Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Paro [Arrival]
Afternoon: Paro sightseeing, Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 km away from Paro Town) Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It washere that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. The peak of Mount Chomolhari "Abode of the Goddess Chomo" can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7329m). Visit the National Museum (closed on Mondays). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Overnight: Hotel

Day 2 Paro ~ Thimphu
Morning: hike to Tiger's Nest Monaster in Paro (4 hours round trip) After lunch drive to Thimphu (65 km - about 2 hours drive) Overnight: Hotel

Day 3 Thimphu Sightseeing
Visit the Weekend Market (if your stay falls on Saturday or Sunday). Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952~1972.
Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thankas (sacred Buddhist scrolls). Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country. It was built in 1629 Ad. Pangrizampa Monastery in Dechenchholing. Evening: Reception and dinner at Soenam Ongmo's place.

Day 4 Thimphu ~ Punakha ~ Wangduephodrang
After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdi. On the way halt at Dochula pass (10,000 ft.) for tea~coffee and witness a most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges.
Afternoon: Visit the Punakha Dzong. This old fortress houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers known as Pochu and Mochu which means "Male River and Female River." It was built in 1637 AD. Visit Chimi Lhakhang Monaster. This is a fertility monastery where hundreds of barren women from all over Bhutan and neighbouring countries visit. The monastery was built in the 14th century by a Saint affectionately known as "The Divine Madman". Overnight: Hotel

Day 5 Wangduephodrang ~ Trongsa
Overnight: Hotel

Day 6 Trongsa [Sightseeing] ~ Bumthang
Morning: Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east~west traffic.

Visit the Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days.

Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang (68 km). The journey takes about 3 hrs and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at BTCL Lodge.

Bumthang sight seeing: Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference.

Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs.Overnight: Hotel

Day 7 Bumthang ~ Wangduephodrang.
Day 8 Wangduephodrang ~ Paro
Day 9 Paro [Excursion to Taksang Monastery]
Day 10 Paro [Departure]