Overview
This tour will take you close to the Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views
some of world's highest glacial peaks, monasteries and forested hills.
Day 01 Arrive Paro ( by Druk Air) / Thimpu
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling
scenic views of some of world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley,
you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery Paro Chu (Paro river)
meandering down the valley below. Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (National
Museum) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight. Our representative
will meet you at Paro airport and drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, an
exciting blend of tradition and modernity.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02 Thimpu
After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit the following:
the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist
manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting
School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13
traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a
fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
After lunch, visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This
is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat
of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious
unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in
traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Also visit
King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring
mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the
idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of
modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity.
Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the
Late King and as a monument to peace.
Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to
browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy
hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood
carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03 Thimpu - Tongsa ( 200 km / 6
hrs)
After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,080m). If
the weather permits, you can see a range of high Himalayan peaks towards the
north east. Following peaks can be seen from this pass, on a clear day ;
Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang
(7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain
that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the
highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Further drive onwards Wangduephodrang arriving town for lunch. The descent from
Dochula into Wangduephodrang valley is quite long as the altitude difference is
1700 meters.
Proceed onward to Trongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m ), the traditional
boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and
the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop en route at Chendbji
Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese
in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.
Arrive Trongsa and check into the lodge.
Day 04 Tongsa - Bumthang ( 68 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong. Like almost all towns
in the Kingdom, this Dzong architecture dominates the entire Trongsa horizon
dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over
central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second King ruled the country
from this ancient seat.
Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 km from Trongsa road reaches
the Yutong La pass (3,400m). Further 13 km ahead, the road enters into a wide
open cultivated valley known as Chumey valley.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge. After lunch, visit Kurje Lhakhang
where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on
a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Monastery (one of
the oldest monastic school), the Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the
region) and Swiss Farm House.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 05 Bumthang - Punakha ( 205 kms / 7
hrs)
After breakfast explore fascinating valley of Bumthang.
Then proceed to Trongsa where lunch would be served in local restaurant, famous
for its traditional cuisine.
Before arriving Punakha visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town en route.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 06 Punakha / Paro ( 125 kms / 4 hrs)
Morning visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at
the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still
serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck
was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire,
earthquake and flood. The latest flood of Oct' 1994 caused great damages to the
fortress but miraculously spared the statue of Buddha Jojampa.
Then drive to Paro en route visit traditional Bhutanese farm house which offers
good insight into lifestyle of local people and their culture.
Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, inaugurated as National Museum in 1968, and holding a
fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s
exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural
history collection.
After that walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, also known as ‘fortress
of the heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first
spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of
Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon
(judge) of Paro district.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 07 Paro
After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery, perched on
the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru
Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this place,
hence the monastery is also called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site, which has long
been recognized as a most sacred place, was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
in 1646. It is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once
in a lifetime.
After lunch drive to Drukgyel Dzong. This dzong, with a picturesque village
nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to
commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.
Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and central
keep remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Mt.
Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.
Evening visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 7th century, is one of the two oldest
and most sacred shrines in Bhutan (ther other being Jambay Lhakahng in Bumthang).
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 08 Paro - Fly out
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward
destination.
End of Services
TOUR LODGING INFO:
07 Nights Hotels
