Black-Necked Crane Festival

Arrive at Paro airport and transfer to restaurant for lunch. After lunch, you will be taken to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. Check into hotel on arrival and take an orientation walk in the town.

Enjoy some sightseeing in Thimphu with a visit to King’s Memorial Chorten (which was built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck), School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Buddha Point, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the “Fortress of Glorious Religion”.

Enjoy scenic drive to Punakha. Stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. When you arrive at Metshina Village, you can take 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. Take lunch in one of the restaurants and continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.

About 30 minutes drive from Punakha is Wangduephodrang, the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and stone carving. From Wangduephodrang, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.

Witness the Black-necked crane festival in the morning. In the afternoon, you can hike in Phobjikha valley, the home to the rare Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. You can also visit the Crane Observation and Education Center to learn about the feeding and roosting habits of the cranes.

Today you will retrace back to Thimphu. Take in the panoramic views of the Himalayas from Lawala pass before descending into Wangdue. From Wangdue, the road climbs through forests till Dochula pass. Enjoy your lunch here with nice views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill till Simtokha, where the road splits. Continue on to Paro.

Embark on a vigorous hike up to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery, the most famous pilgrim site, which clings to the rock at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.

As per flight timing, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.