Day 1   Singapore to Paro, transfers to Thimphu. punakha

After experiencing a memorable flight along skies offering you views of the Himalayan Treasures such as Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Bhutan’s Jomolhari amd Jitchu Drake, your flight will gradually descend, yet again enchanting you with Paro Valley’s beauty from above. The landing is thrilling and supposed to be one of the most challenging.

At the airport, you will be received by representatives of our company who will escort you to a hotel. We drive to Thimphu.

Upon arrival we will have a brief relaxation period and then check-in.

After  lunch, Thimphu has lots to offer and the pick for you will firstly be the Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful stupas, built in memory of the Third King, Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A short drive from there will take you to Buddha Point, where the statue of the World’s largest Future Buddha (Maitreya) will be seen.

From there we will move to the Handicraft’s Emporium, Weaving Centre and Changangkha monastery, one built in the 12th century. There will also be visits to the Takin zoo, Sangaygang, which offers a view point of Thimphu valley and a Nunnery.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after which we visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the Wood Craft and Painting school.

In the evening, we will visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks.

We will also visit Centenary Farmer Market.

Day 2 

Drive along the Thimphu River for around 45min to Tango(meaning horse head) monastery.  Be prepared for a steep climb from the open car park and 20-minute hike through the blue pine and oak forest to reach the monastery which was founded in the 12th Century by Lama Gyalwa Lhananpa.  Phajo Drugom Shigpo also meditated and saw the vision of God Tandin (God with Horse Head).

Visit Zorichusum (13 arts and crafts) which is popularly called the painting school.  Students in this school learn traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving and embroidery.

Visit theNational Library which consists of 2 buildings.  On the ground floor of the old building is the largest book in the world and religious books on the upper floor.  English books are kept on the ground floor in the new building.

Day 3 Thimphu to Punakha,

Drive to Punakha, old capital of Bhutan (about 3-hour drive).

Stopover at the enchanting Dochula pass(3,040m above sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas mountain ranges. Visit the Druk Wangyel Temple located near by the pass. Arrive at Punakha Valley (1300m above sea level), a fertile valley were farmers grow two crops in a year.

Visit Punakha Dzong, one which played an important role in the olden days. It was Bhutan’s second monastic school after Cheri Monastery.  The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It is the winter residence of the Central Monk Body and the Chief Abbot.

Hike to Rinchengang, a cluster village. According to legend the people here came from Cooch Bihar (India) in the 17th century. It is said that in the past their houses were interconnected, allowing one to go from one house to another. Even today we can see some few houses still connected one another. It is interesting to walk along this village; where people are busy doing their daily cores of work.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha.

 Day 4  Punakha Halt

After break feast, we take a short drive to the nearby suspension bridge and start hiking to Khemsum Yuelley Namgay Chorten
This unique Chorten is Bhutan’s example of fine and intricate architecture and artistic tradition. It was built to promote peace, stability and harmony, and for the long-life of our Monarchs. Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk was the patron, who this Chorten in 1999 which took 7½ years to complete.

The ground floor contains the images of Phurpa Lhatsho (the Deity of Magic Dagger). The middle floor is dedicated to Throwo Khamsum Namgyel (deity of magic dragger), while the top floor houses images of Throwa Namper Gyalwa. The dome contains the old image of Buddha from Punakha Dzong.

In the afternoon drive farther North of Punakha valley following the Mo-chu river valley. You will sport many beautiful waterfall, thick cold broad leaves forest. Drive up to Damji Village where you can see nice view of GasaDzong.

Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 5 Punakha to Haa

The drive to Haa valley takes around 4 hour. On the way, we see many beautiful scenes and pass many small villages along the road.  aa valley is the only valley in Bhutan where rice is not grown. The valley is divided into two parts; South and North. People in South do farming and people in North raise Yaks for their leaving.

Visit Lhakhang Karpo( White temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo(Black temple). Both the temples were built in the 7th centuries by the King of Tibet, Songtshen Gembo.  Legends says the king had send two birds, white and black, they flew over high Himalaya’s and landed where the temple stand today.

Overnight at hotel in Haa.

Day 6 Haa to Paro

We drive for one and half hour drive to Chelila pass (3989m), Bhutan’s highest road point. This is one of most exotic places in Bhutan; one can really feel the thin air and experience walking in the Alpine zone. We see alpine flowers and also Bhutan’s National Flower Blue Puppy in May and June.  From this pass, if weather permits, one can see Mt Jomolhari (7015 m), Mt Tshering Gang (6980m), Mt Jitchu Drake (6880m), Mt Drakigang (Alt. 6060m) and excellent views of the surrounding valleys, part of Sikkim (India).

From the pass walk along the ridge for one hour to the top of the ridge. Have picnic lunch on the top and walk back to the car.

Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 7 Paro

Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang), one of the holiest monasteries in the Buddhist World.  The hike to the monastery will take one whole day.  This is the most popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists.  Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche (2nd Buddha) came here flying on a  tigress in the 8th century, and meditated in one of the caves for 4 months. He had also given his secret teachings to Khando Yeshi Chogyel and Longchen Pelyi Sangay (his favorite disciple) in the cave. After Guru Rimpoche’s visit, many famous Lamas (Buddhist teachers) from Tibet and India visited this monastery.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 8 Paro to Singapore

After breakfast at hotel, drive to airport for departure.