Saturday Sept. 26
Arrive Paro international airport from Bangkok
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by Bhutan Gateway and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon you can visit the following places:
-- Paro Rinpong Dzong (fort)
-- Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest monastery)
-- Drugyal Dzong (victory dzong)
In the evening you can explore Paro town. Overnight in Paro. Tenzinling Resort

Sunday Sept. 27
Paro to Thimphu (2-hour drive)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon you can explore the Thimphu weekend market. Overnight in Thimphu. Hotel Dragon Roots

Monday Sept. 28
Attend full day of the Thimphu festival
Today you will attend the Thimphu festival. A festival is also performed for Bhutanese to recount the history of Bhutan and Guru Rinpoche. Watching a festival is an act of building karma in your life. Many families get together and come out with their best dress to witness the festival. The festival will last until 3-4 in the afternoon. In the evening you can stroll through Thimphu town. Overnight in Thimphu. Hotel Dragon Roots

Tuesday Sept. 29
Thimphu to Wangdue/Punkaha sightseeing (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple. Overnight in Wangduephodrang. Hotel Dragon's Nest

Wednesday Sept. 30
Wangdue to Bumthang via Gantey (7-hour drive)
You will begin the day by driving to Gantey, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang. Wangdicholing Guest House

Thursday Oct. 1
Bumthang full day sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places: -- Jakar Dzong (fortress) -- Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan) -- Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print) -- Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings) -- Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) -- Short hike to Thangbi Monastery in the afternoon You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang. Wangdicholing Guest House

Friday Oct. 2
Hike to Petsheling monastery
Today you will hike to Petsheling Monastery, It is located about three hours' hiking distance above the Swiss Guesthouse on a steep incline. It offers fine panoramic views of the central Bumthang valley. You can also hike beyond the monastery across the ridge and feel the spirit of the mountains and monastery. In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight in Bumthang.Wangdicholing Guest House

Saturday Oct. 3
Bumthang to Wangdue stop in Trongsa (7-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang. On they way you will stop in Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. Later you will continue to drive to Wangdue. Overnight in Wangduephodrang. Dragons Nest Resort

Sunday Oct. 4
Wangdue to Thimphu (afternoon sightseeing)
After an early breakfast drive back to Thimphu. In Thimphu you can visit the following places.

-- King's Memorial Chorten
-- Chang Gangkha Monastery
-- Takin Reserve (which contains the national animal of Bhutan)
-- Nunnery Temple and National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts)
-- School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school)
-- Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum
-- Simtokha Dzong (oldest fortress in Bhutan)
Overnight in Thimphu. Hotel Dragon Root

Monday Oct. 5
Thimphu to Paro (morning hike to Tango monastery)
After breakfast you will drive 12km north of Thimphu to hike to Tango monastery. It will take about 45 minutes to hike to the monastery. Tango Monastery is a Buddhist college, and it's the residence of the Desi Tenzin Rabgye, a young boy who is the reincarnation of the 16th-century monk who built Tango.

In the afternoon you can drive to Paro and visit the National museum. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro. Overnight in Thimphu. Hotel Tenzinling Resort

Tuesday Oct. 6
Depart Paro for Bangkok