Day 01. ARRIVE PARO BY DRUK AIR
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas,
offering dazzling scenic views of some world's highest glacial peaks. As you
enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery Pa
Chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley below. Paro Dxong (fortress) and
Ta Dxong (watchtower) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight. Our
representative will meet you at Paro airport, and after completion of
arrival formalities you will be transferred to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, an
exciting blend of tradition and modernity.
Overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu.
Day 02. THIMPHU Today's full day of
sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes, visit to:
National
Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and
manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern
academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion;
Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Painting School) where
students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts
of Bhutan;
Textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both
of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese
material culture and way of life.
National Memorial Chorten: the
third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace
and prosperity, envisaged the building of this landmark. Completed in 1974
after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King ("the
Father of modern Bhutan") and a monument to world peace. The paintings
and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist
philosophy.
Trashichhodzong: This impressive fortress/monastery
houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and
various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot
and central monk body.
Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run
enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and
craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan,
Buddhism and Himalayan culture.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03. THIMPHU / TRONGSA (200 KM, 6 HRS) After early breakfast,
drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take
in the view and admire the chorten, main wall, and prayer flags which
decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following
peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): 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.
Then continue onwards, reaching
Wangduephodrang town in time for lunch. From Dochu-la pass, it is a long,
winding descent into the Wangduephodrang valley, which is about 1,700m below
the pass. Take lunch at Wangduephodrang town, and then continue on to
Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft), the traditional boundary
between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white chorten prayer
flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain
forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo.
Stop en route at
Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu's Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes
panted at four cardinal points. Lama Shida built it in the 18th century from
Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.
Arrive at Trongsa late afternoon and check into the lodge for the
night.
Day 04. TRONGSA / BUMTHANG (68 KMS, 3 HRS)
After breakfast, walk by Trongsa Dzong (built by Shabdrung in 1647) and
climb up a steep pat to visit the Ta Dzong (watchtower) dedicated to epic
hero, King Gesar of Ling.
Then drive to Bumthang, 68 km from
Trongsa, a journey of about 3 hours, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155
ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs
down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as
the Chumey valley.
On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your
lodge. After lunch, visit to 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 Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest
wall paintings in Bhutan) and Jakar Dzong (administrative center of the
region). Stroll in the village, visit the little handicraft shop at the
entrance to the town, and perhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 05. BUMTHANG /
PUNAKHA (205 KMS, 7 HRS) After breakfast, explore further the
fascinating valley of Bumthang. Then proceed to Punakha, stopping along the
way at Trongsa for lunch, which would be served in local restaurant, famous
for its cuisine.
Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town en route to
Punakha, which we will reach late afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel in
Punakha.
Day 06. PUNAKHA / PARO (125 KMS, 4.1/2 HRS) Morning visit Punakha
Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was
Bhutan's capital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter
residence of the central monk body. Bhutan's first King, Ugyen Wangchuck,
was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from
fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October
1994, caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared its most
holy statue. Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the newly built
stupa.
After lunch, drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong.
This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the
Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Overnight at the hotel in
Paro.
Day 07 : PARO Today's full day of sightseeing
in Paro valley includes, visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served as
watchtower for Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) and now houses the National
Museum, and Paro Dzong (rinpung Dzong), built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal.
After lunch, we drive up the valley Drukgyel Dzong,
built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the
Tibetans in war of 1644. En route, we also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in
the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight at the
hotel in Paro.
Day 08: DEPART PARO After early
breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward
destination.
Important note: - You can also take an
extension to Kathmandu or India after this tour.
- Paro Festival
dates: 09 - 13 April'06
- Thimpu Festival dates: 27 Sept - 04 Oct'06
It
is a land of the peaceful Dragon, lies in a hidden corner high in the
eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between Tibet to the north and the Indian
states of Sikkim to the west, Assam to the south and Arunachal Pradesh to
the east. The country within these borders forms a giant staircase, from the
grassy floodplains and riverine forests in the south through semi tropical
and alpine forests to some of the highest unclimbed Himalayan peaks on
earth. 