Highlights of Bhutan
Day 1 Fri.	Depart Bangkok by air Arrive Paro The flight is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Mounts Everest and Kanchenjunga can be seen. Bhutan's first gift to you will be its cool, fresh air as you leave the aircraft. You will be received by our local representative in a traditional way and proceed to your hotel, an old palace converted in to a hotel in 1904. Hotel: GANGTEY PALACE
Day 2 Sat.	Paro sightseeing: Morning hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (tiger's nest). The climbup to the viewpoint will take around 3 hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8^th Century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the café walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch. In the afternoon visit Ta-dzong which was converted into the National Museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour. Drive to the Ringpung dzong, built in 17^th Century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks.
Day 3 Sun.	Paro - Thimphu. Drive to Thimphu (54 km.), the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 2 hours. Check in to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Memorial Stupa of the late King, built in 1974, the Indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine is still practiced, and the Painting School where children still learn the ancient art of painting. Hotel: TAKSANG or similar.
Day 4 Mon.	Thimpu - Punakha. Drive to Punakha (70 km.) via the Dochula Pass. An hours drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050 metres) where one can have a superb view of the mountain ranges on a clear day. Drive on to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. After lunch, visit the Punakha dzong (May-Oct) located on the island of Pho-chu (male) River and Mo-chu (female) River. Walk around the main street of Punakha and drive back to the hotel for overnight. Hotel: ZANGTOPELRI
Day 5 Tue.	Punakha - Thimphu Drive back to Thimphu via Wangdiphodrang, to see the panoramic view of the dzong and Valley Hotel: TAKSANG or similar
Day 6 Wed.	Morning: Witness the mask and folk dances at the Royal Academy of Performance and Afternoon: Drive to Paro for an overnight. Hotel: GANGTEY PALACE or similar.
Day 7 Thu.	Transfer to the airport Depart Paro by air Arrive Bangkok Depart Bangkok by air Arrive Hong Kong
This is a suggested itinerary only, which can be varied to suit individual requirements.