Upon arrival at Delhi International airport, meet by travel-to-nature Asia representative and transfer to your hotel. Pleaselook out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Delhi is a metropolis that has to be seen and experienced to be fully understood. Rich and poor, old and new are closer together here than anywhere else. You could walk around Delhi for weeks and still not have explored every corner of the city.

Depending upon your arrival time in Delhi we can visit (optional) Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, drive past Government buildings including President’s Palace.

Overnight in Delhi.

Accommodation

The Surya

Meals

Maximum Altitude

Transfer to airport and fly to Paro. Weather permitting, you will have a breathtaking view of the fascinating Eastern Himalayan mountains. You will be met at Paro International Airport and transferred to hotel.

After lunch we visit the Buddhist monastery fortress of Paro-Rinpung Dzong. We cross a beautiful wooden bridge covered with shingles, flanked on each side by a guard house and walk up to Rinpung Dzong. This impressive fortress was built in 1645 and is still both a religious centre (home to a monastic school) and the seat of the district administration. The central watchtower is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its magnificent woodwork. Overnight in Paro.

Accommodation

Tashi Namgay Resort/Metta Resort/Mandala Resort/Khangkhu Resort or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

2,250 m

A very special event today will be a visit to the Buddhist monastery festival, Paro Tshechu in Paro. It is the most popular religious festival in Bhutan. You will be able to admire colourful costumes and fascinating masks at the numerous dances. It is the best way to experience the ancient culture of Bhutan that is still alive today. Overnight in Paro.

Paro Tshechu (festival): It is held in Paro for a period of four to five days and falls in spring (Mar-Apr) every year. Like any other festivals in Bhutan, the Paro Tshechu revolves around the life story of Guru Padmasambava. However, one unique aspect of the festival is the portrayal and worship of other important Buddhist deities.

Tsechus are celebrated for several days, between three and five according to the location, and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. The dances are performed by monks, laymen or gomchens and the repertory is the same practically everywhere.

For the Bhutanese, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and to gain merit. They are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen; for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewels; they take out picnics rich with meat and abundant alcohol. Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humor prevails. The details and the meaning of the each dance performed will be explained to you by your guide.

Accommodation

Tashi Namgay Resort/Metta Resort/Mandala Resort/Khangkhu Resort or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

2,250 m

After breakfast, a morning transfer to the nearby airport. A domestic flight with a fantastic view of the sacred mountains of Bhutan takes us to the religious centre of the kingdom – Bumthang. Around noon we arrive at our hotel in Jakar, where we also have lunch.

In the afternoon we visit the Dzong, which stands on a small hill above the town. From here we walk down to the village of Jakar. There are a few cafés and local handicrafts shops. We spend three nights in Bumthang and explore local places of interest. Overnight in Bumthang

Accommodation

Hotel Gongkhar/Mountain Resort/Kaila Guest House or similar

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

2,600 m