Depart for Bumthang Valley, flight time is 35 minutes. Start your cultural experience of Bumthang's Jakar valley by visiting Tamshing Lhakang, a temple built by the Buddhist Saint Pema Lingpa, which contains some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan. After lunch you can continue your exploration of Bumthang by visiting Jambay Lhakang built in the 7th century by King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet and along with Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro (which you will have visited) is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. You will continue down the valley to Kurje Lhakhang, a 17th Century temple that is part of a complex of temples of great historical importance. This Lhakhang holds the imprint of Guru Rinpoche, the revered Buddhist saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and much of the Himalayas. After your visit to Kurje you will return to the hotel for the evening. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Start your day by visiting Wangdue Chhoeling Palace, the birthplace of Bhutan’s Monarchy. As the birthplace of the first king of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo (King) Ugyen Wangchuck, the Wangduechhoeling Palace serves as an important landmark in the history of the monarchy in Bhutan. In addition to its historical importance, the palace is also an extraordinary example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, painting, and craftsmanship that continues to influence Bhutanese architecture today. After visiting the Palace, you will visit Jakar Dzong. The Jakar Dzong is one of the largest and most impressive dzongs in Bhutan and houses the administrative and monastic offices for the Bumthang district. Afternoon is open to visit the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and the Environment (UWICE), which is considered the premier institute for research and training in forestry and environmental science for Bhutan and the Asian region. Late afternoon is open to relax or embark on a leisurely walk in Jakar Valley. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Begin your journey westward to Phobjikha Valley (Via Trongsa). Drive time today is about 5 hours. Upon arrival, visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Ta Dzong, which has been made into a museum covering the history of the monarchy of Bhutan. Trongsa Dzong: Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending the throne. The dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Because of the dzong’s highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the Trongsa Penlop was able to control effectively the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from here. Ta Dzong: This watchtower, which once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands on a promontory above the town. It was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the 1st Governor of Trongsa in 1652. It has four observation points resembling Tiger, Lion, Garuda, and Dragon. Climb up the path to visit Ta Dzong, which now houses a shrine dedicated to the epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. A visit to this former watchtower provides visitors with an insight into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history. From Trongsa, continue your journey to Phobjikha Valley, crossing the Pele La Pass (11,250 feet) where on a clear day you can see Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakye and Mt. Kang Bum, three of Bhutan’s prominent peaks. From Pele La Pass, Phobjikha Valley is a short distance away. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Start your morning hiking the Gantey Nature trail, followed by a visit to the Black necked Crane Centre. Prior to departing for Punakha, visit the Gantey Goenpa (monastery) founded in 1613. The current Gantey Tulku is the 9th reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, the famous Buddhist saint from whom the Royal Family is descended. Begin your journey to Punakha by heading across Lawa La pass, then descend for about three hours into the Punakha valley. Prior to arriving in Punakha, visit Chimmi Lhakhang - Temple of the Divine Madman. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Start your day with gradual walk by crossing the Mo Chhu (Female River) over a local suspension bridge - after crossing the river, walk through paddy fields, as you begin your gradual hike, for about an hour, to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, this temple is dedicated for her son Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and for the wellbeing of the Kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings. Khamsum Yulley stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-story temple. It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Lunch in town, followed by a visit to the Punakha Dzong, the most spectacular Dzong in Bhutan, built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Female River) and Pho Chhu (Male River) in 1637. This huge fortress/monastery was the national capital until 1966 and is the place where the country’s kings have been crowned and the site for the 5th King’s Royal Wedding in Oct. 2011. After visiting Punakha Dzong, take a walk on the Mendagang suspension bridge, Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Enroute, stop by Dochula Pass (10,100 ft) - this pass is a popular location among visitors as it offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Bhutanese Himalayan range. The view is especially scenic on clear day with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (Stupas) gracing the mountain pass. The eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, commissioned the 108 Chortens.

Optional Hike: From Dochula Pass, you will begin your hike of the day to the Lungchuzekha Monastery - a beautiful three to four hours round trip walk (about 4.5 miles) through rhododendron forests, offering fascinating view of the Himalayas and the Punakha Valley below from the Monastery. From Dochula, you will then descend into the Thimphu Valley passing by the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Start your day with a hike (about an hour) to the historic Cheri Monastery; built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1620, this is where the first community of monks in Bhutan was established. Upon return from your hike, visit many of Thimphu’s cultural sites. The Royal Textile Academy - weaving is an integral component of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. With the aim to preserve and promote this living art, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan was instituted in May 2005. The Buddha Dordenma Statue, this massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Visit the Centenary Farmers Market; located below the main town, near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu’s weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Depart Thimphu early morning (by 7am) for your journey to Taktsang (Tigers Nest). The drive from Thimphu to the base of Taktsang is just over an hour. From the base to Taktsang monastery will take about 2.5 to 3 hours at a very moderate pace. Taktsang Monastery is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This monastery is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 2,900 feet above the Paro Valley. At about an altitude of 10,100 ft, Taktsang was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche (learned reincarnate monk) meditated in the 7th century A.D. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site. Afternoon is open to explore Paro town for some last-minute handicraft shopping. Overnight Hotel. (B,L,D)

Depart for Paro airport to catch your onward flight back home.