The Shangrila Cultural Tour (10 days)

DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO

Your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan Lha-Yul Tours & Travels will receive you upon arrival at Paro Airport (7,000ft) and drive you through the valley of Paro 

to the hotel. After refreshment, take a stroll around the town of Paro.

DAY 02 PARO

Drive to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. This Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day 

one can view the sacred Mount Chhomolari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft).

After lunch visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower, which has a fine collection of ancient Thangka painting, textiles, weapons 

and artifacts. Walk to the traditional wooden bridge.

DAY 03: PARO - EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG OR DRIVE TO CHELILA PASS

Drive to Ramthongkha and then hike to viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest (one and a half hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite 

cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery unfortunately got burnt in 1998 but it has recently been reconstructed.

OR

Drive to Chelila Pass where one can see beautiful mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in bloom. On the way back walk to Chila Nunnery.

DAY 04 PARO - THIMPHU

Drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to the capital of Bhutan - Thimphu.  Visit the Zangthopelri Lhakhang, the School of Thankha Painting 

and the Tashi Nincha folk studio where the traditional folk and mask dance are learned and praciticed. Afternoon, visit the Zelukha Nunnery, the TashiChho 

Dzong and the Handicraft Emporium.

DAY 05 THIMPHU - WANGDUE PHODRANG

In the morning, visit the Memorial Chorten and see also some gold and silversmiths at work.  After lunch drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass. Visit 

Punakha town and visit the Punakha Dzong if the monastic body has shifted to Thimphu for the summer. Evening drive to Wangdue town.

DAY 06 WANGDUE PHODRANG - TRONGSA

Visit the Wangdue town. After lunch drive to Trongsa over the Pelela Pass     (Alt 11,155 ft / 3,400 m) in the Black Mountain ranges, which seperates the 

western region from the other regions of the country.

DAY 07 TRONGSA - BUMTHANG

Visit to the outside premises of Trongsa Dzong one of the largest Dzongs in the country. Visit also the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) and stroll through the small 

Trongsa town. After lunch, drive to Bumthang Valley across the Yutola Pass.

DAY 08 BUMTHANG

Drive to Ura - one of the four valleys of Bumthang. Visit the village and explore the beautiful valley.Visit Ura Lhakhang and drive through the picturesque 

valley of Bumthang to see Kurje Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Kuenshusum Lhakhang.

DAY 09 BUMTHANG - THIMPHU

Drive to Thimphu. Enroute visit the Rukhubji village. Overnight in Thimphu.

DAY 10 THIMPHU - PARO - DEPARTURE

Early morning drive to Paro for departure. Your Bhutan Lha-Yul Tours & Travels escort will see you off at the airport.