DAY 01 (Feb. 11th) ARRIVE PARO
Fly from Bangkok Delhi / Kathmandu to Paro on Druk Air (Bhutan National Airline). From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to your hotel. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armor and rare stamps. Take a leisurely hike down to Rimpung Dzong. You will walk through a traditional covered bridge across the river to your waiting car at the valley floor and take you to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 (Feb 12th) PARO SIGHTSEEING & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
After breakfast we visit, Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. We will then proceed for our lunch at a farm house. Here we will enjoy and experience the true Bhutanese farmer’s way of life. We will continue our sightseeing by exploring the small town of Paro and also visit the small town temple. We will then start our drive to Thimphu the capital city, situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet. The drive will take about 2 hours. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03 (Feb. 13th) SIGHTSEEING AROUND THIMPHU
After breakfast visit Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, the arts and crafts institute, Bhutan folk heritage museum, the national library and textile museum. After lunch visit the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns) and continue to Thimphu weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It’s an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best - and cheapest – vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the week’s gossip. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous goods and handicrafts section. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups. If time permits continue your visit to Zangdo Pelri Temple and Changlimithang, here you will witness the Bhutanese practicing their favorite game known as archery. Overnight at the Hotel arranged.
DAY 04 (Feb. 14th) DRIVE TO PUNAKHA
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before driving towards our hotel we will take a short leisurely 30-minute walk to Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Continue our drive to our hotel, after lunch visit the ongoing festival. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 05 (Feb 15th) PUNAKHA FESTIVAL
After breakfast, our car will shuttle us North to the road head from where we will walk to the Khamsung Stupa. The hike takes approximately 1.5 hours, it starts with descend down to the Punakha Phochu River, cross a bridge and then start climbing uphill until you reach the majestic Khamsung Stupa. We will then start our drive to Punakha Dzong to observe the procession ceremony. This procession is to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invading troops in the 17th century. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 06 (Feb 16th) PUNAKHA - PHOBJIKHA - TRONGSA
After breakfast you will begin your journey to Gangtey Monastery, it is about 3 hrs drive from the hotel. This village known as the Phobjikha Valley is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Kingdom. It is also the home to the rare black-necked crane that migrates from Tibet in the winter. Your car will drop you at the Monastery where you will visit the surrounding village and the monastery itself. You will then walk downhill to the valley floor where you will see the beautiful cranes dancing in the marshy ground while some are feeding themselves on the bamboo roots. The car will meet you at the valley and resume your drive to Trongsa. Lodging will be arranged at a deluxe hotel which provides the most excellent view of the valley.
DAY 07 (Feb 17th) TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
It takes less than two hours to cover the 44 miles for a direct drive. We start with our packed picnic lunch through the densely forested winding road that rises rapidly through a series of hairpin bends until you arrive at Yotong La Pass (3400 meters / 11200 foot). From here the drive is downhill until you arrive at Chumey Valley (average alt. 2700m / 8800 foot). Our first stop at Chumey will be to visit Domkhar Dzong, This small fortress overlooking the valley was once a summer Palace of the second King Jigme Wangchuk. Continue your drive to Tsugney village where you will see the traditional weaving of woolen fabrics. Continue your drive to Choekhor crossing the Kiki La Pass (2900 meters / 9500foot). Arrive at Choekhor Valley (Valley of Dharma Wheel). The rest of the day will be free for you to explore the small town of Chamkhar on your own. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 08 (FEB 18th) BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys-Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. Sightseeing in the valley of Chokhor will involve walking almost throughout the day. Begin your hike from your Lodge to the Temple of Jambay Lhakhang through the scattered and clustered village of Jakar. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, built this temple in the 7th century. Your next stop will be Chakar Lhakhang, which was built in the 8th century. This House was a castle of the King Sindhu Raja who used to rule the Bumthang Valley. Continue your hike to Kurjey monastery, it is here, the great Tantric saint Padmasambhava had meditated and subdues a local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Continue your hike north and cross the Chamkhar River you will arrive at Tamshing Lhakhang. Terton Pemalingpa built this temple in the 1500s. Your final stop of the hiking will be at Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in the 7th century. From here you will drive to the Apple and Cheese factory. Your next stop will be at the small town of Chamkhar. The car will drop you near the bridge from where you will stroll through the small half-kilometer town and return back to lodge.
DAY 09 (FEB 19th) BUMTHANG – TRONGSA
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa, at Trongsa we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong situated on a spur overlooking the Mangde River. After the Dzong if time permits we will walk to the hotel, which will take about 30 minutes. Lunch will be served here. After lunch we will drive south to Kungarabten Palace. This place had served as the winter palace for 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk. We can take a walk up hill to visit the nunnery which houses over 70 nuns. The day ends with an evening drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10 (FEB 20th) TRONGSA – PUNAKHA
After breakfast you will visit the ancient tower overlooking the Trongsa valley. Visit the small Temple of Gesar, the hero of a great epic, however, be prepared for the climb up the ladder like steps that take you to the Temple. Stroll the small town of Trongsa and after lunch resume your journey back to Punakha retracing the road you had come into Trongsa. There will be several stops for you to take pictures of the landscape and anything else that attracts your already picture full mind. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11 (FEB 21st) PUNAKHA - PARO
After breakfast resume your journey to Paro. Crossing Dochula Pass you will arrive at Simtokha dzong, visit the old fortress, now used as the Institute for traditional studies for laymen and women. Continue your drive to Paro, lunch will be served here. After lunch, you will be out sightseeing Paro valley. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 12 (FEB 22nd) DEPART PARO BHUTAN |
Bhutan had in the past defended its sovereignty through ways of skillful mediation, war, and other means of defense strategy. Punakha festival depicts one of such victories, which have resulted in what Bhutan is today. Our trip coincides with the sacred pageantry and dance festival, which commemorates the great victory over the invading of Tibetan troops in the 17thcentury. The festival begins with colorful mask dances and ends with grand procession that dramatizes the Bhutanese troops marching into the battlefield against the Tibetan troops. 
