Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Paro
Arrive into Paro via Druk Air, 1045 am from Delhi or Kathmandu. Met and transfer to hotel.
Paro lies at an altitude of 2280m above sea level. Before the construction of roads most of Bhutan's trade came through Paro either from Tibet via Tremo la 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 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 cum monastery, which overlooks the valley) which is accessible via a traditional cantilever bridge. Near the bridge are shortens (or prayer shrines) situated alongside the Ugyen Pelri palace.
Day 2: Paro, Taktsang Monastery
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 feet 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 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 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: Hindu Temple Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu (2 hours). En route visit Simtokha. 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 the capital town of Thimphu where we will be staying for the next four nights.
After check-in, you can visit the bustling weekend market where all Bhutanese buy their groceries etc; it also houses a handicraft section.
Thimphu: Lying at an elevation of 2320m 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.
Each day's schedule will consist of optional hiking in the early morning, festival viewing in the mornings and sightseeing in the afternoon. Sightseeing in Thimphu 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. The 13 arts and crafts are 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 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: Hindu Temple Thimphu - 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: Hindu Temple Attend Thimphu Tsechu
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: Hindu Temple Drive to Punakha
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). 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: Punakha
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: Hindu Temple Trongsa - Bumthang
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 form 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 in 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- exotically embroidered woolen cloth which can be stitched into jackets and covers. Bumthang 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: Hindu Temple Bumthang - attend Tangbi Mani
Mornings attend Tangbi Mani. Afternoons 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. Optional short day hikes can also be scheduled in Bumthang to visit historical sites and local villages. Visits can also be arranged to the village of Ura which lies 2 hours away from Bumthang.
Day 12: Hindu Temple 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: Hindu Temple 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: Assam India border
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*.
Day 15: Hindu Temple Fly to Calcutta or Delhi
Late night transfer to international airport for flight home. Or fly to Kathmandu to join our Tibet extension.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Bhutan visa
- airport transfers
- all land transport
- accommodations
- all meals in Bhutan
- professional accompanying escort throughout
- all entrance fees
- $10 per person paid to the Department of Tourism as contribution to tourism development fund.
Price Excludes:
- International Flt
- Departure Tax
- Tips
- India Visa
- travel/trip cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls
- art supplies
- beverages except tea/coffee.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Tibet
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
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