The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt. Tsherimgang. The green wall of hills known as the duars, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continually higher as down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the sky. You will be received by our representative and escorted to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan and the Rinpung dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks. Evening drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Check into hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. See the Traditional Painting School of Arts & Crafts where children are taught century’s old craft. Visit the National folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese way of life. See the Textile Museum to get an understanding of the beautiful hand woven Bhutanese textiles. Visit the painting school where the traditional style painting Thangka is taught. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch you will visit the Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in 1974 to honor memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The stupa is one of the most elegant masterpieces built in the 20th century with detail religious wall paintings and sculptures. Then visit the 14th century Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then drive Sangaygang – the viewpoint. It is also known as “Lover’s Point,” where young couples come to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley. Then you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as “Iron Bridge Builder” in Bhutan’s history. It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. You will then visit the Handicrafts Emporium for souvenirs. Overnight at Hotel. –B/L/D.

After breakfast drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass (3100 m). An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3100 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Evening visit the YANA Farmhouse to have an insight into Bhutanese way of life. Dinner and overnight at hotel. – B/L/D.