7 Nights 8 Days Western Bhutan Tour

After breakfast, visit the following places: Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan's national animal, the takin, an extremely rare member of the goat family found only in Bhutan. They live on a diet of grass and bamboo and are usually found in herds at very high altitudes (13,125ft and over); an adult can weigh as much as 550 pounds. Weaving Centre: Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre is a small cottage industry offering a variety of traditionally hand-woven Bhutanese clothing and other textile products. Institute for Zorig Chusum: commonly known as the Arts and Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; on a visit, you can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. Textile Museum: the Royal Textile Museum of Bhutan, also known as the Royal Textile Academy, is a national textiles museum located close to the Taj Tashi Hotel and several authentic handicraft shops. Established in 2001, it holds a large collection of antique textile artifacts; weaving is an important part of Bhutan's culture and tradition, and the Academy aims to preserve and promote this living art both domestically and internationally. Weekend Market: every Saturday and Sunday, much of Thimphu's population and many valley dwellers gather on the banks of the river for the weekend market, an interesting place to mingle with local people. National Sport of Bhutan (Archery): one of the best places to witness a game of traditional and modern archery, Bhutan's national sport. If you want to take some good pictures of an archery match, this is one of the best places to be, as there is almost always a tournament being played. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, travel to Punakha over Dochula Pass (3,140m). On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a monastery built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and the armed forces, after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan. Continue on to Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture; it served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 until 1907, and its dzong is historically important, standing as a symbol of a unified Bhutan. On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village, then visit the Divine Madman's Monastery, Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. Then visit Punakha Dzong, located at the junction of the Pho Chhu (male river) and the Mo Chhu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region, and its woodwork is considered among the finest in the country. In the evening, visit Rinchengang and Lobesa villages, where you will take a short walk and have a free interaction with the villagers. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, enjoy a short hike and local sightseeing. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Hike: a beautiful hike takes you to the regal Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley, with commanding views across the Mo Chhu and towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond. After lunch, visit Limbukha: drive towards Limbukha village, then walk across the suspension bridge (about 200m long) through a fresh breeze and with a fascinating view of the dzong. Follow the farmhouses gradually climbing towards the Dompala hills; the view of the dzong, the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and the surrounding villages is superb amidst chir pine forests. The climb is another two and a half hours to Limbukha. Limbukha farmers grow Bhutan's famous red rice, which is said to have medicinal value; this particular rice needs clean mountain spring water so that its taste and nutritional value are maintained. Limbukha is also known for its love of peace and tranquility. Legend has it that during medieval wars, the 'limpus', or people of Limbukha, always volunteered as peace negotiators. This is also depicted during the yearly festival called 'Serda', when the men carry peace flags instead of swords and fireworks. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey Valley. It is located in the beautiful, broad, U-shaped glacial valley of Phobjikha. On arrival, check into your hotel, and after lunch, hike a nature trail: from the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village, then continue through beautiful forests and into the open valley. After passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang, the trail ends at the local community school, before a final 30-minute walk into town. Black-Necked Crane Information Centre: situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the centre has an observation room equipped with high-power telescopes and spotting scopes for the best views of the cranes. It also offers information outlining the natural and cultural history of the area, and has a small gift shop selling handicrafts made by local people. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

After breakfast, travel to Paro. On the way, visit the following: Tamchog Lhakhang Bridge: located across the river on the Thimphu–Paro highway, about a 30-minute drive from Paro towards Thimphu, Tamchog Lhakhang sits across the Paro River and is reached by an iron chain suspension bridge. The lhakhang and the bridge were built by the 13th-century Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo, who was also a blacksmith and an architect. Of the many iron chain bridges he built, only a few remain in use today, and crossing this old bridge can be a thrilling experience. Some of the original iron chain links used to build it are on display at the National Museum in Paro. Paro Airport Bird's-Eye View: Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, with a single runway and very little international air traffic; it is considered one of the more challenging airports in the world to land at, but also one of the most beautiful in terms of landscape and architecture. Check into your hotel and later visit the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower), where an intriguing collection of artifacts provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. In the evening, stroll through Paro town and visit local handicraft stores. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as 'Tiger's Nest'. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your fitness, and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshments at the viewpoint cafeteria, then walk further up to the monastery, which takes about another hour. It is said that in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in 1998 but has since been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk back downhill towards the road, stopping for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria on the way, then continue down to the road point. From here, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress on a ridge in the upper Paro valley, about a 30-minute drive north of Paro town. Drukgyel Dzong means 'Fortress of the Victorious Drukpas' and was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as an important base for defense in the region until 1951, when it was destroyed by fire; its ruins continue to be protected as an important monument linking the people of Bhutan with the events that helped maintain the country's sovereignty. Drukgyel Dzong served solely a defensive purpose, without administrative or religious functions, guarding against external threats from the border. The existing ruins are comparatively well preserved, and visitors can still make out the features of the complex without much difficulty. While most of the timber components, such as the roof trusses, door and window frames, floors and ceilings, are almost entirely gone, the majority of the stone and rammed-earth wall structures still stand, helping visitors understand the ideas and practices of defense in earlier times. Reconstruction of the fortress began in April 2016, on the command of His Majesty the King, to mark the 400th anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's arrival in Bhutan in 1616. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, we will drive you to Paro International Airport for your onward departure.