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Cultural Tour of Western & Central Bhutan

Day 01	:	Arrive Paro by Druk-Air. During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Sakten Tours & Treks Ltd. who will escort you to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.
Day 02	:	Paro - Thimphu The drive to Thimphu (Capital) through the winding road along the Paro and Thimphu river takes about 2 hrs. The distance is 65kms. On the way, 6kms before reaching Thimphu, visit the Simtokha Dzong ( Dzong means Fortress ). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. It houses one of the largest monastic schools in the country. Check in at the hotel. Thimphu has several good standard hotels with all the modern facilities except for television. ( restricted by the govt. ) We keep their guests in the best Bhutanese hotels. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.
Day03	:	Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (77kms) After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, halt at Dochula Pass (26kms) for a hot cup of tea/coffee and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. (possible on a clear day). Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means " Male river and Female river ". It is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D. Wandiphodrang lies 13kms from Punakha. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong and its small town is perched on a hill between two rivers. This Dzong also houses the District Administration office of the Wangdi district and the office and the living quarters of the district monk body. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D. Overnight at the Mendigang Resort/Zangtoe Pelri Hotel
Day 04	:	Punakha - Trongsa After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). The journey takes about 6 hrs with lunch stop on the way.
Day 05	:	Tongsa sightseeing – Bumthang Morning: Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.) Overnight: Guest House in Bumthang.
Day 06	:	Bumthang sight seeing: Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso " The flaming Lake " which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots. Overnight: Guest House in Bumthang.
Day 07	:	A full day excursion to Ura Valley (65kms from Bumthang). Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening. Overnight: Guest House in Bumthang.
Day 08	:	Bumthang –Gangtey After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. 174kms from Bumthang. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Overnight: Overnight: Guest house in Gangtey.
Day 09	:	Gangtey - Paro After breakfast drive to Paro (190kms.) Lunch on the way at Thimphu.
Day 10	:	Paro sightseeing. Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Chomolhari " Mountain of Goddess " can be seen on a clear day. On the way back, visit a typical Bhutanese farm house. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon : Visit the National museum ("Ta-Dzong"). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Visit Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower ("Utse") of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.
Day 11	:	Paro – Excursion to Taktsang Monastery After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest." The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.
Day 12	:	Paro - Departure. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to connect with the onward flight.