Arrive at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.

Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).

After lunch, visit Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan - the Late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The paintings & sculptures provide a rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. The drive also includes pit-stops to visit Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve centre and Sangay Gang view point, the Largest and tallest statue of Buddha in the world and Tashichho Dzong. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.

The next day, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass after a hearty breakfast. Weather permitting; we take a short stop at Dochula pass to bask in the shadows of the Higher Himalayas.

While in Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.

After Lunch, embark upon an excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Punatsangchhu Cottages or similar.

The next morning, drive to Wangdiphodrang. Enroute, take a short stop to view Chimi Lhakhang also called the “Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad man” in 15th century.

Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.

Further sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, includes a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend says when people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, interpreted as the spread of religion to in all four directions. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers.

After lunch, drive to Thimphu, where you have the rest of the day free for shopping and exploring the city. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Migmar or similar.

The following day, visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by visit to Painting School, famous for carvings and free hand art and the Folk Heritage Museum.

After lunch, visit the Handicrafts Emporium to see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts and textiles, followed by an evening transfer to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay at Tashi Namgay Resort or similar.

The next morning, an early breakfast is followed by a short drive to Satsam Chorten, whence you embark upon a short trail that climbs through a beautiful pine forests; many of the trees are festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort. After lunch, visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices.

In the evening, visit the Drukgyel Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the dzong whose name means “victorious Druk“ now lays in ruins but was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Later, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating right back to the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century.

Srongsen Gampo: He was a Tibetan king who married a Chinese princess, Wenchen in 641, as a apart of her dowry was a statue called “Jowo” which was an Indian image of Buddha, Sakyamuni as a small boy. In 659, He decided to build 108 Temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever and, at the same time, convert the Tibetan people to Buddhism. 6 of these Temples lie in Bhutan, most prominent of them are Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. Kichu Lhakhang is said to hold the left foot of the Ogress and Jambay Lhakhang pins the left knee.

Dinner and overnight in Tashi Namgay Resort or similar.