ITINERARY:
DAY 01 BANGKOK TO PARO BHUTAN
Fly from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air (Bhutan National Airline). From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to Thimphu, the capital city. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Visit King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns), continue your drive to National Library, the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, the traditional incense factory. After lunch you will visit Lungtenzampa to observe the traditional silver smiths plying at their crafts and tour the Bhutanese traditional paper factory. Visit the handicraft emporium and other places of interest. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 DRIVE TO PUNAKHA & ATTEND FESTIVAL
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). Continue your drive to Punakha Dzong (Fortress) and attend the on going festival. This festival is celebrated annually by the people of Punakha known as Dromchoe and is dedicated to two main protector deities of Bhutan, Yeshi Gompo (Mahakala) and Palden Lhamo (Female Deity). The festival is not a pageant or entertainment but a serious religious ceremony that is performed to seek the protection and happiness of themselves and all sentient beings.
DAY 04 SIGHTSEEING OF PUNAKHA AND WANGDUE VALLEY
After breakfast drive to Lobesa and take a 30-minute walk to 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. Return back to the highway and drive to Wangdue, enroute another short walk to Rinchengang Village, This small clustered village is popularly known for their skill in the stonemasonry work throughout the country. Drive to Wangdue and visit the small town, your lunch will be served here. After lunch, you will walk along the riverside to observe the varieties of ducks that migrate here during winter. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 05 PUNAKHA FESTIVAL
After breakfast drive to Punakha town and observe the procession ceremony. This procession is to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invading troops in the 17th century. Afternoon sightseeing of the valley. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 06 PUNAKHA - PHOBJIKHA - TRONGSA
After breakfast you will begin your journey to Gangtey Monastery, it is about 3 hrs drive from the hotel. This village known as the Phobjikha Valley is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Kingdom. It is also the home to the rare black-necked crane that migrates from Tibet in the winter. Your car will drop you at the Monastery where you will visit the surrounding village and the monastery. You will then walk downhill to the valley floor where you will see the beautiful cranes dancing in the marshy ground while some are feeding themselves on the bamboo roots. The car will meet you at the valley and resume your drive to Trongsa. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 07 TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
The drive from Trongsa will take approximately two hours, you will stop at Zungney village, here you will find many weavers with their scarves tied on their heads in the Bumthang style, they weave woolen Yathra on a pedal loom as well as belts on back strap looms. Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys-Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. Nestled in the barley fields and apple groves, Bumthang has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprising of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual regions of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Bumthang is also the traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa. Almost whole day will be spend here visiting the places of interest. Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 08 BUMTHANG – TRONGSA
After breakfast drive to Trongsa from the same route you came. This drive will take you about 2 hrs. Your first stop will be at Prakar village. Hike to the village visit the Prakar Temple, hike around the village and experience the rural life of Bhutan. Continue your drive for about ten minutes and stop at Tsungney village. You will see here several of weavers busy plying on their task. Visit the nearby Zungney temple believed to be built in 7th century. Continue your drive for another half an hour and visit Domkhar Dzong. This Dzong was built in 1937 as the summer Palace of the second King. Have your packed lunch here outside the Dzong and enjoy the breathtaking view of the valley. Continue your drive for another 20 minutes and stop at the village of Gyetsa, stroll around the village. Continue your drive, you will be dropped few kilometers before reaching Trongsa, from here you will hike downhill enjoying the air and scenery and also visit Taa Dzong the ancient watch tower. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09 TRONGSA – PUNAKHA
After breakfast you will visit the ancient tower overlooking the Trongsa valley. Visit the small Temple of Gesar, the hero of a great epic, however, be prepared, that you will have to climb the ladder like steps that takes you to the Temple. Stroll the small town of Trongsa and after lunch resume your journey back to Punakha retracing the road you had come into Trongsa. There will be several stops for you to take picture of the landscape etc. Overnight at Hotel
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, en route visit the 15th Century Tamchogang Temple. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11 PARO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast visit, Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Drive south and stop at the Taktsang Monastery view point, from here you will get birds eye view of the monastery. Continue your drive to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. Return to hotel for your lunch, after lunch the sightseeing will be in the Paro market and visit the nearby village to get insight of Bhutanese village life. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 12 DEPART PARO BHUTAN |
