Day 01: Bangkok - Paro
Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.
On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide from Phuson Travel for the trip will receive you in a traditional Bhutanese way.

We will take a drive along the curvy Bhutanese road to Punakha passing by the outskirt of Thimphu town and up across Dochu La (3050m) from where one can have a spectacular view of the Himalayas to the north when the sky is clear. The pass is marked by 108 chortens (Stupa) which are Buddhist reliquaries, memorials to the teachings of the Buddha. Sometimes actual relics of the Buddha or revered monks are inserted into the dome of the stupa, but whether or not there are relics inside, the stupas mark the landscape with reminders of the Buddha’s teachings. It’s then just about a little more than hour’s drive down to sub-tropical Punakha Valley.

In Punakha, we will visit the Dzong that was built by Shabdrung, in 1637, on a strategic place at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. The Dzong has played a hallowed role in the history of Bhutan. It served as the seat of Shabdrung’s government, several foreign delegations were received here in 18th and 19th century, the election and coronation of the first King was observed in 1907 and the Third King convened the first National Assembly in the Dzong. The central monastic body continues to reside here in winter. The embalmed bodies of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Pema Lingpa are housed on the top floor of the main tower. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King from the latest fire in 1987.
Approximate driving time: 03 hours. Altitude at Punakha: 1300m
Overnight- Damchen Resort in Punakha

Day 02: A day in Punakha
This morning, we will have some fun with the gentle rapids (2, 3+) of Mo Chu River. If you want a bit harder, Pho Chu River challenges with its grade 4 rapids. Water sports in Bhutan is at its infancy stage, we combine rafting as a part of the tour package so that our clients can feel the taste of adventure.

We will have a picnic lunch by the river side after we’re done with the rafting.
Later, we will take a drive up to Talo - the native home town of the queens for our short downhill hike following the beautiful track that links the village of Talo and Nobgang where we will see the villages and farmhouses to have intimate insight into the rural Bhutanese way of living.
Altitude at Punakha: 1300m
Overnight- Damchen Resort in Punakha

Day 03: Punakha – Thimphu
It’s a return journey from here as we retrace the route back to Thimphu which is perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world. It is the seat of government, home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan.
Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. 
Later, we drive to Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest protected area in the country. This park is home to several endangered and elusive species including the takin (the national animal), snow
leopard, blue sheep, tiger, red panda and the Himalayan black bear. More than 300 species of birds have been catalogued in the park. We walk across a covered bridge and continue uphill to Cheri  Goemba, a small monastery perched on a hill (at 2600m) with views of the valley below. The monastery, built in 1620, is very sacred.
Approximate driving time: 02 hours. Altitude at Thimphu: 2400m
Overnight- Jomolhari Hotel in Thimphu

Day 04: Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends.  It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum.  Mt. Jhomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River).   The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.
Today, we hike up to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro valley. Legend has it that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
After visiting what is known as one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the country, we will go off the beaten track further up to the temples that are on the hill tops above Tiger’s Nest. It’s so peaceful there and you can really communicate with nature as you enjoy the views from the top be it that of mountains or the valley. No wonder that some monks have chosen this place to meditate for their life!  To go down, we are following a different path that takes us through the pristine thick forest of oaks and rhododendrons festooned with Spanish mosses.

Approximate Walking time: 06 hours. Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight: Tenzinling Resort in Paro

Day 05: Chele La Ridge Hike
This morning, we will take a drive to Chele La (3750m), the highest motor able pass in the country and hike up along the meadow to Kung Karpo La (4100m). Weather permitting; we will enjoy the breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains while walking above the tree line along the ridge that divides Paro and Ha valley. The short steep descent from the top will take us to the nunnery of Kila Gompa.  Here the nuns, called anims, live a life of contemplation and seclusion, with daily prayer and spiritual practice.  The temple itself is surrounded by numerous meditation huts, and many hidden caves lie inside the rocky cliffs.  The gompa is surrounded by a lush forest dominated by tall firs.  Sparkling mountain streams wind down the slopes, which are covered with a variety of wildflowers and plants.
About 30 anims, or nuns, live here, ranging in age from about 20 to 80 years.  The community is one of the oldest of seven nunneries in Bhutan, and was initially established in the early 9th century as a meditation site.  After being destroyed by fire, the temple was rebuilt and officially established in 1986 as an anim dratshang (religious community of Buddhist nuns).
Kila Gompa is historically significant as a sacred meditation site.  Many renowned Buddhist saints have come here to find peace and seclusion.  The main temple houses ancient statues of Chenrezig (Avalokiteswara) and Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) among others.
Life here is simple.  The day begins and ends with prayers.  The anims arise at 3 AM and study Buddhist scripture until 8 AM when they go to the temple for prayers.  The first simple meal of the day (rice, vegetables and tea) is eaten at 10 AM, after which studies continue until 9 PM when a simple supper is served.  The nuns retire after a final session of prayer.  Most of the nuns have given up properties and left their families to live with the bare minimum of material things.  Their studies and subsistence are supported by the government.
Some of the older nuns have retired into meditation, while many of the younger ones pursue basic Buddhist studies and perform religious ceremonies.  The course takes 5-6 years, after which they begin meditation, which can range from four months to three years.  One young nun, when asked why she had chosen this life, replied “There is peace in thinking about others, apart from yourself.”  Another said “If I was given back my youth, I would still choose this life but I would start it earlier.  I have never been more at peace with myself.”
The walk down from here to the road is lined with small white chortens and it will take us about an hour.

Approximate walking time: 05 hours. Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight: Tenzinling Resort in Paro

Day 06: Paro - Bangkok
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Phuson Travel will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.

•    Personal expenditure, such as laundry, souvenirs, etc. 
•    Tips & Gratuities
•    International airticket round trip from Bangkok airport

Health & Fitness required:

There is easy to moderate suitable for all travelers, no requirement on this trip.

Meeting point:

You will be welcomed at Paro airport and transfer to hotel.

Finishing point:

Transfer to Paro airport.

What to take:

We suggest you to take suitcase and day bag. Take long paints, long sleeve, shorts, T-shirt, first aid.