Fly on the wings of the Dragon to Bhutan, on arrival in Paro International Airport, complete the immigration formalities and exit through only one arrival gate where HBT dedicated team who will be holding placard, no one will be missed. We welcome with khaddar and proceed to Thimphu which will take about an hour and half. The route will follow Paro River until Chuzom from where we will bend towards Thimphu river taking us to the heart of capital city Thimphu. The entire stretch of drives is very scenic and picturesque as we pass by some of the beautiful villages of Bondey, Shaba, Isuna etc until we enter welcome gate in Thimphu. Visit the weekend market (Thu-Sun): An interesting well organized permanent set of stalls built for vegetable vendors across the country. It’s open from Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays. One can find wide range of local vegetables and fruits. Other side of the river is place for indigenous goods and handicrafts section, where locally produced goods, including religious objects, cloth, baskets and hats etc from various minority groups are sold here. These shops are open from Friday to Sunday only. Visit Takin reserve national animal: National Animal of Bhutan which has very unique story and its one of the never seen strange animal. It’s worth a hike to the place. If time permits, Wangditse hike: From the start point, the trail heads up for a while and drops down gently through oak, blue pine and rhododendron until you will reach Wangditse monastery. The view of Tashichodzong, Thimphu city, and Buddha statue is stunning from here. In the evening we will explore the city by walk: If time permits, walking through the city gives you immense joys and understanding of modern city. Good option for imported garments and local souvenir, beside unique local handicrafts. Thimphu offers mixed style of personalities. Take the street walk in Thimphu – only city in the world without traffic lights. Visit Tashichho Dzong: Houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and government secretariat buildings, beautiful arts and crafts, built in 17th century. Visitors are open for an hour in the evening and closed during official meeting or gathering. Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m

Thimphu- This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Thimphu is the most modern city with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. However it still retains its cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization, often referred as world only city without traffic lights. Cheri Monastery: In 1627 the first Buddhist Monastic School for Bhutan was started by Shabdrung in Cheri, which to these days has become a Meditation center for higher level Buddhist studies. The Monastery buildings are old and still contains many sacred relic from past. Drive pass by Memorial Chorten: It is located close to the center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. Visitors will find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day. The National Memorial Chorten was built in memory of Late Third King of Bhutan and dedicated to World Peace. Third King is regarded as father of modern Bhutan. Visit Buddha viewpoint: The Buddha Dordenma is located at a top of the hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and overlooks the southern entrance to Thimphu valley. Changangkha Lhakhang: Changangkha Lhakhang is located at the lower part of Motithang in upper Thimphu, on a small hill overlooking the Thimphu Town below. The main relic of Changangkha Lhakhang is the Chenrigzi in an 11 headed thousand arms manifestation. Visit textile museum: The National Textile Museum which opened in June 2001, is worth a leisurely visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Changing exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men. The small shop features work from the renowned weaving centers in Lhuntshe Dzongkhag, in north-eastern Bhutan. Each item is leveled with the name of the weaver and price. The textile museum’s exhibition are centered around six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibres and the royal collection. Overnight in Thimphu

As we proceed to Paro, we will take an excursion to Dochula before heading to Paro. The entire stretch of drive will refresh your mind and give you chance to enjoy the great snowcapped mountain views of the Himalayas from Dochula Pass. Excursion to Dochula pass: The pass is at a popular location as it offers a stunning 180 degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic and very clear on winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Visit 17th century Paro Dzong: ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’, is ranked one of the best Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley, particularly when landing at Paro Airport. The Dzong also offers administrative seat of the district of Paro. The Dzong was built in 1644 under the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Ta Dzong unique national museum: Perched above Paro Dzong it was watchtower built in 1649 to protect the undefended Paro Dzong located below, renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. Today this museum houses the best collections of all time historical items making worth for a visit. Visit 8th-century Kyichu Lhakhang: Temple considered sacred Jewel of Bhutan was established by the Buddhist King Songstsen Gampo of Tibet to overcome the giant ogress that laid across Tibet and Himalayas preventing the spread of Buddhism. The king is believed to have built the temple at the left foot of the enormous ogress. Kichu Lhakhang was among 12 temples in Bhutan out of 108 temples said to have been constructed over single night. Kichu Lhakhang was initially small in size however later, the temple expanded both in grandeur and size to its form that we see today. Enjoy outdoor activities wearing Gho/Kira, play archery: Nicely made and well maintained activity place attached to whole sell Buddha statue store, offers wearing Bhutanese dress, playing archery and darts for guests visiting Bhutan. The center is maintained and operated by HBT herself and its free of cost for all HBT guests. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m

Early morning after breakfast, drive to Sang Choekor from where we will start the trek. While we prepare to trek with the backpack, pay the respects at the Sangchoekor Sedra Buddhist College. The initial climb up from the temple through the thick alpine forest takes about 3 hours to reach the base of the old temple. The trail undulates for a while before the last steep pull up to the pretty temple which boasts commanding views of southern Paro valley including the airport. After a final 20 minutes climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, with a last glance southwards we plunge back into ancient forest traversing for about 40 minutes then come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred Chortens and prayer flags. Our home for the night is tucked in under Bumdra Monastery (cave of a thousand prayers) making the most of the awesome views of the Himalayan range. If time permits we can visit the monastery and also climb the peak to the north (about 4000m) for even better views, night halt at camp.

After a hearty breakfast in the jaw-dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger awhile soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually, we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig-zagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent, we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds. The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Zhangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs of Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive back to the hotel not forgetting to stop on the other side of the valley and look back at what we have achieved. Overnight in Paro

Home to Bhutan’s only international airport. Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields. Blessed with beautiful weathers throughout the year and world famous and most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage Taktsang is located in Paro. Visit the temples of Dzongdrakha on foot: Temple is situated on the western region of Paro Valley on the Cliffside and often referred as “Mini Taktsang” of Bhutan. Tucked in a cliff above Bondey village, visit to temple offers pictorial hikes and one of the must visit places in Paro for inquisitive guests while in Paro. Chelela Pass at 3988m: Highest motor-able road pass connecting two districts Paro and Haa, an elevation of 3988m above the sea level. On clear days, one can enjoy view of the most sacred Mt. Jomolhari (7314m). The pass is dotted with beautiful prayer flags and offers amazing walks around, worth a visit while in Bhutan. You can also plan to ride mountain biking from Pass to Paro valley with the stretch of 36-48km, mostly downhill and easy ride. En-route, hike to Kila Gompa nunnery: Kila Nunnery also called Chele La Gompa has around 100 nuns, seven little temples and several residential buildings that straddle on the cliff-side facing Paro. It has great views of Paro, and Jele Dzong across on the far ridge and also seen to the north are Mt Chomolhari and Jichu Drake on a clear day.This amazing nunnery is far away from the hustle and bustle of the towns people but their view probably never misses anything. From the roadside near Chele La, it takes about 40 mins to climb about 300m. Overnight in Paro

Departure from the Kingdom of Bhutan