The people of Bhutan refer to their kingdom as Druk-yul or The Land of the Thunder Dragon. For visitors, this small protected kingdom is referred to as the mountain lotus of the world. Its' magnificent pristine landscape, ancient traditional culture and Buddhist values are unique in the Himalayas. The world-famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Lair) clinging to the edge of the cliff at 10,000 feet is a wondrous destination in itself.
Dzongs in Bhutan are combination administration/monastic centers. The Paro Dzong has played an important role in the history of Bhutan. Some scenes from Bernardo Bertalucci's Little Buddha were shot here in 1992. Above the Dzong is Ta Dzong, a seven-story watchtower built for the protection of the main Dzong below. The Ta Dzong has now been converted to a National Museum. It houses a rich collection of sacred scrolls, art and ancient weapons.
Tsechus, (religious festivals) that depict Buddhist teachings, are held every year in all districts. Masked dances are performed to instruct the onlookers in the ways of dharma. Each festival lasts three days with performances differing each day. Tsechu performances are in the mornings which leaves afternoons free for sightseeing.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Sep 17: Arrive in Paro 9:15 am via Druk Air KB 121, from Calcutta dep 0740 or from Bangkok dep 0550 (same flt-starts in Bangkok & stops in Calcutta). Met at airport and transfer to hotel.
Paro lies at an altitude of 2280m (7480 feet) above sea level. Before the construction of roads, most of Bhutan's trade came through Paro either from Tibet via Tremo or from the south via Haa. Paro valley extends from Jumolhari on the Tibetan border to Chuzom, which is the confluence of the Thimphu and Punakha rivers.
Afternoon visit to Choeten Lhakhang, a monastery situated in the center of the town, built in the traditional Bhutanese style. Dumtse Lhakhang is believed to have flown from Tibet and is hence held by chains to the ground. Also visit Paro Dzong: the correct name of the Dzong is Rinchen Pung Dzong, which means fortress on a heap of jewels. The Dzong was built in 1646 by Shabdung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly. The Dzong is located on a vantage point on the hillside and has two Lhakhangs (monasteries) and a Central Utse (Central tower). As with all Dzongs, the local administrative and monk body are housed on the premises.
In the evening a stroll around Paro town to gain first insights into life in Bhutan. The town is situated below the Dzong (fortress monastery, which overlooks the valley) which is accessible via a traditional cantilever bridge. Near the bridge are chortens (or prayer shrines) situated alongside the Ugyen Pelri palace.
Day 2, Sep 18: Morning hike to Taktsang Monastery, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan kingdom. Also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, it is perched on a rock face and is revered by Bhutanese as Guru Padmasambhava (who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan) is said to have flown on the back of a tiger to the site to meditate.
The climb to Taktsang takes about two hours. Every Bhutanese inspires to make at least one pilgrimage here in his life time. The well-maintained path passes through blue pines, oaks and rhododendrons. From a number of places during the climb you can get glimpses of the monastery clinging to the cliff with no visible approach. Near a cluster of prayer flags, to the right of the path, is Taktsang Cafe which offers a magnificent view of the 3000 foot high cliff supporting the monastery. Before the final approach, a bend in the road goes down to a small bridge. A few paces ahead is a hermit’s hut carved inside a rock. From here, a short but steep climb takes us to the door of Taktsang. Near the entrance is the cave in which the well-known Guru Padmasambhava meditated for three months in the 18th century and converted the people to Buddhism. (if you do not wish to do this hike, there will be optional activities offered.)
Afternoon visit to the National Museum which is located above the Dzong in the ancient circular watchtower. The museum consists of six floors dealing with different aspects of Bhutanese culture. The museum also houses a great collection of Thangkhas (embroidered or painted religious hangings). The Tshogshing Lhakhang (the temple of the tree of wisdom) is also located in the museum.
Drive to Drugyel Dzong in the evening. A pleasant 14 km (9 mile) drive from Paro town takes us to the site of the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. Drugyel Dzong was built to commemorate a Bhutanese victory over Tibetan invaders in the seventeenth century. It is situated at the point where the trail from Tibet enters Paro. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in this century. On a clear day there is a magnificent view of Mount Jumolhari from the site.
Day 3, Sep 19: Drive to Thimphu (two hours). Lying at an elevation of 2320m (7611 feet) above sea level the capital of Bhutan is a blend of the traditional and the modern. It is the only capital in the world without streetlights, relying instead on the elegant gestures of the traffic policemen. The population of Thimphu stands at around 40,000. Geographically, the capital lies in a valley with the Thimphu River running through it.
On our drive we pass the Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangtong Gyalpo (iron bridge builder/saint from the 14th /15th century who introduced the art of building suspension bridges with iron chains). There's an orange tree in the courtyard which bears fruit due to the blessings of the saint and monastery (oranges are not native to that region). We pass Chuzom (meeting of the rivers or confluence). Bhutanese believe that evil influences gather at such places and hence three shrines have been built on this spot. The shrines have been built in three different styles- Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese. Vehicles need to register at check point here. Afterwards, a 15 minute drive to Thimphu where we will be staying for the next three nights.
Each day's schedule will consist of optional hiking in the early morning, festival viewing in the mornings and sightseeing in the afternoon. Sightseeing will include: the Folk Heritage Museum and the School of Arts and Crafts which will give us one of our first insights into the artistic tradition in Bhutan. We will be able to see the students master the 13 traditional crafts: Painting, Carpentry, Carving, Sculpture, Casting, Blacksmith, Bamboo works, Gold Smithing & Silver Smithing, Weaving, Embroidery, Masonry, Leather Works and Paper works. This will give us a good basis of understanding the development of arts and its relation to everyday life in Bhutan. An art master will give us a brief introduction to the development of art in Bhutan and it’s relevance in everyday life. The students sell the works in a shop nearby to supplement their income. Special arrangements can be made to attend a class at the School of Arts and Crafts, with advance notice, for those interested. Please sign up for the tour a minimum 6 months prior and indicate your interest at time of booking. Additional costs for art supplies will be applicable.
Tashicho Dzong: Dzongs are traditionally built without nails or written plans. The dzong houses the monk body in summer and is the seat of government, the king's offices are in this dzong. There is a picturesque cantilever bridge below the dzong.
Memorial Chorten: Tibetan style Chorten built in memory of the third king-father of modern Bhutan. Throughout the day people come to walk around the Chorten in prayer and worship.
National Library: Houses ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts in a huge traditional building. Each floor has an altar with statue of Bhutan's most important historical /religious figures. People sometimes go around the building in prayer because the building houses many holy books.
National Institute of Traditional Medicine: Diagnosis of diseases is done mainly by feeling the pulse. Bhutan has a rich array of herbs which are used for the treatment of diseases. The traditional system of medicine is incorporated into the National Health System.
Day 4, Sep 20: Attend Thimphu Drupchen. During the Drupchen, the deities are prayed to and dances are performed only by monks in costume while in the tsechu the dances are performed by monks and secular people. We will attend a few dances of religious significance during the Drupchen.
Days 5-6, Sep 21-22: Attend Thimphu Tsechu in the mornings; sightseeing in the afternoons. In the evenings, you can visit the bustling weekend market where all Bhutanese buy their groceries etc; it also houses a handicraft section.
Day 7, Sep 23: On the final morning of the festival, if the unfurling of the throngdrel is to take place (this cannot be confirmed in advance), we have a very early morning rise to view the ceremony (3-6:30am). [A thongdrel is like a giant thangkha.] Most dzongs have one of their own which they exhibit only once a year or once in three years. Viewing it is supposed to help accumulate great merit. The thongdrel is unfurled before dawn and at the first rays of sun shine it is packed away.
Return to hotel for breakfast and then drive to Punakha, (approx 3 hrs). The drive is in three phases. After reaching Simtokha we climb from Simtokha to Dochula Pass. En route we pass the Simtokha Dzong which is the oldest dzong in Bhutan and which now houses the Institute for language and Culture. At Hongtso there is an immigration checkpoint where we need to register. We cross Dochula Pass (3150m) where on a clear day we can see views of the Himalayas. Lunch can be packed from the hotel in Paro or can be eaten at the Dochula cafeteria. The last phase of the journey is downhill to Punakha valley. En route we pass prayer wheels which are run by flowing water.
Day 8, Sep 24: Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the magnificent dzong is situated on an island in the middle of the river. It is also the winter residence of the central monastic body. It is a climatically a warmer valley than Paro and Thimphu. We visit the Punakha dzong and short hike to Chimi Lhakhang where many go to pray for progeny. We will also visit a traditional Bhutanese village to view life in rural Bhutan. For those desiring more energetic pursuits - hiking to nearby villages can be arranged.
Day 9, Sep 25: After breakfast we depart Punakha to Trongsa (4 to 5 hours). A magnificent drive with many waterfalls alongside the climbing road. Trongsa which is the ancestral home of the royal family is 4 hours away from Punakha. The route crosses Pelela (3400m) and passes by the village of Rukubji, which is unusual, as the houses cluster together. The village is surrounded by fields of wheat and barley. Trongsa dzong is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture and is visible at least 14 km away.
After lunch at Trongsa we depart for a pleasant two hour drive to Bumthang which is often referred to as the cultural heartland of Bhutan. The drive first climbs but then mellows into pleasantly winding roads. We pass Chume village, known for its yathra weaving- delightfully woven embroidered cloth. Bumthang is often called the cultural and religious of Bhutan and abounds with beautiful sites to visit. Once again mornings will be spent viewing the festivals and afternoons visiting various sites in Bumthang.
Days 10-11, Sep 26-27: Mornings attend Tangbi Mani. Afternoon sightseeing. As Buddhism was first introduced in Bhutan via Bumthang this place abounds with religious sites.
One afternoon: A walk past a suspension bridge beyond a carved Buddha on a rock to Thankabi Monastery. Thankabi Goemba is located amongst fields of buckwheat. The trail continues though meadows and forests (blue pine and scrub bamboo) to Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple). The valley was originally inhabited by swans which gave the valley its name. A renowned lama (Lama Namkha Samdrup) had a vision of a monastery in that area. He shot an arrow and the monastery was built at the spot the arrow landed. Black-necked cranes winter in the area. Picnic lunch en route. Other places to visit in Bumthang include: Mebartso (the Burning Lke where the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa discovered Buddhist treasures); Tamshing Monastery - one of the most sacred Nyingmapa monasteries, Kurjey Lhakhang- built on the site of Guru Rimpoche's meditation site, Jambay Lhakhang, Sey Lhakhang and Chakkar Lhakhang.
Day 12, Sep 28: Drive Bumthang to Mongar (6 hrs). The drive from Bumthang to Mongar is the best in the country, with dense forest, waterfalls, sometimes encountering wildlife and beautifully built traditional villages. The drive can include breaks to allow for excursions into the forested areas where a wide variety of flora and fauna flourish. The difference in altitude changes (from Thrumsingla Pass at over 3000 m above sea level to around 600m) provides us with a rapid and interesting change in flora and fauna. Moist ridges, cloud forest and cliff vegetation can also be viewed along the drive. Hotel Druk Zhongar.
Day 13, Sep 29: Drive Mongar to Trashiyangtse (2 hrs) and Continue to Trashigang (2 hrs). In Trashigang there are several sights to see besides viewing the Dzong and the traditional village houses. There is a Rigney Institute - a traditional learning center. The curriculum here encompasses both religious learning as well as arts such as woodcarving, painting etc. Chorten Kora is a temple/stupa, which is styled after Boudanath in Nepal. It was constructed in the late 18th century. Legend has it that the people of the region had deeply desired to visit Boudanath in Nepal as they were deeply religious. Lama Ngawang Loday visited Nepal and brought back a copy of the temple carved into a radish to be used as a model to construct a copy of the temple in Bhutan. As the radish had shrunk slightly, the temple ended up being of different proportions from the temple in Nepal. For nature lovers the Bomdeling Sanctuary is located one hours walk from Chorten Kora. It is the roosting home of the endangered black necked crane.
Trashigang Dzong dominates the town and a drive of one hour will take us to Gom Kora. This site is the site of Guru Rimpoche's meditation. There is a body imprint which is attributed to Guru Rimpoche. There are also many treasures which were revealed by the Guru including a dragon egg. Hotel Dejung.
Day 14, Sep 30: Drive Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar (6 hour drive) crossing the village of Khaling which is renowned for its weaving and its school for the blind. This is the exit point. You will be picked up at the border by your Indian driver. Samdrup Jongkhar is on the Assam border, it is 120km from the border to Guwahati (nearest airport). On arrival transfer to hotel Brahamputra Ashok 4 star.
Day 15, Oct 1: Fly to Calcutta, 9W207 dep.1200 arr 1310. Shared room at hotel for wash/change. Late night transfer to airport. For Tibet extension, overnight in Calcutta.
Included: accommodations, all meals, accompanying escort, land transport and airport transfers, Bhutan visa fee.
Not Included: international flights & within Asia, insurance, India visa fee, beverages except tea/coffee, tips, expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls. Extra Costs to be paid in Bhutan: approximately $30 for art supplies to be paid at the arts school if you elect to attend.
Note: Nights in Bhutan are fairly cold. There is no central heating in any hotels, including the luxury ones, though rooms do have heaters. I would advise lots of warm clothing and a good attitude! Pre-tour extension to Darjeeling & Sikkim and post-tour to Tibet available.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price based on a minimum of 4 people; single room supplement: $525 Plus Druk Air: Calcutta-Paro $218 and Guwahati-Calcutta $135. (airfare prices subject to change).
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Bhutan
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
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