruins of victorious Drugyal dzong stand still even to this hour of time honoring the ‘Drukpas’ who have lost lives on the verge of saving the country from Tibetan Mongol invasions as early as 17th century.
Overnight at Tashi Namgay, khangku or similar
Day 7: Depart.
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