Day 1: Bangkok to Paro
You depart in the early morning for your Bhutan adventure; approximately
a 4-hour flight to Paro from Bangkok. Your flight path finally descends
over the high Himalayan ridge bringing you to Paro International
Airport, elevation 7,500 ft. Your Druk Air experience has been highlighted
with breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the sacred
Mount Jumolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. Your excitement mounts
and you are received by your tour representative; visas are processed.
Drive to the Dechen Hill Resort for lunch in your small van and get
acquainted with your expert driver and English speaking Bhutanese
guide. Welcome to Bhutan! After lunch we will continue our drive
(2 hour) towards Thimphu, capitol of Bhutan. Along the route we visit
Semtokha Dzong; oldest fortress in the kingdom and is now a monastic
school. Overnight Hotel Pedling.
Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing
Enjoy breakfast at our charming hotel and we then depart to visit Bhutan’s
national bank for currency exchange, as well as a stop at Bhutan’s
post office; elaborate and collector item stamps of gorgeous detail
are here for purchase or to admire. We will drive to view National
Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third king of Bhutan,
and a visit to see the Tarkin, the National animal of Bhutan, will
prove to be most interesting. Lunch at our hotel and now please load
your camera! We are now off to the famous “weekend Thimphu market”.
You will enjoy this colorful and bustling marketplace. Unique varieties
of produce and handicrafts are displayed for sale; locals and visitors
alike enjoy this shopping experience; a true Bhutanese experience and
wonderful way to mingle with the locals. Photo opportunity abounds
here, but please asks permission. Tonight enjoy a reception dinner
with your host in Bhutan, Sonam. Overnight Hotel.
Day 3: Thimphu (Tango Hike) to Wangdue
This morning you will go over your itinerary with your guide at breakfast
and then prepare for our drive to the path to embark on a vigorous
hike up the mountain to Tango Goemba 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. Return to Thimphu
for lunch and check out of your hotel and depart for Wangdue. Leaving
Thimphu we drive towards Wangdue across Dochula pass (10,500ft) to
Wangduephodrang. On a clear day you can enjoy a spectacular view
of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Prayer flags flutter their
message of peace and serenity. Tea and snack stop at the pass. Overnight
Dragons Nest Resort; spectacular views of the quaint village river
and Wangdi Dzong.
Day 4: Wangdue sightseeing
Breakfast and then we will visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong; “Palace
of Great Happiness”; the former winter capital and present administrative
seat of the district; 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. Lunch and
we visit Wangdue Dzong as well as a visit to Chimi Lhakhang; a Fertility
Monastery. Overnight Dragons Nest Resort.
Day 5: Wangdue (via Gangtey) to Trongsa
Transfer to Trongsa via Gangtey Valley to visit the habitat of the
black-neck cranes which migrate from Tibet and Siberia. Phobjikha 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.
Phobjikha Valley is circled by beautiful pine covered mountains. Along
the way, look for nocturnal red pandas that sleep in the trees during
the day. At the valley’s centre, rising dramatically from a small
ridge, stands Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma Bhuddist 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 centres, and schools.
Visit the Black-necked cranes roost in the swampy marshland from the
Observatory overlooking the fields. Continue on to Trongsa for your
overnight hotel.
Day 6: Trongsa Festival
Today we attend a full day at the Trongsa Festival. The Trongsa Dzong
was built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, theThird Desi, in 1648 A.D. It is
presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic
school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural
wonder. Views from here are extensive creating strategic location of
this Dzong. Over the Dzong is the medieval Watchtower. This ancient
structure gives unobstructed views of the valley, and its Winding River
and roads. The watchtower is located strategically above the Trongsa
Dzong. LOAD your camera to capture the intensity of this festival,
while your gain merit and religious purification; be immersed into
medieval Bhutan and the enchanting Bhutanese culture. Here one can
truly appreciate the essence of Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast
culture. Arrays of colourful brocades whirl through the air as the
dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt step". Masks of glorious
demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as purification takes
place. The intensity goes on; your spirit will fly. Enjoy dinner at
a local restaurant. Overnight hotel.
Day 7: Trongsa
This morning we return to the Trongsa festival; today watch for the
Atsara (clown) this dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers
and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction
and luck is increased and misfortunate gone. Tashi Delek. After lunch
visit Kuenga Rabten Palace, Home of the 2nd King, 25 Km from Trongsa
Overnight: Hotel
Day 8: Trongsa to Bumthang
Today we continue eastward towards central Bhutan; Bumthang.En route
visit Yatha Textile Centre; watch for yaks along the route.
Overnight: River Lodge Hotel
Day 9: Bumthang
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. A short walk to Flamming Lake to visit this
religious and holy pilgrimage spot. Visit a Stone flour grist water
mill and a beer and cheese factory, Tamshing Monastery and Wangdichholing
Palace. In the evening visit a farmhouse for local hospitality. Return
to lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Day 10: Bumthang to Wangdue
Departing Bumthang we drive westward to Wangdue. Photo and rest stops
along our way; perhaps an interesting archer’s match in Trongsa.
Overnight: Dragons Nest Resort
Day 11: Wangdue to Paro
After breakfast we enjoy a leisure drive to Paro. Check into your hotel
and enjoy free time to relax. This evening we visit Paro town to shop
for any special purchase request you may have. Tonight enjoy a special
Bhutanese Buffet at a cozy local Paro Restaurant.
Day
12: Tigers Nest
Breakfast at your hotel and we then drive to our path to hike to
Tiger’s
Nest view point. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer
drop of nearly 800 m. It is said that in the second half of the 8th
century, Guru Padma Sambbava alighted here upon the back of a tigress.
Lunch at Tigers Nest cafeteria and we return to Paro village to tour
Ta National Dzong Museum. 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, with its superb woodwork. Farewell
dinner at local restaurant in Paro.
Day 13: Paro to Abroad
Transfer to airport for departure; Tashi Delek!
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