Today we drive to visit the Ta-dzong (national museum), an ancient round building, which served as watch tower to the Paro Rimpong Dzong until 1968, when it was converted into museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll painting), ancient artifacts dating from 7th century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, a collection of animals, birds and butterflies and a collection of ancient armor.  After the museum, we will visit Paro Dzong (a fortified monastery); a prime example of Bhutanese architecture. From the dzong, we will enjoy a leisurely walk back into town, crossing over one of Bhutan’s traditional cantilevered bridges. After lunch, we will drive to HAA valley to the north bordering Tibet, through winding road, temperate forest of pines, rhododendrons and oak. After driving about an hour, we will reach the highest road point (Chilela Pass) with an altitude of 3988mts. Weather permitting we will enjoy the beautiful view of the mountain Jomolhari, surrounding mountains and lush valley of Paro right below. After the pass, the windy road descends all the way to HAA. On arrival we will check in to our hotel.
(HAA was off-limit to tourists until recently and it is not explored by the outside visitors. There are many places to hike, remote monasteries and temples to see and opportunities to meet local monks.) 

Following breakfast, we visit temples, monasteries, farm houses and hike to monasteries and temples around the valley. 

Following breakfast, we drive to Thimphu the capital town of Bhutan. It is 3 hours drive with scenes of distant villages, deep gorges and surrounding mountains. On arrival we will check in to our hotel. After lunch, we can stroll in the town, visit local handicraft shops and talk with the local people.

After breakfast, we will drive north of Thimphu valley to Dodina, the dead-end of the road.  We will cross the cantilever/wooden bridge and hike for about an hour to Cheri monastery through the temperate forest of oak, rhododendrons and other species of hard wood trees. The view from monastery below is very photogenic. Chari Monastery was built on the mountain in 1619 and is the upper education level monastic school. We will climb down and after having our picnic lunch, drive to the other side of the valley and walk to another monastery “Tango” This monastery dates back to 13th century but was re-built in the 17th century by the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan, and is now the residence of his young incarnation. 

Following breakfast, we begin our today with a visit of memorial chorten (stupa), built in memory of the third king of Bhutan by his mother, the late grand queen mother in 1974. We will visit Changangkhang lhakhang which sits on top of a knoll overlooking the valley. This temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu, and is dedicated to the god of compassion with 1000 arms, eyes and 11 heads. We then drive to Sangaygang, visiting the mini zoo en route, where golden takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are kept. On way back we will stop at Dubthob nunnery; visit the temple and also see the Bhutan secretariat building, the Trashichho Dzong (the fortress of the glorious religion). After lunch, we will visit the national library, which is stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts as well as modern books on history and culture. From here we will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, one of the oldest houses in Thimphu. The museum is meant to serve an account of everyday rural life for the young urbanized generations and as a place for preserving objects related to this life. Next, we visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). It was built to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country’s economy through quality products and services. In the course of history Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage, and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts and crafts.  From here we go to the Textile Museum. Many intricate designs of Bhutanese textiles are displayed here. It also serves as center for conservation, restoration and documentation of Bhutanese textiles. Our final visits are to the philatelic bureau for beautiful stamps and the handicraft emporium to see a display of intricate designs of Bhutanese fabrics, jewelry and other crafted products.

Late afternoon, we will enjoy a 3 hours spectacular mountain drive to Punakha, the old winter capital, crossing over Dochula pass (alt. 3150m). Weather permitting, we could have a wonderful panorama view of the eastern Himalayas. After hot cup of tea/coffee at a cafeteria, we will descend to Punakha, through temperate and sub-tropical forest. Arriving at Punakha, we will check in to our hotel. 

Following breakfast, we will drive to visit the Punakha Dzong hotel. It is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, with detail of paintings with intricate designs and also a very good example of Bhutanese art and architecture.  Situated in the confluence of Phochhu and Mochhu (male and female rivers), it looks like a giant ship. It was here that the first King was crowned in 1907. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, when it was shifted to Thimphu. This dzong was built in 1637, and still serves as the winter resident of the chief abbot of Bhutan. It houses both the administrative and religious centre of the Punakha district. We then drive further north of the valley and hike for about 45 minutes, crossing over a suspension bridge to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, and through the rice fields and the village of Niengergang. We will stop at a temple built to remove negative forces and to promote peace, stability, and harmony in the world. We climb down to the valley below and drive back to hotel for lunch. Towards evening, we will take a leisurely walk in and around the hotel.

After breakfast, we will visit the temple, Chime Lhakhang. The temple is situated on a hill above Yoakha village. Built in 1499, it is popularly known as “temple of fertility,” and is a pilgrim site for women who are unable to bear children. We will drive further south to view the great fortress of Wangdue Phodrang, and cross over Dochula Pass. After having lunch at the Dochula restaurant, we continue driving to Paro where we will spend the night.

Following breakfast, drive to airport for our flight home or another destination.