Your adventure to Bhutan begins before your feet even touch the ground. On a clear day, your flight to Bhutan offers extraordinary views of the Himalaya mountain ranges including the Mount Everest. Upon arrival at the Paro Airport, our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. A quick rest and we’ll visit the National Museum located above the town. The museum’s collection of artifacts, some dating as far back as 2000 BC, serves as a good primer on Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. After that a short drive below the museum to Paro Dzong (also called Rinpung Dzong, the fortress of jewels). Built by the great Buddhist Saint, the Zhabdrung, in the 16th century, the fortress is also where a chunk of the 1993 Hollywood film "Little Buddha’ with star Keanu Reeves was shot. Walk to town for lunch over an enchanting wooden cantilever bridge connecting the town to the fortress. In the afternoon, visit Dungtse Lhakhang built in the 14 century by one of the greatest tantric saints in the Buddhist world- Thangtong Gyalpo, also known as the great iron bridge builder. In the evening, enjoy a traditional hot stone water bath in a traditional wooden tub. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital and the best place to witness the country’s newly embraced modernity. Thimphu is also the only place on earth where the traffic is guided by a policeman using hand gestures. Visit the National Textile Museum, where Bhutan’s finest weavings and brocades are on display. Stroll through the craft bazaar, a single line of shops selling art and craft items. Visit the Centenary Farmer’s Market where organic vegetables and fruits are sold. In the evening, visit the Tashichhodzong, the office of the Dragon King of Bhutan. Overnight in hotel.

Delve into a private tour of one of the world’s most unique capital. With a population of just over 100,000 people, Thimphu is also the best place to witness the kingdom’s newly embraced modernity. Pay visit to the Buddha Dordenma, an enormous golden statue perched on a mountaintop at the edge of the city and, while there, experience the sweeping view of the valley below. Gain insight into rural Bhutanese life at the Simply Bhutan Museum, a replica of a traditional mud-and-timber farmhouse. Visit the Bhutan Postal Museum where Bhutan’s finest stamps are showcased. Observe the iconic and wish-fulfilling Memorial Chorten/stupa and witness thousands of devotees circumambulating it. In the evening, walk through the streets and brows its handicraft shops, explore neighborhoods where the old vies with the new, or mingle with locals at a karaoke bar. Overnight in hotel.

Drive to the Thimphu Dzong/fortress where you’ll spend the rest of the day mingling with the locals and visitors, and witnessing one of the greatest religious and cultural festivals in the world. It is believed just by being there on the day all your negative karma will be purified. View the locals decked in their finest traditional clothes. Observe them having a traditional picnic lunch around the foot of the fortress. We’ll drive you to your restaurant for your lunch and then back to the festival again. Overnight in hotel.

Journey to Punakha by way of the Dochu La pass (10,000 feet). With its circular formation of 108 chortens/stupas set against a panoramic backdrop of majestic mountains, the pass is an awe-inspiring and spiritual place. Upon reaching Punakha, set out on a hike through the surrounding rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang—a temple blessed by Drukpa Kuenley, known as the “Divine Mad Saint”. It is also called the fertility temple and is said a barren woman after being blessed by the relic of the temple- a wooden phallus- can conceive a child soon after. Check into your hotel and in the evening walk around the valley and check out the little town. Overnight in hotel.

This morning experience an invigorating hike through rice terraces and forests to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a spectacularly situated temple and be rewarded for your efforts with sweeping views of the valley below. Then visit the Punakha Dzong, an impressive fortress guarding the southern end of the valley at the confluence of Pho (male) and Mo (female) Rivers. Bhutan’s first king was crowned at the dzong in 1907 and since then have all the kings of Bhutan. End your day with a panoramic drive to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery and soak in the incredible view of the valley below. Drive to Paro to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Your journey in Bhutan culminates at the kingdom’s most iconic and sacred site: Taktsang Lhakhang, famously called the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This majestic structure is poised high above the Paro valley, built dramatically on the ledge of a granite cliff face. Legend has it that the eight century Buddhist Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava, came to this place riding on a flaming-flying tigress to subdue the demons wreaking havoc on the valley below. Make the steep, strenuous trek to the temple or hike to a nearby viewpoint, taking in a landscape dotted with pine trees, prayer flags, and ancient shrines. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local farmer before returning to Paro for the evening where you’ll be treated to a hot stone water bath at Taktsang Boutique Resort and Spa. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell. Hope you had a pleasant stay in the magical Land of the dragon kingdom! Hope to see you in Bhutan again.