Day 1

Bagdora – Phuntsholing

Our Representatives from Zoid Jin Tours or our counterpart from Jaigon will be going to receive from Bagadora airport and then transfer to Phuntsholing.

If time permits scroll at Phuntsholing town else over night stay at hotel in Phuntsholing.

Overnight hotel at Phuntsholing

Day 2

Phuntsholing – Thimphu

After breakfast after the permit formalities transfer to Thimphu. On the way enjoy with water fall and bridges.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 3

Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast visit the following:

·         Memorial Chorten also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa built in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck.

·          Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

• BBS Tower :  Visit Sangaygang to get the clear view of Thimphu Valley and there is BBS Tower.
• Nunnery (Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery) The nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang is located above Zilukha Lower Secondary School, overlooking Tashichodzong in Thimphu valley. It is a few minutes’ drive from the main Thimphu town.

After lunch visit:

• The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. The National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are compounded and dispensed.
• The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.

·         Craft Bazaar where artisans and craftsmen from across the country come to sell their products.

·         Centenary Farmers’ market (if your tour coincides with Thu-Sun) where farmers would be selling their wide range of farm produces (vegetables from farms and wild ferns or bamboo shoots collected from forest, flour, rice, roasted rice, rice flakes, spices, yams both cultivated and wild ones collected from forests, fruits, etc) and livestock products (mainly cheese and butter). Free interaction with people from town as well as from villages come to this weekend market. Weekend market is from Thursday-Sunday (4 days).

Overnight Hotel at Thimphu

Day 4

Thimphu– Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). In the clear spring sky; enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on a hillock by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

You may visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang .The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple) was built to honor His Majesty the fourth DrukGyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the lhakhang (temple) that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future.

After lunch visit:

·         Divine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

·         Punakha Dzong , located on the island of the Pho Chu (male river) and the Mo chu  (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.  At the dzong  you can see the highest standards in woodwork. Also visit the massive Kuenray, the Coronation Hall of all Bhutanese kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mochu that has been recently renovated.

If time permits visit suspension bridge to get the clear views of Mendrelgang and the male river.

Overnight at Punakha

Day 5

Punakha – Water Rafting – Phobjikha Valley

After breakfast if interested you can have water rafting facilities else drive to Phobjikha valley and visits the following:

·         The Black Necked Cranes Centre : you will see the black necked cranes and also the video clips of how the phobjikha valley is.

·         Gangtey Monastery: We will visit Gangtey Monastery which is one of the oldest Nyigma sect of Buddhism . Then you will be drive back to Paro enroute through Thimphu sightseeing’s.

After sightseeing drive back to Nobding where you will see khichu Himalayan region in a clear sky and walk around the Nobding villages.  

Overnight at Wangdue

Day 6

Phobjikha-Thimphu Sightseeing  – Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast travel to Paro via Dochula pass and southern part of Thimphu.  On the way at Thimphu Visit:

·         Simtokha Dzong: One of the first and oldest Dzong to be built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the year 1629.

On arrival at Paro, check into your hotel in Paro and after lunch visit the following:

·         National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

·         Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro River is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the "second Buddha.") .From the dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.

·         In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 7  

A Hike to Paro Takshang ( Tiger nest Temple )

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½  hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hotstone bath.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 8

Paro- Phuntsholing

After breakfast visit:

 Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Kyichu Temple is one of the 108 temples.

The travel back to phuntsholing and on the way visit:

·         Kharpandi Goemba :Founded in 1967 by Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron and situated at the altitude of 400m, this beautiful monastery contains paintings on the life of Buddha, statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. From the monastery garden there is a fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains.

Day 9

Zoid Jin Tours & Treks (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at Bagdora airport or NJP Railway Station for the onward destinations.