12D11N Royal Highlander Festival and Cultural Adventure of Bhutan

# Confirmation:
- You will receive a confirmation email and voucher instantly after booking
- In the event that you do not receive an email from us, please check your Spam folder or notify us via email

# Itinerary:

## Day 1: Paro: First Glimpse of Bhutan
- Arrive at Paro International Airport
- Get picked up from the airport and ride an air-conditioned vehicle
- Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels
- Visit the National Museum
- Drive to Thimphu (approximately 1 hour)
- Visit Changlimithang National Stadium to witness an archery match/tournament in progress
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu

## Day 2: Thimphu Valley
- Visit the Memorial Chorten/Stupa, a congregation of devout Bhutanese circumambulating the 3-storied stupa
- See the Buddha Dordenma, a 51.5 meter bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue gilded in gold
- Enjoy a 1-hour hike around Buddha Statue
- Visit Changangkha Lhakhang/Temple, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu
- Drop by the Jungshi handmade Paper factory to witness traditional paper making
- Visit Takin Reserve and get a chance to witness the national animal of Bhutan with the head of a goat and body of a cow
- Stroll and shop in the craft bazaar, a single line of shops selling authentic made handicrafts
- Visit Tashichhodzong/Fortress of the Auspicious Religion and the Office of the Golden Throne of the Dragon King
- Visit the weekend centenary farmers market
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu

## Day 3: Thimphu - Wangdue and Punakha
- Drive to Punakha Valleys (2.3 hours)
- Visit Dochula Pass and enjoy the spectacular views of the Himalayan Ranges (3,150 meters)
- Witness the 108 chortens/stupas of Druk Wangyel Lhakhang/Temple of Victory
- Drive to Lobesa Market
- Visit the Chime Lhakhang/Temple of Fertility, which is an approximately 20-minute walk through the paddy fields and village
- Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (a nunnery) and enjoy views of the Wangdue and Punakha valleys
- Interact with nuns
- Overnight at a hotel/farmhouse in Punakha

## Day 4: Punakha Valley - Gasa Valley
- Enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the farm house with the view of the Wangdue and Punakha valleys
- Drive to Gasa Valley (3-4 hours)
- Hike to the campsite (3-4 hours)
- Rest and relax at the campsite
- Drive back to Punakha
- Overnight stay at a farmhouse in Punakha


## Day 5: Tongchu Zam - Laya Village
- After breakfast, you'll head to Laya village
- Trek up to Laya Village and enjoy the majestic snowcapped Himalayan ranges (4-5 hours)
- Visit some traditional farmhouses and interact with the locals
- Overnight stay at a farmhouse in Laya


## Day 6: First Day of The Royal Highlander Festival
- Enjoy the sunrise with the majestic view of Himalayan ranges
- Attend the festival at the festival grounds
- Overnight at a farmhouse in Laya

## Day 7: Second Day of The Royal Highlander Festival
- Attend the festival at the festival grounds
- Walk around the valley and interact with the locals
- Enjoy the traditional songs and dances
- Watch animal parades of Yaks, horses, and highland dogs
- Try out various local dishes
- Overnight stay at a farmhouse in Laya

## Day 8: Excursion of Laya Valley - Tongchu Zam
- Excursion of Laya
- Hike to Tongchu Zam (4-5) hours
- Excursion of a nearby village
- Stroll through the valley
- Overnight at a farmhouse in Tongchu Zam

## Day 9: Tongchu Zam - Punakha Valley
- After breakfast, drive to Punakha Valley (3-4 hours)
- Visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten and go for a 2-hour leisurely hike through the paddy fields and pine trees
- Visit the Punakha Dzong/Fortress/Palace of Great Bliss
- See the Iron Suspension Bridge – longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan
- Overnight at a hotel in Punakha

## Day 10: Punakha - Thimphu - Paro Valley
- Drive to Paro (3.3 hours)
- Cross the Dochula Pass
- Visit Semtokha Dzong/Fortress atop a Demon, the first fortress built in 1629
- Enroute Tachogang Lhakhang/Temple, dedicated to the great Yogi Thangtong Gyelpo, "The Iron Bridge Builder"
- Visit the Iron Suspension Bridge followed by a visit to the Kyichu Lhakhang/Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century
- Enjoy a Bhutanese cooking experience, learn some cooking tips, and make your own meal with local ingredients
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro

## Day 11: Tiger's Nest
- Enjoy one hour massage at Taktsang Boutique Resort u0026 Spa, located at the base of Tiger’s Nest monastery
- Hike to the Taktsang Monastery/Tiger's Nest (3-hours uphill climb and 2
hours downhill)
- Experience a traditional hot stone bath
- Play/practice a game of traditional archery
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro

## Day 8: End of the Adventure
- Enjoy breakfast
- Check out and get dropped off at the Paro International Airport (end of the adventure)

# Additional Information:
- Children aged 0-5 can join this adventure for free so long as they're accompanied by paying parents or guardians and provided they do not occupy an additional seat
- Participants aged 6+ will be charged the same rate as adults
- This activity isn't suitable for persons with mobility issues
- There will be free WiFi in most hotel rooms and lobbies
- The activity fees include royalties to the government and for the Bhutan Tourism Development
- All hotels are approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan; they only cater to tourists
- **Please note:** the operate will coordinate further with you to reconfirm the details of the itinerary, your pick up time from the airport, etc.
- **Please plan your flights first before booking this activity**