Prayer flags frame the Rinpung Dzong at Paro
The remote kingdom of Bhutan has a fascinating cultural and architectural heritage plus beautiful mountain scenery. A highlight of any visit to the country is to witness Drubchen (Festival); a colourful event accompanied by Buddhist chants and masked dances. This tour is timed to coincide with one of the least tourist visited festivals and is set in one the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan. The country continues to preserve its cultural integrity and age-old traditions as revealed in this unique and comprehensive tour, which travels through the fascinating western and central regions of the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon
ITINERARY
Day 1/2 Fly from London to Kathmandu
Various flight options to Kathmandu. Next morning arrival, transfer and overnight at the historic Shanker hotel (B)
Day 3 Morning flight to Paro, BHUTAN
A spectacular mountain flight to Paro from Kathmandu with Druk Air. We visit the National Museum which holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and exquisite postage stamps. Later we visit Rinpung Dzong 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. Two nights in Tashi Namgay Resort hotel with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 4 In Paro
We visit Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) known as Tiger’s Nest, the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, 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 monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. On the way back we visit Drukgyel Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders and Kyichu Lakhang one of the oldest shrines of the Kingdom dating back to the 7th century (B,L,D)
Day 5 Fly to Bumthang
We fly to Bumthang this morning, which is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. This afternoon we 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 Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan) and Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the region). Two nights at the Valley View Resort hotel with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 6 In Bumthang
This morning we have short hike to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery founded by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche in 1984 and has become part of an extensive effort to preserve and revitalize Tibetan culture. The monks regular curriculum include reading, memorizing the daily prayers, learning dharma dances, drawing mandalas, learning the melodies of sacred rituals, learning the use of ceremonial instruments and the art of making sacrificial objects, along with the basics of contemplation and instruction on the different stages of tantra. The afternoon is left at leisure to enjoy the atmosphere of the location of Bumthang (B,L,D)
Day 7 Drive from Bumthang to Trongsa
We stop at Chumey, a wide fertile valley where wheat, barley, potatoes and buckwheat are cultivated. It is particularly know for its famous wool weaving called “Bumthang Yathra”. Later we drive (2.5 hours) to Trongsa crossing Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road climbs steeply through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. Finally the road winds down the pass to Trongsa. On arrival we visitTrongsa Dzong, built in 1648 it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan and Ta Dzong, recently opened fort in Trongsa. The Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone structure rising five stories, was built in 1652 by ChogyalMinjur Tempa. with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Overnight Yangkhill hotel with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 8 Drive from Trongsa to Punahka
After breakfast we drive (5 hours) to Punahka via Dochula pass (3,100m) arriving at Wangduephodrang town in time for lunch. In the morning we cross Pelela pass (3,300 m), the traditional boundary between east and west. The passis 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. On arrival at Punakha we check-in to our hotel located right on the bank of the river. Three nights in the Khuru Resort hotel with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 9 Attend Punakha Tshechu Festival
We spend an unforgettable day at the Punakha Festival. Dancers wear spectacular costumes made of yellow silk or rich brocade, often decorated with ornaments of carved bone. For certain dances, they wear masks which may represent animals, fearsome deities, skulls or just simple human beings. The Thongdroel usually unveiled on the final day of the festival is of enormous significance. Measuring 83 ft by 93 ft, the Punakha Thogdroel (huge painted scroll) is the largest ever made. Composed entirely of applique on more than 6,000 metres of silk brocade, it took 51 artists, two years to complete (B,L,D)
Day 10 In Punakha
After breakfast we hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten, a moderate half hour hike through the rice paddies. Next we visit Punakha Dzong, a fortress built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and it still is the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. Later enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the Punak Chhu in the stunning dzong which straddles the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River). After lunch we drive to the village of Talo for a walk in the beautiful and quiet grounds of the village temple and visit the home village of the Kingdom’s four Queens (B,L,D)
Day 11 Drive Punakha to Thimpu. Visit Thimphu
Our drive (3 hours) this morning is via the Dochula Pass (3100m). The pass is marked by a large massive choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyel Choetens) and prayer flags. The pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. We arrive at Thimphu the capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with a mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. On arrival in Thimphu we check-in to our hotel. After lunch we We visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years and the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum – these museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life. Two nights at the Pedling hotel with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 12 In Thimpu
This morning we visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. 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. The afternoon is left free to explore the town perhaps to shop at some of the excellent souvenir market stalls (B,L,D)
Day 13 Drive to Paro
We drive to Paro (3 hours) stopping at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers and Tschogang Lhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”, built in 15th century. We arrive into Paro and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort with dinner (B,L,D)
Day 14 Paro – Kathmandu
Early morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu. Tour ends (B)
Price includes –
Bhutanese guide for the duration of the tour
All transportation by a/c bus
One internal Druk Air flight (Paro to Bumthang)
Full sightseeing programme including entrance fees
Comfortable three star standard category tourist hotels
Kathmandu transit hotel on B+B basis with airport transfers
All meals in hotel or local restaurants
Bottled water daily
Porter, hotel and restaurant staff gratuities
Royalty and Tourism Development Fund Taxes
Please note tour involves some long drives and reasonably high altitudes
PLEASE NOTE – personal travel insurance, visa fees, alcoholic drinks, guide and driver gratuities, international flights to Bhutan are not included in the land tour cost
