ITINERARY
Day 1: Paro ~ Thimphu
Today you have arrived at beautiful Paro International Airport. During the flight
one will experience breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the sacred
Mount Jumolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. Received at airport by your tour
representative and escorted to hotel for lunch and check-in. After lunch visit
the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it
was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory
overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. On the way back visit the Paro
Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge
with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today the
Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the
monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, features intricate
and beautiful superb woodwork.
Evening: Drive to Thimphu (2-hour drive) Capital of Bhutan. Overnight: Hotel
Day 2: Thimphu Touring
After breakfast we visit the Bank of Bhutan to exchange currency as
well as stop at the post office. Here are elaborate and unique Bhutanese
stamps; a must for stamp collector and beautiful in each and every
Bhutanese design. Today we will also visit the Memorial Chorten;
Bhutan's national animal, the Takin and enjoy local archers
at play; Bhutan holds gold in the Olympic Games for Archery, an ancient
art in Bhutan. After our lunch at the hotel we tour the
exceptional Textile Museum, featuring masterpieces from the Royal
Family of Bhutan and splendid fabric and exquisite Thangkas. We will
visit The National Library which houses ancient and medieval document
and script. A tour of the unique paper factory offers the finest
handmade paper you will see anywhere. Tonight your host in Bhutan,
Sonam welcomes you for a reception dinner. Overnight: Hotel
Day 3: Thimphu ~ Punakha/Wangdue ~ Gangtey (Black Neck Crane
Roost)
Enjoy breakfast and then we depart onwards to Punakha and Wangduephodrang
across Dochula pass (10,500 ft). On a clear day you can enjoy a spectacular
view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Lunch at Lobesa. After
lunch visit the Punakha Dzong; former winter capital and present administrative
seat of the district and also, the winter residence of the central
monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers,
the Pochu and Mochu, male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 AD.
After Punakha Dzong drive to Gangtey in the Phobjikha valley 60 Km/
2 hours. This is a scenic drive through dense forests of oak trees
and rhododendrons; Bhutan is the least deforested county in the world;
70 % of Bhutan is covered with virgin Blue Pine forest.
Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of Black
Mountain national park. The valley is a designated conservation area
and borders the Black Mountain National Park. Because of the large
flock of black-necked cranes that winter here (from late October to
late March), it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in
the country. Along the way, look for nocturnal red pandas that sleep
in the trees during the day. At the valley’s center, rising dramatically
from a small ridge, stands Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma
Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. Gantey Tulku Rimpoche, the head lama
of Gantey Gompa, is the ninth incarnation of Terton Pemalingpa, the
famous 14th-century Treasure Revealer from Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s
famous Buddhist saints and an ancestor of the ruling Wangchuck dynasty.
Visit the Gangtey monastery overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha
Valley. The extensive complex consists of the Gomba itself, the monks’ quarters,
meditation centers, and schools. Overnight: Hotel in Phobjikha
Day 4: Gangtey ~Trongsa ~ Bumthang
Visit the Information Centre for the Black-Necked Cranes, maintained
by the Royal Society for the Protection Nature. The Black Neck Crane
roost in the swampy marshland can be viewed from the Observatory
overlooking the fields. View these magnificent birds in their winter
nesting home. These endangered birds fly south from Siberia each
fall to winter in the marshlands of Phobjikha. The calls of the Black-Necked
Crane locally known as Thrung Thrung Karm, have inspired folklore
for generations. The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature and
the Phobjikha Community are now working together to protect the habitat
of endangered Black Necked Cranes. To injure one of these magnificent
birds is to be imprisoned for life.
Depart towards Trongsa. The drive from Phobjikha to Trongsa takes
about two and half hours. Our route crosses Pele La (11,155 feet),
which is marked by a chorten and an array of prayer flags. If the weather
is clear we should see Jhomolhari (23,684 feet) and other peaks from
the pass, which marks the boundary between western and central Bhutan
as well as the western border of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
Beyond Pele La is Longte Valley where people raise sheep and yaks.
We'll come to the village of Rukubji Valley, with its big school and
Gompa. The houses here are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard,
potatoes, barley, and wheat. As we drive down through rhododendrons
and ferns, we’ll reach Chendebji village. This was a night halt
for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the reign of the 2nd
King of Bhutan. Just below Chendebji village is the Chendebji chorten,
a large white structure beside a stream. This chorten is modeled after
Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century.
The last village before we reach Trongsa is Tangsibji, which affords
us a full view of Trongsa Dzong and its distinctive yellow roof. Built
in 1648 AD it is presently the administrative seat of the district
and the home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow
spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. The view from here extends
for many miles and in the old days, it was a vigilance point for both
the eastern and western routes; thus the strategic importance of this
Dzong. Continue onwards to central Bhutan. Today is a long day of driving
to reach our destination tonight in Jakar. We will take ample breaks
and rest stops and tour medieval Dzong’s along our route.
Tonight we overnight at a local Lodge in Jakar valley in Bumthang;
Bhutanese family hospitality at its finest!
Day 5: Jakar ~ Tang valley
Drive to the road head in Tang Valley (1 hour) and walk about 40 minutes
to attend Chojam Rabney Festival; a unique local festival presided
over by Chojam Lam, a Tibetan re-incarnate lama. Masked dancers whirl
in medieval religious purification dance and evoke blessings on all
who attend. You are transported and enchanted. You will be captivated
by clapping cymbal, drum, horn and the unforgettable chanting of
Buddhist monks who perform religious dance of purification. Array
of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and
dance the "thunderbolt step". Overnight stay
in guest house at Ugyenchholing .
Day 6: Tang- Jakar
In the morning we visit the family Museum at Ugyenchholing Dzong, a
very unique "Family Museum" not to be missed. Return to the
festival. Besides the regular mask and folk dancers, the local people
also do a special yak dance symbolizing the local deity. Meet Chojam
Lam to discuss Buddhism. We also will visit a local schoolhouse
and delight in Bhutanese children at study. English is mandatory in
all Bhutan’s school. Drive back to Bumthang village.
Overnight at Lodge.
Day 7: Bumthang Touring
Enjoy breakfast and get ready to explore Bumthang village. Meet with
textile weavers at looms as they weave their Bhutanese fabric and
textile on toe strap looms with hand spun and dyed threads. Here
is the best place for purchase of textile. Tour historical Jakar
Dzong, Palace of the White Bird, as well as Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhang.
We enjoy a short walk to Flaming Lake to visit this religious and
holy pilgrimage spot; photo stops along the way. Visit a Stone flour
grist water mill and a beer and cheese factory. .Return to lodge
for relaxation and dinner and overnight. Enjoy local homemade beverage;
Arak!
Day 8: Bumthang ~ Wangdue
Depart Bumthang proceeding west towards Wandgue for our overnight at
hotel. Camera stops along the way: look for yaks! Tonight we will
visit the courtyard of the impressive Wangdue Dzong perched high
on a hilltop overlooking the rivers and valley below.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 9: Wangdue –Thimphu
Early morning drive to Thimphu. On our return we visit the Semtokha
Dzong. We now check into our hotel for rest and a hearty Bhutanese
lunch. This afternoon we drive to the path to embark on a vigorous
hike up the mountain to Tango Gomba Monastery. Tango is one of Bhutanese'
most important Buddhist colleges. Its name, meaning 'horse's head',
is derived from the horse-head shaped rock at the top. It is a beautiful
Dzong built in the 18h century by the 8th Desi, Druk Rabgye. Today
Tango is home to the eight-year-old reincarnate Lama, Gyaltse Tenzin
Rabgye. Meet with senior monks for discussions.
Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day 10: Thimphu Leisure
This is your Leisure day for shopping and exploring Thimphu and its
hidden wonders. Bookshops, handicraft boutiques, House of Incense,
Mask and Thangka art Gallery are all most interesting and enjoyable
to visit. Perhaps, you might desire a purchase of a Bhutanese traditional
Goa or Kira; ask your guide to assist you in your explorations and
enjoyment. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day 11: Thimphu Market- Tigers Nest Monastery
Leisure breakfast and we now attend the famous Thimphu weekend market,
a must in Bhutan. The marketplace is alive with fresh and organic
fruits, rice, chilies, wonderful textiles, handicrafts, art and jewelry
and so much fun! One of my very favorites…Bring the camera,
there are many Kodak moments here. Check out of hotel after lunch
and we now begin to drive westward towards Paro and Bhutan’s
most holy of all Monastery; Tigers Nest Monastery, "Taktsang
Monastery"
The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly
800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century,
Guru Padma Sambhava alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Enjoy
lunch at the cafeteria at viewpoint. Returning to Paro you have the
option to enjoy a Bhutanese hot stone bath and relax with your fellow
travelers and friends. Farewell dinner in cozy Paro village; one more
opportunity to explore shops and converse with Bhutanese locals. Overnight
at Paro hotel.
Day 12: Transfer to Paro airport for departure.
Tashi Delek!
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