13 Days. Actual Meditation for 3 Days

Seasons: March to May & September to November

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport. Afternoon visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) which was built in 1656 to safe guard the Rimpung Dzong and Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. It was converted into National Museum in 1968. It is located on top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and river. On the way back from the Museum, take a leisurely stroll in the Paro town. Over night at hotel in Paro.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Paro Valley / Excursion to Taktsang Monastery.   After an early breakfast drive to Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang meaning "Tiger’s Nest" located on top of rock at 900 mtrs from ground floor overlooking the Paro valley. It’s a farmhouse pilgrim of Bhutan. Lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria. Afternoon visit the Drukgyel Dzong (Bhutan’s Victory Fortress. Kyichu Lhakhang the oldest temple in the country founded by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 649AD and Paro Rimpung Dzong (fort on the heap of jewels).

Day 3 Paro – Thimphu (2 hrs).  Drive to Thimphu on route visiting the Tagchogang Lhakhang (temple of the hill of the excellent horse) built in 14^th century by Tibetan saint Drupthog Thangthong Gyalpo (also known as iron bridge builder). Lunch at hotel. On arrival in Thimphu visit Zangthopelri Lhakhang and walk around the weekend market and explore the magical city of Thimphu.  Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4 Thimphu Sightseeing. Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honour the memory of late king and Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin preservation and Sangaygang for spectacular views of magical capital city. The National Library and the Traditional Institute for the 13 arts & crafts and Institute of Traditional Medicines.  Lunch at the hotel. Spend rest of the day at your leisure in the city. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5 Thimphu – Trongsa (6 hrs).  After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa. The journey to central Bhutan begins today. The drive to Trongsa takes about 7 - 8 hours from Thimphu. Halt at Dochula Pass (3080mtrs) to have majestically views of eastern Himalayan ranges and enjoy the driving with so much to see and to photograph endless varieties of landscapes of different shads and clinging homesteads. Lunch at Chendebje. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.

Day 6 Trongsa – Bumthang (2 ½ hrs).   Morning visit the Trongsa Dzong built in 1644 by Chogyel Minjur Tempa. It was ancestral home of royal family. Take a walk up hill to Ta Dzong, the watchtower. At present, the Ta Dzong is under renovation. Soon after lunch proceed to Bumthang which takes little over three hours. Drives uphill to Yotongla pass at 3320 mtr and then downhill to Getsa. In Chumey valley, you will come across display of woolen hand woven colorful clothes. The next valley after Kilela pass is Jakar, the Switzerland of Bhutan where tales of the great teacher Guru Rimpoche dominates. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Lhakhang. Overnight stay at Lodge in Bumthang.

Day 7 Bumthang – Thowadrak (2 hrs).  Dorje Lingpa built the monastery, which clings to the highest rock above north of Tang valley at an elevation 3400 meters. Guru Rimpoche and Mandarava believed to be meditated here. The region is also sealed as ‘Baeyul’ by Guru’s consort Yeshe Tsogyel. Walk for about 4 hours from the road head. Camp near the monastery.  Overnight at the camp.

Day 8 – 10 Meditation at Thowadrak.

Day 11 Bumthang – Punakha (6 hrs). After breakfast, proceed to Punakha. Before arriving in Punakha visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong and town, on route Chhimi Lhakhang “temple of fertility” built in 1449 by Ngawang Chogel.  Overnight stay at hotel in Punakha.

Day12 Punakha – Paro (4 ½ hrs).  After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, the old capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, which means “Male and Female River ". Take a drive along the upstream river valley. You will see the white bellied heron along the river valleys. It is globally an endanger bird species. Drive to Paro via Thimphu. Lunch at Dochula Cafeteria and overnight stay at hotel in Paro.