ITINERARY:
DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO
The flight from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air is a befitting introduction to Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Bhutan’s snow capped peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to Thimphu. Evening you will attend a dinner at a private house where you will meet Bhutanese dignitaries and enjoy the cultural dance show. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Today you can began your day with late breakfast. The sightseeing of the valley includes, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, established in 1988, to preserve the traditional healing methods and to develop the efficiency by taking advantage of the modern methods and equipment. You will visit next the School of Arts and Crafts, commonly known as the Painting School. This school offers an eight-year course, which provides the instruction in many of Bhutan’s traditional arts. Visit the National Library, established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Bhutanese texts. Return back to hotel for lunch. After lunch you will visit the Memorial Chorten, this large Tibetan –style stupa was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the Third King, Jigme Dorje Wangchuk. This four-story stupa houses various shrines inside. You will drive north to Motithang for a view of the Thimphu Valley. On your way back you will visit the small zoo which houses the Bhutan’s National animal, Takin. Drive to Drupthob Lhakhang (Nunnery Monastery). Return back to hotel for overnight.
DAY 03 THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding further to Punakha town we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong ( fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong had served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for about 300 years. After strolling through the town of Punakha drive to hotel for overnight.
DAY 04 PUNAKHA - TRONGSA
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang. We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.) With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. Lama Shida built this Chorten or Stupa in 18th century. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 05 TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
After breakfast we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. Next we will visit Taa Dzong, the ancient watchtower, overlooking the Dzong and the town. We will than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey, we will visit Domkhar Palace, this palace was used as the summer residence of 2nd king Jigme Wangchuk. Lunch will be served here in the open ground. We will make another stop at Tsungney village, where we will observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Continue our drive for an hour and arrive at the Chokhor Valley. Overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 06 SIGHTSEEING OF BUMTHANG
A bumpa is an oblong-shaped lustral water vase and Bumthang means (Bum - lustral water vase and Thang- Ground) ‘the ground shaped like a bumpa’. Bumthang is considered the holiest valley in Bhutan, many Bhutanese from all over the country visit here on pilgrim to pay their respect and to be blessed by the many holy sites where in ancient times various religious masters have meditated. Our sightseeing today will be followed in the style of Bhutanese tradition that is in clockwise. Your car will drop you at the Kurjey Lhakhang, it is believed that in the eighth century guru Padmasambhava had meditated here and subdued the local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Begin your hike from here crossing the suspension bridge and visit Padmasambhava Lhakhang. This is another Meditation site of Guru Padmasambhava. It was founded by Pema Lingpa in 15th century and was restored by the Grand Queen Mother of present King.
Continue your hike to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in beginning of the 16th century by Saint Pema Lingpa. Next you will visit Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in the 8th century, the Temple is famous for its bell, which bears an inscription from the eighth century. Drive back to the lodge and dress in warm cloth to attend the Mewang (fire blessing) ceremony in the evening. Bhutanese believe that by running under this pile of burning hay will bring blessings and burn away the sins you have created. Return back to your Lodge for overnight.
DAY 07 ATTEND THE FESTIVAL
After breakfast you will drive to Jambay Lhakhang and attend the festival. The day will be spend witnessing the masked dances and the fair around the monastery ground. Meet the local people and exchange information or make a life long friend. Evening drive to Trongsa for overnight.
DAY 08 BUMTHANG - TRONGSA
Today we will have day excursion to Kungarabten Palace. This place had served as the winter palace for 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk. We can take a walk up hill to visit the nunnery, which houses over 70 nuns. Evening drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09 TRONGSA – PHOBJIKHA - PUNAKHA
After breakfast begin your journey to Phobjikha through the winding road crossing the Pele La Pass into the huge open valley of Phobjikha at 3000 meters / 9840 ft. where the best potatoes of the nation is grown. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and the valley floor is quite marshy in places. For several years, the cultivation of potatoes has brought a certain degree of prosperity to the peasants. Phobjikha is also the chosen home of the rare black-necked crane which migrates from Tibet to escape its harsh winters. It is here that the largest monastery of Nyingma School in Bhutan is located. Its lineage seat holder is known as the Gangtey Tulku and is the ninth reincarnation of the Gangtey lineage. Your car will drop you at the monastery, from here you will hike down the valley enjoying the scenery and the cranes feeding on marshy dwarf bamboo meadows. Evening drive to Punakha, Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 10 PUNAKHA - PARO
After breakfast resume your journey to Paro. Crossing Dochula Pass you will arrive at Simtokha dzong, visit the old fortress, now used as the Institute for traditional studies for laymen and women. Continue your drive to Thimphu lunch will be served here. After lunch resume your journey to Paro, Visit National Museum. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11 FLY BACK TO BANGKOK |
