This morning visit Drubthob Goemba monastery also called Zilukha nunnery is located on the slopes, looking down at Golf course and Tashicho Dzong with around 70 or so resident nuns. The monastery was founded by later reincarnation of Druthob Thangtong Gyalpo or Drubthob Chakzampa, who in the 15 century was known all over Tibetan Buddhist world for building iron bridges and he is also considered the father of Tibetan Opera. Zilukha is among the few nunneries in Bhutan. Pay a view to Pangri Zampa – two 16th century building that now house a monastic training school for astrologers.

Visit to Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu.. Some have come after the harvest season in eastern Bhutan, an area known for its fine weaving and silk worms. Only an experienced weaver can make a kushutara, the most prized and intricate textile found in Bhutan and the formal wrap dress for women. Bhutanese royals have trusted the Lhundrup center for decades for their ceremonial needs, including the young King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema, whose gho and kushutara for their highly publicized October 2011 marriage were woven here.

The weekend market (Fri-Sun) where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits and vegetables and many colourful local items such as yak tail duster, cups of butter tea, turquoise from Tibet, and musical instruments etc. After take a leisurely stroll along Thimphu’s main street, Norzin Lam.

After breakfast we will proceed to Punakha Valley. En-route you will visit Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley, which today is a Theological university. Continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during a low intensity conflict in late 2002 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border. On a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya.

Hike to Lungchutse Monastery. This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. It can be done as a loop starting from Dochula and finishing at Hongtsho village with Lungchutse gomba and Trashigang gomba visit. At Lungchutse one can enjoy 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters (10300 feet) above sea level. From here the trail slowly climbs a ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch and rhododendrons until reaching an open meadow. Again, you will enter into forest of moss-covered rhododendrons, gigantic hemlocks, junipers, and bamboo undergrowth. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple.

This morning visit the dramatic Punakha Dzong, which formally served as the seat of government and is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body). This is Bhutan’s most spectacular Dzong and an excellent example of how a medieval fortress and a centre of both monastic and adminstrative functions, has adapted and evolved for modern day use. This afternoon we especially recommend you travel northwards up the Punakha valley and take a fascinating hike through fields of vegetables and tiny hamlets to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. This Chorten holds very special significance being consecrated in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of the former Crown Prince – today’s current King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Drive to Phobjikha Valley, the road climbs for an hour till you reach Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150m dotted with colorful prayer flags and 108 Stupa. Weather permits, this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayans. You may enjoy a hot cup of tea/coffee at the Dochula resort. Continue to descend en route to Punakha & Wangdue through the temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in spring, then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance.

Have lunch on the way and continue the drive to Phobjikha Valley. The winter breeding ground of the endangered Black-necked Crane. This is a beautiful glacial valley that is quite unique to others you will have seen. With noticeably different vegetation it is well worth the visit.

After breakfast taking on the easy two hour trek known as the Gangtey Nature Trail is the best way to see Phobjikha Valley, a vast u-shaped valley surrounded by irregularly formed Himalayan mountain range carved by glacial activity.

The nature trail starts at from the Gangtey Goempa and ends in Khwe Lhakhang, passing by grass planes, farm houses and dense forest of pine trees, then finally reaching a vast open space of the wide and flat valley. Walking along Phobjikha Valley is a humbling experience, for it is one of those rare places that has a power to lift you up, to make you truly aware of your existence and to appreciate all over again the grandness of nature.

Optional Activities – Wake at 5.30am or attend the 6.30 Puja for about an hour to receive blessings

Special Arrangement for Lightings of Blessing Butter Lamp & Receive Blessings from Monk – Gangtey Goempa

After breakfast we will drive to Paro Valley, once again we will pass Dochu La, and arriving in Paro town in time for lunch. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the major features in Paro town including Paro Dzong with its cantilever bridge. In Paro we it is recommended to take a leisure stroll along the main street which offers good shopping for jewellery and handicrafts. Alternatively your guide will arrange a hike in the valley to suit your fitness & time frame.

In the evening relax in the Traditional Bhutanese at a farmhouse in Paro valley, an opportunity to learnt Bhutanese Cuisine. Enjoy Special Traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.

Chele La, the highest road pass in the country at 3988 metres (13100 feet), is decorated with thousands of prayer flags and offers astonishing long- reaching views, especially on clear days in the months of April-May and October- December. We suggest that you bring a picnic breakfast and get an early start from the hotel between 6 and 7 a.m. If you are lucky, you will reach Chele La just as the fog lifts. As you start climbing the hills towards the north of the pass, the mountain tops will appear one by one revealing Himalayan peaks such as the Jhomolhari (7314 meters / 24000 feet), Jichu Drake (6794 meters / 22290 feet) and the World’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, (8586 meters / 28169 feet) located in Sikkim, India. A variety of birds can also be seen and heard in the mountain landscape.

After one and a half hours of hill top climbing, you will reach a stone-bricked meditation hut with a breath taking 360° view. Enjoy your lunch admire the powerful surroundings before descending the last 45 minutes to Kila Goemba which can be seen hanging from the mountain side far below. After visiting the nunnery, the trail continues downwards through beautiful forest before catching up with the main road on the way back to Paro Valley.

Kila Goemba is considered Bhutan’s oldest nunnery even though no one can tell you the exact construction date as the whole temple along with all the history burnt down several years ago. When the nunnery was rebuilt it was taken over by the government and has been government owned for the last 23 years. Currently, about 40 nuns ranging in age from 15 – 80 reside in the temple. The temple has a statue of the God of Compassion which is believed to have miraculously come out of the mountain by itself.

Taktsang Monastery (aka as Tigers Nest) is one of the most scared and revered monasteries in the Kingdom and all Bhutanese Buddhists desire to make a pilgrimage visit to Taktsang at least once in their lives. Each step taken towards the monastery gains merit points towards their future. This morning you too will have the opportunity and good fortune to take a pilgrimage hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest). Choose between a 2 hour round trip hike to the monastery viewpoint or another 2 hours hike into the Monastery itself. Tigers Nest clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at over 1000 metres above the valley floor and where Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to subdue the local demons followed by 3 months meditation in a cave still visible in the monastery. In 1998 the monastery was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the 4th King in 2005.

After if time permits, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang – one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit followed by a visit to the old ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong (14km from Paro). This is the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory, from which the Bhutanese used to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 7314 metre snow domed peak of sacred Mt Chomolhari can be seen.

Tonight Enjoy Special Farewell Dinner with Bhutanese Hospitality!

Our representatives will transfer you to Paro International Airport. Wish you a safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan. Hope to see you again. Tashi Delek!