The three-day Bumthang 'cultural trek' is popular and provides more opportunities to visit villages and lhakhangs than other treks. Although a short trek, it is quite strenuous as it involves a climb to Phephe La (3360 m).

Day 1: Arrival Paro

Pick up from Paro Interational Airport (2280m) and drop to hotel. If time available visit Paro town in the afternoon.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit the National Museum housed in the Ta-Dzong which was built in 1656 and served as the watch tower of Paro Dzong in the past. Visit Paro Dzong, also called the Rinchen Phug Dzong, which means fortress on a heap of Jewels. Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs of Bhutan and was built in 1644. After lunch in town, proceed towards Drukgyel Dzong, 14 kilometres from the Paro town. Also known as the fortress of victory Drukgyel Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Return to the hotel. Dinner in hotel.

Day 3: Takshang Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive for about eight kilometres north of Paro town to visit Bhutan's most well known monastery, Taktshang or Tiger's Lair, perched on a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century flew to a cave in Taktshang on a tigress and mediated for three months. The trek to the monastery and back takes about four hours. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria near the monastry. In the afternoon drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan that is about 53 kilometres away. The drive takes about an hour and half. In the evening stroll around Thimphu and interact with the Bhutanese people. Dinner in hotel.

Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing:

Sightseeing in Thimphu (2320m) includes visits to : National Library which was established in 1967 and has many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts);Painting School or the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts and crafts like painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making;National Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 in memory of the third King of Bhutan;Semtokha Dzong which is about five kilometres south of Thimphu. Semtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Today it houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.); Tashichhodzong the seat of the government of Bhutan. It houses the secretariat, the Throne Room, His Majesty's secretariat, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. If the sight seeing falls on the weekend you can visit Thimphu's open vegetable market where farmers from the nearby regions gather to sell their produce. Evening is set aside for shopping in town.

Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha/Wangduephodrang

The first stop on this road journey is at Dochula pass at 3,140 meters. Dochula is about 23 kilometres from Thimphu and during a clear day it offers a clear view of the Himalayas. After refreshments in Dochula the journey continues to Punakha. Lunch will be served at the hotel. After lunch sightseeing in Punakha and Wangduephodrang Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 and was the former capital of Bhutan. It lies at the confluence of the Mo Chu (female river) and the Pho Chu (male river). Punakha Dzong still serves at the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. Wangduephodrang is about 21 kilometres from Punakha and its dzong, built in 1638, sits on the top the high ridge. The ridge provides a panoramic view of the valley. Return to hotel where dinner will be served.

Day 6: Wangduephodrang/Punakha to Trongsa

After breakfast drive to Trongsa. Trongsa is 129 kilometres from Wangduephodrang. Check-in hotel.

Day 7: Trongsa sightseeing, drive to Bumthang

After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong, one of Bhutan¹s oldest historical, political and religious monuments also known as Druk Minjur Chhoekhor Rabtentse Dzong. Built 463 years ago, Trongsa dzong sits high on a ridge overlooking the Mangde Chhu (river) and represents an important link with Bhutan¹s precious institution of monarchy. It was the dzong where future Kings formalised their ascension as Chhoetse Penlop before ascending the Golden Throne. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's investituture ceremony as the Chhoetse Penlop in Trongsa Dzong took place on October 30, 2004. Visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower of the Trongsa Dzong. The chapel inside the tower is dedicated to the Jigme Namgyal, the 19th century Trongsa penlop (governor). After the lunch drive to Bumthang, 68 kilometres away. It is one of the easier and scenic drives as it passes through many villages and monasteries as the highway enters the Bumthang valley. Check in hotel.

Day 8: Bumthang Sightseeing

After the breakfast Visit Jakar Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan. It has a circumference of 1500 metres. Visit the Kurje Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastry and the Swiss Farm. Check in Hotel.

Day 09: Jakar - Nagang Lhakhang

Walking time around six hours. The walk from Jakar to Nagang Lhakhang is an easy and relaxed one. The trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu river and passes through many villages and temples. The camp for the night is at a village at an altitude of 2900 meters.

Day 10: Ngang Lhakang ­ Ugyenchholing

Walking time 7-8 hours. The trail ascends gradually through forests of juniper up to the Phephe la pass at 3340 meters. From the pass the trail descends to Tang Valley and to Ugyenchholing village at 2850 meters.

Day 11: Ugenchholing- Jakar, visit Membartsho Lake

The morning walk goes to Ugyenchholing dzong and the surrounding village, then drive to Jakar following the Tang chu river upto the junction on the east-west highway. En route to Jakar, visit the Membartsho Lake, where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of guru Padmasambava, is supposed to have discovered religious treasures in the 12th century. This lake is very sacred and is visited by many Bhutanese during auspicious days to offer butter lamps. Overnight at lodge.

Day 12: Bumthang to Gangtey

After breakfast drive to Gangtey Goempa in Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Goempa overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha valley, a glacial valley on the western slopes of the black mountain range. The valley is an important wildlife centre in Bhutan and is the roosting ground of the endangered blacked necked cranes that fly there from the Tibtean plateau during the winter grounds there. Overnight in hotel.

Day 13: Gangtey to Paro via Thimphu

Drive to Paro after the breakfast. Lunch on the way in Thimphu. Overnight halt at Paro.

Day 14: Departure