Day
01: Arrive Paro,Paro-Thimphu
The flight to
Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can
see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks
in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt. Tsherimgang.
The green wall of hills known as the doors, or gateways into Bhutan
from the plains climbs continually higher as down the forested mountainsides,
and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas
rise up to the sky. You will be received by the representative of
Bhutan All Seasons Tours & Treks who will be your guide throughout
your tour.
Check into the
hotel. After the refreshment, visit to the National Museum, housed
in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts
provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage
of the Kingdom.
Walk down to Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture.
From the Dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever
bridge.
Drive to Thimphu,
the capital town of Bhutan. The road runs down through the Paro valley,
to Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the valley, where the Paro
and Thimphu rivers meet. The road passes along a narrow valley with
high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the valley opens out into
farmland on the approach to Thimphu. Simtokha Dzong, “the place
of profound tantric teaching”, stands sentinel on a hillock
a few kilometers out of town. This dzong now houses the Institute
for Language and Culture Studies.Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02:Thimphu
Sightseeing
In the morning,visit
National Library where a vast collection of ancient manuscripts is
preserved. Visit the School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts
where children are taught the traditional art of woodcraft and painting.
Then visit Folk Heritage Museum, which is loated in the same area,
and further down to the Textile Museum.
After lunch,
visit Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”.
This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s
throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641
by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese
manner, without nails or architectural plans. Also visit the National
Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated by the faithful, murmuring
mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark
was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who had wished
to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974
after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late
King and as a monument to peace.
Then, visit the
government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse
through examples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you
can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics,
slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items made
from local materials.
Overnight at
the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03:
Thimphu -Trongsa
After breakfast,
drive toTrongsa through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have
a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular
and you can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon.
Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty
Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the
King of Bhutan.
Drive ontoWangdue
through metshina village.Drive further throught Pelela pass towards
Trongsa with a picnic lunch at Chendebji Chorten. Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 04:
Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast,
visit Trongsa Dzong, the main administration center during the second
kings’s reign and it is also known for its masterpiece of Bhutanese
architecture.Then visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this
dzong. After lunch, drive to Bumthang, the religious heartland of
the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Bumthang consists
of four valleys--Chumey, Choekhar, Tang, and Ura--with altitudes varying
from 2,600 to 4,000 meters. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang Jakar.
Day 05:Bumthang
Sightseeing
Sightseeing includes
visit to the following:
Jambay Lhakhang,
built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In
his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of
108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms.
Chakhar Lhakhang. Besides the main road, a short distance beyond Jambay
Temple is Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang. Although it is easy to mistake
it for a house and drive right by, this is an interesting temple and
is worth a short visit. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by
him to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, "Body imprint"). The temple
to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652.
It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and
left his body imprint.
Tamshing Lhakhang. This temple is also known as Tamshing Lhendrup
Chholing (Temple of the Good Message).
Jakar Dzong, "castle of the white bird". According to legend,
when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery,
a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of
a hill. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was
chosen as the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong. The fortress
is now used as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence
of Trongsa monks.
In the evening stroll around the beautiful landscape of the Bumthang
Jakar valley. Dinner and overnight in Bumthang.
Day 06:Bumthang
- Wangdue Via Gangtey
Drive to Gangtey
(95 kms - 4 hours drive). 11Gangtey is situated in Phubjikha valley,
which the winter home of endangered Black-Necked Cranes that migrate
to this valley from Central Asia in winter.
Picnic lunch at Gangtey.
Drive to Wangdue.
Overnight at Wangdue
Day 07: Wangdue - Punakha - Thimphu
Visit Wangdue
Dzong, situated on a ridge overlooking a river junction. In the 17th
century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying the western, central
and southern regions of the country. Also visit the local market.
Drive to Punakha,
the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the
central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island
of the Pho - Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit
the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple.
After lunch ,
walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through
the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang,
famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can can receive
a special fertility blessing.Drive to Thimphu and overnight at hotel
in Thimphu.
Day 08
: Thimphu Short Hike
After breakfast,
drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery.
Tango is the center for higher studies for monks. The hike up will
take approximately 45 minutes. Walk down to the base camp and then
walk up to the Cheri Monastry which again takes about 45 minutes to
experince the complete serenity. Drive back to Thimphu and evening
free to relax / stroll around Thimphu town. Overnight at hotel in
Thimphu.
Day 09
: Thimphu-Paro
In the morning
drive to Paro, visiting Simtokha Dzong en route. This dzong, built
in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for
Language and Culture Studies.
Sight Seeing
in Paro Valley.
Visit to “Drukgyel
Dzong”- the fortress now in ruins which was built as the monument
of victory. On a clear day, Mount Jhomolhari can be seen.
Sight Visit to Courtyard of Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries
in Bhutan
Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 10
:Paro Excursion to Taktsang Or Dirve to Chelila Pass
Drive to Ramthongkha
and then hike to viewpoint of Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest (one and
a half hours). The monastery is situated on a cliff of about 3000
ft above the vlley.
OR
Drive to Chelila
Pass where you can see beautiful mountain ranges and rhododendron
flowers in bloom. On the way back walk to Chila Nunnery
Day
11 : Paro - Departure
After breakfast,drive
to the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.