In The Land of Happiness (13 nights/14 days)
Explore western & central, eastern and northern Bhutan, and experience the true essence of the country and its people. This 14 days package assures you a wonderful and memorable experience of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan. The adventure begins by travelling on winding roads through the valleys to Thimphu, the capital city, visiting sacred temples, monasteries and dzongs (forts), Museums, crossing some of the highest mountains passes and having a spectacular view of Himalaya ranges, continuing your journey to Punakha & Gasa, Laya a northern nomad people and then via Trongsa to the heart of Bhutan Bumthang. Visit Mongar, Tashigang and Merak. Explore Phobjikha valley the winter home of the endangered bird Black-necked crane. Destinations are Paro, Thimphu, Gasa, Laya, Punakha, Phobjikha valley Wangdue, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, Tashigang and Merak to the northeast of the country.

Day 1: Arrival at Paro to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport where you will meet your tour guide & driver and then drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Distance & Time: 55 km, 1-hour Altitude: Paro 2200m & Thimphu 2300m
Attractions: Buddha Dordenma statues (169ft, 51.5m), Tashichoedzong (1771 Fortress of auspicious religion), Memorial Stupa (1974 in memory of the 3rd king of Bhutan), & Takin preserve centre (The national animal of Bhutan).
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu to Gasa via Dochula Pass & Punakha
Drive to Punakha the old capital and winter home of the central monk body via Dochula pass where you will have a spectacular view of the Himalayan ranges of Bhutan.
Distance &Time: 136 km, 6 hours
Altitude: Punakha 1200m, Dochula Pass 3150m, Gasa 2850m
Attractions: Highest Mountain peaks from the pass on a clear day, Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 Stupas) & Temple (2005); Punakha Dzong (1637, the fortress of great happiness), Chimmi Lhakhang (15th-century temple of fertility), Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.
Overnight: hotel in Punakha

Day 3: Gasa,Koina to Laya
In the morning drive to Koina till the road end. The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls. A gradual climb to the army camp where you have to show your Permit at the check post. The trek then climbs up to the village of laya. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang. In the village, the centres are a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. Experience the life of yak herders and Himalayan flora and fauna.

Day 4: Laya (Halt)
Today take a halt at laya village where you will have a chance to take photos of these beautiful people and villages. Laya is one of the highest and most remote villages in Bhutan, at 3700m. The people here raise yaks for their livelihood and they grow turnips, mustard, wheat and barley each year before winter. During summer people move to high pastures with their yaks and live in black tents woven from yak hair. The layups have their own language, custom and distinct dress. The women keep their hair long and wear conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike on top, held on by a beaded band. They dress in black woollen jackets with silver trims and long woollen skirts with a few stripes in orange or brown.

Day 5: Laya to Koina, gasa and Punakha
The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu to Koina with Lots of ups and downs that will lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3,300 m. The trek then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu, where you will find the campsite of Koina. From there a short climb you will meet with your car to pick you up and then drive to Punakha (1200m) which will take 3 hours.

Day 6: Punakha to Bumthang
Today after breakfast you will drive to Bumthang valley via Wangdue, Pelela pass (3300m), Trongsa and Yotong la pass (3400m).
Distance & Time: 198km, 7 hours Altitude: Bumthang 2500m
Attractions: Chendebji Chorten (18th century Nepali style stupa), Trongsa Dzong (ancient homes of the royal families) Jakar Dzong (1549 the fortress of white bird), Chamkhar town, Jampa Lhakhang (7th-century temple)
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Day 7: Bumthang to Mongar
It takes about seven hours to travel between Jakar and Mongar. You will drive through the dense forest and scenic and spectacular waterfalls. A small number of binocular-armed visitors will be hoping to catch a glimpse of a rufous-necked hornbill or a nuthatch. The trip crosses two passes and takes in numerous sheer drops on what is one of the most spectacular drivers in the country, descending 3200m over a distance of 84km. during winter the Thrumshing la Pass (3750m) is occasionally closed for days during heavy snowfall. Overnight at Mongar.
Distance & Time: 193km, 7 hours Altitude: Mongar 1600m
Attractions: Namling waterfall, Shongar Dzong, Mongar Dzong.
Overnight: Hotel in Mongar

Day 8: Mongar to Merak/Sakten, Trashigang
The Mongar to Trashigang (eastern part of Bhutan) is easier and shorter than the journey from Jakar to Mongar but still will take 3 hours. Trashigang (Auspicious Mountain) is one of Bhutan’s more interesting towns. From Tashigang drive to Merak/Sakten by a dirt road from Radhi to Merak or from Phongme to sakten. The people of Merak and taken trace their origins from Tshona in southern Tibet, they are culturally distinct from neighbouring ethnic groups and are recognizable by their unique dress; most notable is their shame, a beret-like black hat made from the chest hair of a yak, with spider-like tentacles descending from its edges to deflect rainwater. Women wear red and white-striped silk dresses, while men wear a red wool jacket.
Distance & Time: 140km, 6-7 hours Altitude: Korila pass (2400m), Tashigang 1070m, Merak/sake 3480m/2985m
Attractions: people of Merak & Sakten, Tashigang Dzong, Ranjung monastery,
Overnight: Merak / Sakten

Day 9: Merak/Sakten, Trashigang to Mongar
Early morning drive back to Mongar by the same road.
Distance & Time: 166km, 6 hours Altitude: Korila pass (2400m), Mongar 1600m
Attractions: scenic drive through the winding roads.
Overnight: Hotel in Mongar.

Day 10: Mongar to Bumthang
Drive to Bumthang.
Distance & Time: 193km, 7 hours Altitude: Mongar 1600m
Attractions: Namling waterfall, Shongar Dzong, Mongar Dzong.
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Day 11: Bumthang to Phobjikha valley
In the morning after breakfast begins your journey to the next destination Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue formed by the glacial and winter home for the endangered bird Black Necked Crane escaping the harsh winter of the Tibetan plateau. You have to drive the same road back via Pele la pass.
Distance & Time: 120 km, 4 hours
Altitude: Phobjikha valley 2800m
Attractions: Gangtey Monastery (17th-century temple, the only Nyingmapa Buddhist monastery in western Bhutan), Black-necked crane in winter, & 1-hour Hike through the Valley. Overnight: Hotel in Phobjikha
Take a flight from Bumthang to Paro which will take 30 mins approximately,

Day 12: Phobjikha valley to Paro
Today drive back to Paro via Wangdue, Dochula pass & Thimphu
Distance & Time: 175 km 5 hours
Altitude: Paro 2200m
Attractions: scenic drive through the winding roads, Himalaya ranges & Mt. Jomolhari the second highest mountain of Bhutan on clear blue sky, 15th century Iron Chain Bridge
Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 13: Paro, Hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s nest monastery
In the morning after breakfast hike to Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s nest temple) or ride a pony till halfway to the temple, you will walk through the blue pine forest and on the way, there is a cafeteria where you can have tea & snacks or Lunch.
Distance & Time: 7 km, 2- 3 hours
Altitude: Tiger’s nest temple 3000m
Attractions: Tiger’s nest temple, 8th-century Buddhist temple, Paro town for Shopping.
Overnight: hotel in Paro

Day 14: Paro (Departure)
Drive to Paro International Airport to catch a flight to your onward destination
If you want to visit Haa valley we will have one day extra to explore the beautiful valley.
Our plan includes your previous trip to Bhutan and a lot of new places for you also.