National Textile Museum: Bhutan’s living art of thagzo (weaving) is one of the 13 arts and crafts practiced to this day. Learn to wear the national dress (gho for men and kira for women). The museum exhibits live weaving with major weaving techniques, styles and textiles made by different regions of Bhutan. 

Institute of traditional medicine: The Institute provides medical services, trains traditional doctors, and conducts research on Bhutan’s medicinal plants to identify the ingredients in centuries-old remedies and help develop new health products. The Institute has a library of recipes dating back to the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism around 1616.

Visit the Bhutan Postal museum, an introduction to Bhutan’s evolution through the communication and postal systems conveyed through anecdotes, artifacts and a rich assortment of stamps.

Craft Bazaar: The bazaar is specially dedicated to authentic arts and crafts from all over Bhutan. Browse through many hand crafted products from the 13 Bhutanese arts and crafts including colorful scrolls, textiles, and masks.

Buddha Dordenma: The massive statue of Shakyamuni measures 51.5 metres, making it one of the largest statues of the Buddha in the world. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue.

Drolma Zhingkham (Tara Abode) Lhakhang: we will drive toward Pangrizam to the 21 Tara Monastery, make offerings to the Goddess and sit in meditation under the giant cypress tree or in the Tara Room (depending on the weather).

Optional: Visit the School of Astrology and for an astrological consultation. 

Dochula: Get the cameras ready! Today we will take in the very dramatic views along the drive over the mountain pass of Dochu La (3050 m.) with its 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (stupa) and meditation caves. Depending on the weather, the view of the Himalayan ranges is spectacular from this point. 

Lamperi Botanical Park: A short drive down to Lamperi Botanical Park for a session of yoga and mediation at the park (weather permitting!).

Wolakha Nunnery: Above Wolakha on the way to Drolay Goemba is this thriving nunnery, which was financed by the fourth king’s father-in-law to serve as a Buddhist college for 120 resident anim (nuns). The ridgetop chorten is visible from as far away as the Dochu La to Metshina road. 

Punakha Dzong and Iron Bridge: This 17th century monument is considered the most beautiful dzong (fortress) in the country. The formal capital of Bhutan, home to the relics of Bhutan’s first ruler, Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, and the winter residence of the monastic order of Bhutan, Punakha Dzong sits on an island between the male and female glacial fed rivers. 

We’ll hike through paddy fields to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal, a beautiful temple recently built by the Bhutanese King’s mother as an act of devotion.

Chime Lhakhang: The legendary Chime Lhakhang is a sacred temple built in honour of the Divine Mad Man, Drukpa Kuenley. On a more profound level, the temple and its legendary icon exposes mediocrity and the hypocrisies of the mind which are often disguised as religious sanctity. 

Visit Sha Rinchengang, a traditional village or Nobgang the heritage village of the Royal Family.

Drive to Gangtey and visit Gantey Goenba. On the periphery of the massive Jigme Singye Wangchuck National park, named after the previous king of Bhutan (from 1972 to his abdication/retirement in 2006), and father of the current king.

Here we will stay with various local families in their Farm House for two nights!

Visit Gangtey Goenba dating back to 17th Century and the official seat of an ancient sect of Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery was recently renovated and displays one of Bhutan’s most ornate woodcarvings and paintings. 

From the heritage village of Gangtey, take a short hike down to the valley via Gangtey Nature Trail, through blue pine forests and meadows until the trail ends at the Black-necked Crane Centre for a brief introduction to the valley and its conservation efforts. 

Tonight, spend a night with a local farming host family in a farmhouse feasting on local cuisine, soak in a hotstone bath, and enjoy a day in the life of an average Bhutanese farmer in a rustic setting. 

Travel day – get the cameras out for the 5-hour drive to Paro!

We’ll bring our picnic breakfast along on the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Temple Complex (approximately 3 hours ascent and 2 hours descent), which is perched high on a cliff overlooking the picturesque Paro Valley. First built in 1692 at the site of a meditation cave, legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (the historical Padmasambhava, meaning lotus born) flew here on the back of a tigress. 

Visit the Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House and Guru lhakhang (1652) at the Kyichu Monastery complex, the site of an original temple established by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 CE. 

Optional: Sink into a traditional hot stone bath at the end of the day, or relax in Tshongdue’s many cafeterias and browse the handicraft shops 

Thimphu Tsechu: Join the locals of Thimphu in ghos and kiras (like the ones you tried on the first day!)to witness the annual Thimphu Tsechu festival (established in 1670 by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye) with masked and folk dances at the Tshichhodzong complex.

A special meditation session and teachings in the afternoon.