Central Bhutan Cultural Tour

Arrive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) where the representative will receive you and drive to the hotel.

Morning visit the Memorial Chorten, the Zangthopelri Lhakhang and the School of Thangka Painting. Afternoon visit the Handicraft Emporium and some local shops.

Drive to Trongsa across the Dochula Pass and Pelela Pass. Stop at Chendebji Chorten for picnic lunch. Overnight at Trongsa.

Visit the Ta Dzong (watchtower) and Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan. Drive across Yutola Pass and on to Bumthang. Enroute visit the Chume Valley, where local women weave the famous "Bumthang Yathra", pure woolen cloth woven in the traditional method with beautiful colored patterns.

Day excursion to Ura Valley with a picnic lunch. Evening at leisure.

In the morning, visit the Wangdichholing Palace, Swiss Farm House, the Tamshing Lhakhang and Kuenshusum Lhakhang. Drive back to Trongsa. Overnight in Trongsa.

Drive to Gangtey (95 kms - 4 hours drive). Gangtey is situated in Phubjikha Valley, which the winter home of endangered Black-Necked Cranes that migrate to this Valley from Central Asia in winter. Picnic lunch at Gangtey. Drive to Wangdue.

Morning visit Wangdue town. Drive to Punakha Dzong and visit the Dzong if the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Monk Body have shifted to Thimphu for the summer as this Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Central Monk Body. Drive to Thimphu. After lunch at Thimphu, proceed to Paro.

Sightseeing around the Paro Valley includes visit to Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum, the ruins of Drugyel Dzong and the courtyard of Kichu Lhakhang one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan - dated 7th century AD. Afternoon visit Paro Town and relax.

Drive to Ramthongkha and then hike to viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest (one and a half hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery unfortunately got burnt in 1998 but it has recently been reconstructed. OR Drive to Chelila Pass where you can see beautiful mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in bloom. On the way back walk to Chila Nunnery.

Early breakfast at the hotel and drive to the Paro Airport for departure.