Aarobhutan ! bt

Day 1: Arrival at Paro Airport by our Royal Bhutan Airlines (Druk Air) where the representative of Aaro Bhutan tour company will be waiting to welcome the Guest and escort to the hotel for orientation. Overnight hotel.

Day 2: After Breakfast we organize a hike to the tiger’s nest up to the view point for the best view of the monastery site. This tiger’s nest is considered one of the most important pilgrimage site in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan where Lotus born Buddha (Guru Rimpoche) has mediated in the cave and this is how Buddhism got spread in all over the Himalayas. Descend to the valley and visit another few important monasteries including the 7th century monastery up to the courtyard, national museum, Paro Dzong, Dungtsi monastery and we have few temples in the middle of the town. Overnight hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan takes 11/2 hours to get there across the confluence of Pa-chu and Thim-chu. In Thimphu our sightseeing would include Nunnery, national Library, arts and crafts school, folk heritage museum, traditional medicine hospital, memorial chorten, Bhutanese handmade paper factory, gold and silver smiths, textile museum, zangtho pelri temple, emporium, Norling handicraft and mini zoo where we have national animal called Takin and lots of other handicrafts. Overnight hotel.

Day 4: Thimphu –drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and summer capital for the monk body where they spend 6 months there across Dochu La pass of 3050mtrs. You would have panoramic views of our Himalayas at the Tibetan border. It’s a long descend to Punakha through a cold broad leaf vegetation to sub-tropical zone and visit Punakha Dzong, which has four fine examples of Bhutanese wood carving and art work. We also visit the Chime Lhakhang (Devine madman temple) built in 15th century for the family those who are unable bear a child. It is 2-3 hours drive today. Overnight hotel.

Day 5: Punakha, drive to Trongsa through Wangdi Phodrang valley and over Pelela pass of 3300 mtrs. It’s a very interesting drive to Trongsa through the dense forest of chestnut, birch and oak trees where we see lots of rhesus monkey and white monkey called lungur along the way. After the pass it is descend to the valley of Rukuji and Chendebji where these two valleys is very famous for growing potatoes and export to our neighboring country India. Then you reach to Chendebji Chorten, built in the half of the 18th century by Nepalese lama called Sidha in order to nail out the demon and gradually to Trongsa district. Trongsa means a new village and the Dzong is one of the largest in Bhutan. Now, the Dzong is under renovation but you can still visit in the courtyard and inside the temples. Hiking up to the watchtower will be another interesting site because you get a good view of the Dzong and river at the background. Today our driving distance would be 4-5 hours. Overnight hotel.

Day 6: Trongsa –drive to Bumthang would be just about 3 hours over Yotongla pass of 3400mtrs. Then after that you would be driving through the pine forest and the best road of Bhutan. Chumey weaving factory is situated by the roadside and am sure you won’t miss it. Gradually after that you reach to Bumthang, the central valley of Bhutan. Bumthang is considered as spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Overnight hotel.

Day 7: Bumthang –Halt, today the festival called (Jambay Lhakhang Drup) starts at the courtyard of the temple and you will be spending the whole day in the festival. (A short brief on festivals in Bhutan). The Tsechu is a festival in honour of Padmasambhava, one who was born from a lotus flower, popularly known as “Guru Rimpoche” the precious teacher. This Indian saint contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan etc. around 800 A.D. he is the founder of Nyingmapa, “the old school” of Lamaism which still has numerous followers. The biography of Guru Rimpoche is highlighted by 12 episodes on the model Buddha Shakyamuni’s life. “The Tsechu” which has become the name of a very popular “festival” commemorates each episode around the year on the 10th day of the month. The dates and the duration of the festival vary from one district to another but they always take place on or around the 10th day of the month according to the Bhutanese calendar. Overnight hotel.

Day 8: Bumthang –halt, there are numerous monasteries and temples in and around the valley but you would be taken to the best and old ones for visiting throughout your stay in Bumthang. There is also a dance called the “Ter-cham” a secret dance that takes place only at mid-night, but will depend on how the district administrator and the Royal Government regulate system for outsiders. There is an interesting hiking distances to monasteries and good views overlooking to the valley with your pack lunches and bottle of  water on the way up and down. Overnight hotel.

Day 9:Bumthang –Ura, drive to Ura the last valley of Bumthang and also visit the Mebar Tso the burning lake, where Terton Pema Lingpa has discovered the hidden treasure of Guru Rimpoche on the way or way back. Overnight hotel.

Day10: Bumthang – Wangdi Phodrang , after enjoying a couple of days in Bumthang you might not even feel like driving back to Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Wangdi Phodrang.

Day11: Wangdi Phodrang – Thimphu, drive back and cover up your remaining sightseeing in the valley and you might want to spend  more time in the town for buying souvenirs  for your friends. Overnight hotel.

Day 12: Thimphu – make short hike Tango and Cheri monasteries where we have Buddhist University and after lunch drive back to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 13: Drive to Airport for your onward flight.