Depart the United States bound for Bangkok.

Early morning departure on Druk Air bound for Paro with a brief stop in Calcutta. Upon arrival in Paro transfer to the Olathang Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

This morning we will set out for the ancient temple of Avalokiteshvara at Kyichu which is now being restored under the auspices of Bhutan’s Queen Mother. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to the 8th century and one of the many temples built by King Songtse Gampo (the main temple being the Jokhang in Tibet, another sill surviving temple is Jampay in Bumthang). According to a legend, the Tibetan king sent 108 saints all over the Himalayan region to build replica temples of the Jokhang. The king drew a diagram of a devil over the map of the Himalayan Buddhist countries and a temple was to be built on every joint. The two knees of the devil fell on Bhutanese land, one in Kyichu and one in Bumthang. Of 108 temples built during that time, only 3 remain today.

Morning visit to the Paro National Museum, housed in Paro Dzong’s ancient watchtower. The museum contains a wonderful gallery of thangkas which offer a good insight into the complexity of Bhutanese iconography. From here continue on to the temple of Guru Khentse at Sartsamchorten where he lived and meditated until his death.

After lunch we will head to Chhuzom following the course of the Paro Chhu River to Dzongdrakha, one of Guru Rinpoche’s mediation places which clings to the cliffs high above the valley. Afternoon meditation.

Following the footsteps of Guru Rinpoche, we depart for the caves and temples of Tandrin-Nye. The walk up the mountain to Tandrin-Nye will take approximately 1 hour.

Mid-day drive to Thimphu, the permanent capital of Bhutan since 1955. Our afternoon tour will include a visit to the National Library where thousands of manuscripts and ancient xylographs are stored, as well as many wooden printing blocks. After a stop at the large Tibetan style Memorial Chorten, which is for many people the focus of their daily worship, we conclude our tour at the Painting School. Operated under the auspices of the Special Commisssion of Cultural Affairs, the school offers an eight year program which provides instructions in many of Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts.

Dinner this evening will be held at the Thimphu Golf Club.

Very early morning departure to Dochula Pass in time to catch the sunrise. From here we continue on across Pele La Pass and through the Black Mountain National Park to Chendebji, once a night halt for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the time of Bhutan’s second king. The chorten at Chendebji is modeled after the Swayambunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century by the Tibetan Lama Shida to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed at this spot. It is the westernmost monument in a “chorten path” that was once the route of early Buddhist missionaries.

We will overnight in a camp site near the chorten.

Morning departure for Yotong La where we will pass numerous monasteries on route to Chhume Valley, home to the red-roofed complex of Tharpaling Goemba situated on a cliff high above the village. Tharpaling was founded by Longchen Rabjampa, is made up of several temples and houses about 100 monks.

From here continue on to the Bumthang Valley, the cultural and historic heart of the kingdom. Bumthang is the general name given to the complex of four valleys- Chumey, Choeker, Tang and Ura. Today it is a district with administrative headquarters at Jakar. Here, the valleys are wide and open, and the mountains have relatively gentle slopes which give the surroundings a feeling of spaciousness that is unequaled in any other part of Bhutan.

Bumthang was introduced to Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century and was the home of the famous saints of the Nyingmapa school such as Longchen Rabjampa, Dorje Lingpa and Pema Lingpa. After remaining more or less independent for centuries, Bumthang was conquered by the Drukpas in the middle of the 17th century.

Upon arrival in Jakar transfer to the Bumthang Lodge.

Full day sightseeing in Bumthang will begin with a visit to Kurjey Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites as it is said to contain a rock with the imprint of Guru Rinpoche’s body. Continue on to Jambey Lhakang which is believed to have been built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The central figure of the temple is the Buddha of the Future, protected by an iron chain mail that was made by Pema Lingpa. The temple was visited by Guru Rinpoche during his visits to Bumthang and was renovated by the Sindhu Raja after the Guru restored his life force.

Afternoon visit to Tamshing Goemba, founded by Pema Lingpa in 1501, it is considered to be the most important Nyingma goemba in Bhutan. It is said that Pema Lingpa himself built this temple and that the inner walls of the structure reveal original and unestored images that were painted by Pema Lingpa.

Morning excursion to Membartsho or “Fire Lake,” a place where Pema Lingpa found several of Guru Rinpche’s hidden terma. The surroundings of the lake are covered with prayer flags and small clay offerings called tse tsa are left behind by the local worshippers.

Mid-day departure for Kunzangdrak, one of the most important sites related to Pema Lingpa himself. It is here where Pema Lingpa one lived and worked as a blacksmith and many of his most important sacred relics are kept here including a gilded stone bearing his footprint. Please note that the walk to Kunzandrak will take approximately 2 hours each way.

We will set up camp next to Khandroma Lhakhang where holy water seeps from the rock face above the structure.

Morning departure for Ura Valley the highest in Bumthang. Wide open spaces characterize the valley that sits in the shadow of the Thrumsing La, separating the East from the West of the kingdom. Ura village and its monastery are a charming stop before the climb to the east. Cobbled streets and a medieval feel give Ura a wonderfully unusual atmosphere. The old women of Ura still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and cushion. Upon arrival in Ura, we will continue by foot towards the old temple at Shingkar. It is said that the remains of Longchen Rabjampa are contained in this temple.

We will set up an overnight camp in Ura Valley.

Very early morning drive to Punakha. En route, the mountain road passes through deciduous forests and at Pele La (3500m-11,483ft.) where the entire area is blanketed by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Sloping down the contour of a ridge stands the many-leveled Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648. The dzong acts as a defensive fortress, stepping down into the valley and its bright golden yellow roof occupies most of the view from Trongsa. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the Royal Family. The Crown Prince of Bhutan traditionally becomes “Penlop” (Governor) of Trongsa before being crowned King.

Trongsa's location in the geographic center of the kingdom has enabled a “Penlop” (Governor) to effectively control the entire East and West of the country from there. Ta Dzong, or the watch tower which once guarded the Dzong from internal rebellion, stands impressively above the Dzong and provides visitor with more insight into the historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history. Upon arrival, transfer to the Zangdopelri Lodge. Time permitting, we will set out for a short walk to the temple of the Divine Madman or “Drukpa Kuenley.”

Early morning departure for a full day excursion to the spectacularly located “Taktsang” also known as Tiger’s Nest, and one of the most famous pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world which contains 13 holy places. It clings to sheer cliffs 3,000 feet above the valley and it gets its name form the story of its origin which states that, in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, who first introduced Buddhism to Bhutan when he arrived to Taktsang on the back of a tigress.

Optional morning departure for a day hike to Cheli La Pass which at a height of 3780m offers wonderful views of Jhomolhari Mountain as well as the Ha valley. We will have lunch at a small and rarely visited remote nunnery along the way.

Return to Bangkok and the Amari Airport Hotel.