Bhutan - Gantey Valley – 8 Days

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Fly Kathmandu – Paro: 2380m/7382ft: Lunch at Paro (Full Board)
Arrive by Druk air BAE 146-100 series, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful mountain and landscape. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by representative of Basanta Adventure. Afternoon/evening: time at leisure. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 02: Paro Sightseeing: 2380m/7382ft: Lunch at Paro (Full Board)
Today you’ll visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the Dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stroll around the market and return to Kichu Resort. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 03: Thimpu Sightseeing: 2317m/7600ft, 65km – 2 hours drive: Lunch at Thimpu (Full Board)
Drive to Thimpu will take 2 hours and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained road through out Bhutan. Upon arrival check into Hotel Druk or River view. PM sightseeing - Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimpu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. O/N at Hotel Riverview OR similar in Thimpu (AP)

Day 04: Drive to Wangduephodrang and sightseeing: 3100m/10168ft, 70km – 3 hours drive: Lunch at

Wangduephodrang (Full Board)
Visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM drives 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt. Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong from outside and the market area. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort OR similar in Wangduephodrang (AP)

Day 05: Visit to Gangtey Valley. Then drive to Paro: 2800m/9184ft, Lunch at Gangtey (Full Board)
Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa Valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make load noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 06: Sightseeing tour of Punakha Dzong: 2380m/7382ft: Lunch at Thimpu (Full Board)
Drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimpu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 07: Day excursion to Taktsang Monastery: 3000m/9840ft, 10 km – 4 hour walk: (Full Board)
Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 08: Transfer to airport
You will be driven to the airport in time to catch your flight back