> DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01 FLIGHT TO PARO
Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series,
the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful
view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after
visa formalities you will be received by Our members.
Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight Kichu
Resort.
DAY 02 SIGHTSEEING
IN PARO
 Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel
dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic
location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley
from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early
17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320
meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed
through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally
known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum
in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of
Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th
century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong
which serves as the administrative center and school
for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional
bridge into Paro Town. Evening drive 2 hours to Thimphu
and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained
road through out Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel Druk or
River view.
DAY 03 SIGHTSEEING
IN PARO AND DRIVE TO THIMPHU
AM sightseeing - visit the Indigenous hospital where
traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art
& Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith
workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial
chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang
mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national
animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view
of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery
temple and free time in the market. Overnight same.
DAY 04 DRIVE AROUND
PASS PUNAKHA
Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing
the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will
see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest
mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The
drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping
to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the
Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan.
This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers
and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every
year during the month of February a procession known
as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the
victory over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang
and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the
market area. Check into Wangdi Kichu Resort.
DAY 05 DAY EXCURSION TO THE GANGTEY GOMPA VALLEY
 Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude
of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western
Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also
home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from
the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently
there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley
and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN)
is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the
Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley
for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to
make load noises or fish in the river that runs through
the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and
return to the Resort.
DAY 06 DRIVE TO
TRONGSA DZONG AND BUMTHANG
Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing
3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent
views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through
scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine.
Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji
chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town
known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly
consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive
of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan
was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th
century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building.
Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume
weaving center. Overnight at Karma Tobden Guest House.
DAY 07 SIGHTSEEING
IN BUMTHANG
 Bumthang altitude 2600m, 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 Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang,
Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery.
This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting
done on foot. Overnight same.
DAY 08 EXCURSION
AROUND URA VILLAGE AND SWISS FARM
Excursion 2 hours to Ura village and visit the new Ura
monastery. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning
lake. Stroll around the village and return back to Guest
house. Evening walk to the swiss farm where apple juice,
cider, cheese etc... are made.
DAY 09 DRIVE TO WANGDUEPHODRANG
Drive back to Wangduephodrang. Overnight at Wangdi Kichu
Resort.
DAY 10 DRIVE TO
PARO VIA LOBESA
Drive 3/4 hours to Paro via Lobesa and a short walk
through farm hoses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang. This
monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated
to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He
is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple
is visited mostly by childless couples. Lunch at Thimphu
and drive to Paro visiting the visiting the oldest building
in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist
university. Overnight Kichu Resort.
DAY 11 HIKE TO
TAKTSANG MONASTERY
 Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged
with an extra cost. The hike which is all the way uphill
takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests.
The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800
meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in
1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps
to restore the monastery to its original structure.
It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came
in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated
in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who
were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted
the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the
17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the
saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every
Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back
to Resort. Evening at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort.
DAY 12 TRANSFER
TO AIRPORT AND FLY OUT
Transfer to airport where the guide will help you with
final departure formalities.
Contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com for more information |
