Day 01 : Arrive Paro by flight which will offer you great views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Tsrim gang and Jichu Drake. The moment you step out of theplane you will see the difference . Bhutan welcomes you with cool, clean fresh air.Peace and quietness is just another bonus. ITT representatives will escort you to Kichu resort. If time prevails visit the National museum & Rinpung Dzong. O/N Kichu Resort.
Day 02 : Drive to Thimphu (2hrs). Upon arrival check into Hotel River view or similar. PM sightseeing – Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market.
Day 03 : AM visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the market area. Overnight at Wangdi Kichu Resort.
Day 04 : AM early drive to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. The trekking staff will be waiting for your arrival and start hike to Gogona. A moderate trail winds through meadows and fields then ascends to the Tselela pass. You will be walking through forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron. The people of Gogona are nomads and have their own dialect. Camp at 3200 meters. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 05 : Gogona to Khotokha. A gentle climb leads to Shobjula pass at 3700 meters with views of the wide open valley. Then descend gradually to camp at 3100 meters. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 06 : Khotokha – Tikke Zampa & transfer to Punakha, Altitude : 1300m, 12km, 5 hours walk.
A short, steep climb along a well-known path takes you to Tashi La (2800m). This is the upper terminus of the cable car” that transports wood down to Chhuzomsa, 1300m below. The walk down is through a beautiful forest, with the undergrowth changing from rhododendrons and magnolia to ferns and dwarf bamboo. This stretch of trail is one of the finest bird-watching areas in Bhutan. Among the species found here are laughing thrush, shrike, magpie and woodpecker. The trail then plunges down past steep terraced wheat fields to a cluster of houses at Whachay. The trail eventually meets the road near Tikke Zampa at 1500m.
End of trek and then visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgayl in 1638. It is located on top of a high ridge overlooking a river junction. The Dzong stands majestically on a spur and commands an impressive view over both north-south and east-west roads.
Evening visit Punakha Dzong, also known as ‘Palace of Happiness’. It is a massive structure at the junction of two rivers and was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. Punakha Dzong is the most beautiful and well-known fortress connected with Bhutan’s historical traditions. Overnight at Resort.
Day 07 : AM drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. PM drive back to Paro. Overnight Kichu Resort.
Day 08 : Transfer to airport for departure.