Day 1 Bangkok to Thimphu
Today after you check in at the airport, you will board your plane
for a spectacular flight into Bhutan. Ascending over the High Himalayan
Mountains you view in awe the sacred Mount Jumolhari, "The Goddess
Peak" and Jitchu Drake. Excitement mounts following your descent
in altitude over a large mountain ridge. You have arrived at Paro
International Airport Bhutan; altitude 7500’. Your visa will
now be processed and you are met by your tour representative. Enjoy
lunch in quaint Paro village and we then visit the National Museum
(Ta-Dzong) once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong. It was converted
into the National Musuem 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 home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse)
of the Dzong, displays superb woodwork. Depart Paro (2 hour drive)
to arrive in Thimphu, Capitol of Bhutan. Check into the lovely Bhutanese
Druk Hotel. Tonight meet your host in Bhutan; Sonam. Later discuss
itinerary overview with your guide. Overnight Druk Hotel
Day 2 Thimphu to Wangdue
This morning we depart to visit the Bank of Bhutan for currency exchange,
as well as the post office to view and purchase exquisite collector
item Bhutanese stamps. We then depart Thimphu towards the east to
Wangdu. En route enjoy a short break for tea/coffee at Dochula Pass
at 3150 m and view Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges while surrounded
by hundreds of prayer flags and Buddhist chortens; Spectacular! Overnight:
Dragon’s Nest Resort
Day 3 Wangdue To Bumthang
It takes 5 – 6 hours to drive between the windswept town of Wangdue
and Trongsa. The route crosses the Black Mountains via Pele la (3240
m) before entering the broad, heavily cultivated Mangde Chhu Valley.
From Pele la the road drops through more dwarf Bamboo and patches of
fir trees emerging into the abundant evergreen forest of the Longte
Valley. The road follows the Nikka Chhu (River) to the village of Chendebji
which is on the opposite side of Nikka Chhu. Two kilometers beyond
Chendebji village is Chendebji Chorten, a large white structure beside
a stream. Stop for a picnic lunch at Chendebji. Continue our drive
from Trongsa to Bumthang; a 3 hour drive crossing Yotungla Pass (3425m);
a most scenic drive. Views of the impressive Trongsa Dzong can be seen
far away on your high Himalayan highway. Look for yaks here. Overnight:
River Lodge
Day 4 Bumthang Sightseeing
Today you can relax and unwind at the lodge and later in the day we
will enjoy some Bumthang sightseeing. Bumthang altitude 2600 m has
an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other
regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual
region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of
Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still
linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen
material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale.
Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dozing, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang,
Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing
is most interestingly done on foot. Overnight: River Lodge.
Day 5 Jakar To Tang – Tamshingphala Festival
Drive 27 km from Jakar to Tang Valley. The Tang valley is located in
the eastern part of Bumthang Dzongkhag and has an area of about 511
square kilometers. It is bordered by Lhuentse Dzongkhag to the north
and east, Ura Geog to the south and Chhoekhor Geog to the west. The
altitudes of the Geog ranges from approximately 2800-5000 meters
above sea level.
Attend Tamshingphala Choepa festival at Tamshing Village. Masks of
glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch
the purification take place. The intensity goes on. Your spirit will
fly and your camera will snap away; you are transported into another
time. Join in with local Bhutanese people for a picnic lunch. Returning
to the festival, make sure to watch for the Atsara (clown).This dancer,
unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers.
Late afternoon hike about an hour from the valley floor where the
motorable road ends to Ugyenchholing Palace at the top of the hill
passing through farms an the 18th Century by Trongsa Penlop (Governor
of Trongsa) Chokey Dorji who was a descendant of Terton ( treasurer
discoverer) Dorji Lingpa who lived in the 13th Century ( around 1251
A.D). Chokey Dorji spent his remaining days in Ugyenchholing after
his retirement. Enjoy a typical Bumthap dish of buckwheat pancake and
noodles with cheese and chilly curry (ema-datse) in the evening meal.
Overnight: Ugyenchholing Guest House
Day 6, Tang to Ngalhakhang (Bumthang Cultural Trek begins)
Enjoy a hearty picnic lunch and we then begin Bumthang Cultural Trek.
You will first go to the village of Gamling and the crossing over
the Tangmachu river you will come to the Tahung village. Continue
with a gradual climb through the meadows and mini bamboo pastures
winding through forests of rhododendrons. After trekking about 4
hour you reach to Phephela Pass which is the highest point of the
trek at 3,465M meters; lunch at the pass. After the pass trails leads
down hill through the most beautiful forested areas of bamboo and
fir forest, crossing the streams several times till you finally reach
the campsite at Ngalhakhang. The 6 hour trek will allow for many
stops to enjoy nature. Enjoy a wholesome and delicious Bhutanese
meal prepared by your native Chef. Overnight camp in an open pasture.
Day 7, Ngalhakhang to Tangbi Mani Village
The trail is gradual down hill through pine forest along the Chamkhar
river. After trekking for about 2 hours you will cross a suspension
bridge over the Chamkhar river. From the bridge you cross over to
Kharsa village and trek through the buck fields to Thangbi village.
We stop here to set up camp and enjoy our lunch. This afternoon we
attend Rehearsal Day at Tangbi Lhakhang, situated in this beautiful
countryside. Tomorrow we attend a full day at Tangbi Mani Festival.
Overnight at camp.
Day 8, Tangbi Mani Festival
Full day to attend Tangbi Mani Festival. Deities are invoked through
benediction and luck is increased and misfortune gone. We are 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. Play games and stroll handicraft stalls; watch the Purification
of Fire ritual. Explore around the village and visit locals at their
homes. Enjoy dinner around the campfire with Ara, the local wine. Your
guide will provide Bhutanese campfire story. Overnight at camp.
Day 9 Jakar to Trongsa
Departing from Tangbi camp, the last leg of the trek is to Toktobi,
an easy 45 minutes. Your vehicle will pick you up from Toktobi and
you depart for Trongsa. In Trongsa visit Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong
is the ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 A.D. 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. Local archers display Bhutanese
expertise with the bow at the archery field nearby. Afternoon drive
down 25 Km. along the Shemgang highway to Kuenga Rabten Palace, a
favorite resort of the Second King. In the vicinity of the palace
you may sight the Golden Langur lounging in the trees. Return to
Trongsa for overnight at Hotel Yangkhil
Day 10 Trongsa to Wangdue
Today we enjoy a leisure drive, stopping along our way for photo stops;
we arrive at Dragons Nest Resort for dinner and overnight. The Wangdi
Dzong courtyard will be a pleasant evening excursion.
Day 11 Wangdue to Thimphu
Morning visit the historical Dzong of Punakha which is strategically
located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means "Male
river and Female river". This massive fortress was built by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutan in 1637 A.D. Today, as all other
Dzongs in Bhutan, this Dzong also houses the office of the district
administration as well as the district monk body. It is also used as
the winter residence of the central monk body and it’s Chief
Abbot (Je- Khenpo) who migrate here from Thimphu Dzong during the winter
months and return to Thimphu Dzong in the summer.
Drive on to Thimphu (3 hours). En route to Thimphu take a short hike
to Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley to visit the
temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley,
also known as the “Divine Madman”. Enjoy lunch at Dochula
Cafeteria. Arriving in Thimphu, we check into our hotel relax and dine.
In the evening we stroll Thimphu town and take in the sights and have
an opportunity to shop. Overnight: Hotel
Day 12, Thimphu
This morning we visit the Tarkin zoo, Bhutan’s National animal,
House of Incense and House of Paper, as well as the Royal Textile Museum.
Lunch at the hotel and in the afternoon we visit the Weekend Open Market.
This is a great place to visit where you will see people from all over
western Bhutan selling and buying vegetables and crafts. Here you will
find locals setting up stalls of fresh produce, rice, chilies, jewelry,
local art, handicrafts and visit with enchanting local shoppers. Overnight:
Hotel
Day 13, Thimphu to Paro
After an early breakfast we depart Thimphu and drive to Paro. Excursion
to Taktshang Monastery (4 hours round trip hike) Taktsang is the
most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the Side
of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only
sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of
the monks. The name Taktsang means ‘Tigers Nest’; the
Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of
the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. Continue
on to Paro. In the evening visit a farmhouse for traditional hospitality.
Overnight: Hotel Olathang
Day 14, Paro to Haa to Paro
Today we enjoy a spectacular day trip to Haa Valley, situated in the
north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Haa was closed to tourism until
2001. The following ancient route will take you through some of the
most scenic views of Ha and Paro valleys over alpine Kalila pass.
We enjoy a picnic lunch as prayer flags flutter us into the valley
of Haa; which is traversed by the Haa Chuu; Haa Valley characteristic
features are the three almost conical shaped hillocks considered
to be holy by the local people-the first hillock dedicated to Ap
Chhundu, the supreme local protective deity of Haa. Return to Paro
for farewell dinner.
Day 15, Depart Bhutan for your next destination
Transfer to Paro Airport for departure we hope you have enjoyed your
adventure into the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Tashi Delek!
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