DAY 01 (Apr. 12th) ARRIVE PARO & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
Fly from Bangkok/Delhi/Kathmandu to Paro on Druk Air. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Bhutan’s snow capped peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to Thimphu the capital city (2500 meter / 8200 ft), which will take you about one and half hour. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 (Apr. 23th) THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, visit 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. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Return to hotel for lunch, after lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Dupthop Lhakhang (Monastery for the nuns) and other places of interest. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03 (Apr. 24th) THIMPHU-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 proceeding further to Punakha town we will take a short 30 minutes walk to the 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. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong (fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong had served as the capital seat of the Kingdom for about 300 years. After strolling through the town of Punakha retire back to hotel.
DAY 04 (Apr. 25th) PUNAKHA - TRONGSA
Today the drive to Trongsa is quite long and takes about 6 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang (1350m/4430ft). We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele La Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft), an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. The Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. A Lama known as Shida, built this Chorten in the 18th century in order to subdue a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge. We will have our packed lunch here. We will continue our journey towards Trongsa (alt. 2200m / 7220 ft). 19 Kms. / 12miles before arriving Trongsa you will begin seeing the view of the majestic Trongsa Dzong, which sits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view kind of teases you, making you wonder when you will arrive there. The night will be held at a fine Hotel in Trongsa which provides the most excellent view of the valley.
DAY 05 (Apr. 26th) 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 down the hill 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). Once we 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 06&07 (Apr. 27th & 28th) BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING & URA FESTIVAL
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. Your first day in Bumthang will be spent witnessing the ongoing Ura Festival, which is celebrated with performance of mask dances and folk dances.
Your second day in Bumthang includes the sightseeing in the of Choekhor valley. Begin your sightseeing by hiking from your Lodge to the Temple of Jambay Lhakhang through scattered and clustered villages of Jakar. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo, 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 subdued 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 1500s. Your final stop of the hiking will be at Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in 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 08 (Apr. 19th) BUMTHANG TO TRONGSA
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa and 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 will end with an evening drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09 (Apr 20th) TRONGSA – PHOBJIKHA – PUNAKHA.
Today you will make your journey back from the same route you came in until after driving approximately 100-120 KMs (60-75miles) before reaching to Nobding. A road branches off on the left and goes for 13 Kms (8 miles) through a forest of oak and rhododendron into the broad Phobjikha valley alias Gangtey valley. Alt. 3000 meters (9,840 feet) where Gangtey Monastery is located. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and the valley floor is quite marshy in places. Phobjikha is also the chosen home of the rare back-necked cranes which migrate from the Central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. The other side of the pass that overlooks the valley is a realm of high-altitude dwarf bamboo, the favorite food of yaks.
The Gangtey Monastery, is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. A large village inhabited mainly by the families of the monk surrounds the monastery. Continue your drive to Punakha by returning on the same route and connect into the East West highway. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10 (Apr 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 11 (Apr 22nd) PARO SIGHTSEEING
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. 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. If time permits, hike up the near by hill to get a panoramic view of the Paro Valley. Overnight at hotel. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
DAY 12 (Apr 23rd) DEPART PARO BHUTAN |
This trip allows the travelers to enjoy the daily lives of friendly Bhutanese people by visiting villages, temples, monasteries, and gigantic fortresses. It gives you a chance to meet people, enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts. We would be traveling through the less frequented areas of Bhutan. Our journey starts from Paro Valley where our flight from Bangkok will land and continue by road through the lush valley of Thimphu and to Punakha. Continue our overland journey to the enchanting valleys of Trongsa and Bumthang, which played a key role in influencing Bhutanese history, culture and religion. In the Bumthang valley we spend three nights to attend the Ura festival, celebrated at Ura village in Bumthang at an altitude of 10,000 feet. There is about 40-50 closely packed houses alongside cobblestone streets that give the village a medieval atmosphere. The festival is held in the temple overlooking the village. At this Ura Festival, Mask Dances are performed by lay person in brilliant costumes re-enacting the legendary events, accompanied by blaring horns, booming drums, and clashing cymbals as they whirl and leap around the courtyard. During the intervals, young women in their best of dress perform the folk dances that they believe is another way of offering which enables them to receive blessings and earn good karma. Crowds of people gather in their finest hand woven dress, brightly patterned cloth for which Bhutan is renowned, creating an intensely colorful and exciting atmosphere that had remained unchanged in its traditional purity for centuries. Local people attend this festival to be blessed and to earn good karma and are also an occasion to see people and to be seen. 
