Bhutan The Last Shangri La Tour

Arrive at Paro Airport and travel to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. 2320m/7656ft above sea level is the altitude. (Drive time: 1 hour and 30 minutes). The flight to Paro is one of the most breathtaking mountain flights available. Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and other peaks in Bhutan, such as Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tsrim Khang, can all be seen from here. Our agent greets you and transports you to your hotel.

Afternoon visit to Taa Dzong, Bhutan's only National Museum. The Taa Dzong is Asia's finest natural history museum, with exhibits ranging from ancient Armour to textiles and THANGKHA paintings.

Then walk down the path to Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), which was established in 1646 during Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's reign. It now serves as the site of the Paro monastic school and the civil administration's office. Rinpung Dzong is also the site of the Paro Tshechu, which takes place once a year in the spring. Taking a walk through Paro market in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft

In the morning, after breakfast, we visit the Memorial Chorten (built-in remembrance of Bhutan's third King, who reigned from 1952 to 1972), a nunnery shrine, and a mini zoo where we can see Takin, the country's national animal. We will also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, the folk heritage museum, the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, and the traditional paper factory

On weekends, though, some of the attractions are closed (Saturdays and Sundays). As a result, if we visit Thimphu on weekends, we visit the Weekend Market instead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel at Thimphu

Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft

We drive to Punakha after breakfast via Dochu La Pass (3,100m), which offers stunning views of the Himalayas on a clear day. We then travel downhill through woods of rhododendron, pine, and hemlock. On the road, we stop at Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple devoted to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman. We also visit Punakha Dzong after arriving in Punakha, which was established between 1637 and 1638 and is Bhutan's second oldest and largest dzong. Punakha is where you'll spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel at Punakha

Maximum Altitude: 1,250m/4,101ft

Travel Distance: 76 km

Driving: 2-3 hrs

We go to Wangduephodrang in the morning. Slate and stone carvings are well-known in the surrounding villages. We then travel to Gangtey, a lovely village surrounded by spectacular snow-capped mountains, through thick oak and rhododendron woods. Views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the lovely Phobjikha valley, the winter home of the black-necked cranes, are available from here. The Gangtey Monastery is located on a small hill that rises above the valley floor. Before returning to Punakha for the night, we visit Phobjikha villages.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 2,900m/9,515ft

Travel Distance:164 km

Driving: 5-6 hrs

We start our journey to the Paro valley after breakfast. We go to Rinpung Dzong in Paro, which means "fortress built from a heap of jewels." We'll also see Kichu Lhakhang, Bhutan's oldest temple, and Drugyal Dzong, which was established in 1646 to celebrate Bhutan's defeat of Tibetan invaders in the 1600s. Paro is where you'll spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft

Travel Distance: 130 km

Driving: 4 hrs

We trek for 4 to 5 hours after breakfast to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most prominent monastery at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have soared into a cave where the Taktsang Monastery now sits on the back of a tigress to meditate. The Cafeteria Restaurant, situated about halfway up the mountain, will serve lunch. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft

Walking/Hiking: 4-5 hrs

We say goodbyes to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and its welcoming people today. Druk Air typically takes off early in the morning in order to escape bad weather. As a result, we will be driven to the airport in the morning after breakfast for our final departure.

Meals: Breakfast