Central Bhutan tour will take you deep into the heart of the beautiful Bumthang valley, considered to be the ‘Switzerland of Bhutan.’ Our route crosses three high mountains passes: Dochula at 3100 m, Pelela at 3300m and Yotongla, the highest at 3400 m. Bumthang is considered to be the spiritual home of the Bhutanese people.

 

 

 

Outline itinerary:
Day 01:	Arrive at Paro – Thimphu.  You will be received at the Paro Airport by an airport representative. Drive to Thimphu.
Day 02:	Sightseeing around Thimphu.  Morning visit to the Memorial Chorten, the Zangthopelri Lhakhang and the School of Thangka Painting. Afternoon visit the Handicraft Emporium and some local shops.
Day 03:	Thimphu – Trongsa.  Drive to Trongsa across the Dochula Pass and Pelela Pass. Stop at Chendebji Chorten for picnic lunch. Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 04:	Trongsa – Bumthang.  Visit to the Ta Dzong (watchtower) and Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan. Drive across Yutola Pass and on to Bumthang. Enroute visit the Chume valley, where local women weave the famous “Bumthang Yathra”, pure woolen cloth woven in the traditional method with beautiful colored patterns.
Day 05:	Bumthang. Day excursion to Ura Valley with a picnic lunch. Evening at leisure.
Day 06:	Bumthang – Trongsa.  In the morning, visit to the Wangdichholing Palace, Swiss Farm House, the Tamshing Lhakhang and Kuenshusum Lhakhang. Drive back to Trongsa. Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 07:	Trongsa – Wangdue via Gangtey.  Drive to Gangtey (95 kms – 4 hours drive). Gangtey is situated in Phubjikha valley, which the winter home of endangered Black-Necked Cranes that migrate to this valley from Central Asia in winter. Picnic lunch at Gangtey. Drive to Wangdue.
Day 08:	Wangdue – Punakha – Paro.  Morning visit to Wangdue town. Drive to Punakha Dzong and visit the Dzong if the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Monk Body have shifted to Thimphu for the summer as this Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Central Monk Body. Drive to Thimphu for lunch and we head to Paro.
Day 09:	Paro.  Sightseeing around the Paro valley includes visit to Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum, the ruins of Drugyel Dzong and the courtyard of Kichu Lhakhang one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan – dated 7th century AD. In the afternoon visit to Paro town and leisure.
Day 10:	Paro excursion to Taktshang or drive to Chelila pass.  Drive to Ramthongkha and then hike to viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest (one and a half hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery unfortunately got burnt in 1998 but it has recently been reconstructed.
Day 11:	Paro – Departure. Early breakfast at the hotel and drive to the Paro Airport for you final departure.