DAY 01 (Jan 03rd) ARRIVE PARO
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 your hotel, rest of the day free for you to explore Paro on your own and to acclimatize. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02 (Jan 04th) 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. In the evening we will drive to Thimphu the capital city (2500 meter / 8200 ft), which will take you about one and half hour. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 (Jan 05th) THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Today you can began your day with late breakfast. The sightseeing of the valley includes, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, established in 1988, to preserve the traditional healing methods and to develop the efficiency by taking advantage of the modern methods and equipment. You will visit next the School of Arts and Crafts, commonly known as the Painting School. This school offers an eight-year course, which provides the instruction in many of Bhutan’s traditional arts. Visit the National Library, established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Bhutanese texts. Return back to hotel for lunch. After lunch you will visit the Memorial Chorten, this large Tibetan –style stupa was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the Third King, Jigme Dorje Wangchuk. This four-story stupa houses various shrines inside. You will drive north to Motithang for a view of the Thimphu Valley. On your way back you will visit the small zoo which houses the Bhutan’s National animal, Takin. Drive to Drupthob Lhakhang (Nunnery Monastery). Return back to hotel for overnight.
DAY 04 (Jan 06th) 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, we retire to the hotel arranged for the night.
DAY 05 (Jan 07th) PUNAKHA - TRONGSA
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 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. We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, 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.) With 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, in order to nail into the ground a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge, built this Chorten or Stupa in 18th century. We will have our packed lunch here. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many miles and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Arrive Trongsa and overnight at Lodge.
DAY 06 (Jan 08th) TRONGSA ATTEND THE FESTIVAL
After breakfast you will drive to Trongsa Dzong and attend the festival. We have whole day for witnessing the masked dances and the fair around the monastery ground. Meet the local people and exchange information or make a life long friend. Overnight at lodge.
DAY 07 (Jan 09th) TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
After breakfast we will drive to the Dzong and witness the unfurling of the giant silk Thangkha (religious scroll) which is believed to have the power of liberating you from the cycle of life by seeing this scroll. After the Thongdrol we will start the drive to Bumthang. It takes less than two hours to cover the 44 miles for a direct drive. We will continue our journey with sightseeing en route and making us to arrive at Choekhor valley by lunchtime. 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. From Trongsa the road 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). Arrive at Choekhor Valley (Valley of Dharma Wheel). Check into your hotel.
DAY 08 (Jan 10th) SIGHTSEEING OF BUMTHANG & DRIVE TO TRONGSA
A bumpa is an oblong-shaped lustral water vase and Bumthang means (Bum - lustral water vase and Thang- Ground) ‘the ground shaped like a bumpa’. Bumthang is considered the holiest valley in Bhutan, many Bhutanese from all over the country visit here on pilgrim to pay their respect and to be blessed by the many holy sites where in ancient times various religious masters have meditated. Our sightseeing today will be followed in the style of Bhutanese tradition that is in clockwise. Your car will drop you at the Kurjey Lhakhang, it is believed that in the eighth century guru Padmasambhava had meditated here and subdued the local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Begin your hike from here crossing the suspension bridge and visit Padmasambhava Lhakhang. This is another Meditation site of Guru Padmasambhava. It was founded by Pema Lingpa in 15th century and was restored by the Grand Queen Mother of present King.
Continue your hike to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in beginning of the 16th century by Saint Pema Lingpa. Next you will visit Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in the 8th century, the Temple is famous for its bell, which bears an inscription from the eighth century. Your car will pick you up from here and drive to your lodge, after loading your baggage, drive to Trongsa. Overnight at Lodge.
DAY 09 (Jan 11th) TRONGSA – PHOBJIKHA - PUNAKHA
After breakfast begin your journey to Phobjikha through the winding road crossing the Pele La Pass. After about thirty minutes of driving from the Pass, we will leave behind the highway and take a small diversion road which will take us into the huge open valley of Phobjikha at 3000 meters / 9840 ft. where the best potatoes of the nation is grown. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and the valley floor is quite marshy in places. For several years, the cultivation of potatoes has brought a certain degree of prosperity to the peasants. Phobjikha is also the chosen home of the rare black-necked crane which migrates from Tibet to escape its harsh winters. It is here that the largest monastery of Nyingma School in Bhutan is located. Its lineage seat holder is known as the Gangtey Tulku and is the ninth reincarnation of the Gangtey lineage. Your car will drop you at the first house of the village, you will hike through the village to the monastery. From monastery you will hike downhill observing the crane. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 10 (Jan 12th) 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 lay men and women. Continue your drive to Thimphu, lunch will be served here. After lunch resume your journey to Paro, en route visit the 15th Century Tamchogang Temple. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11 (Jan 13th) EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY.
After breakfast your car will drop you at the starting point of the excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s lair). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike (if not tired) for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. Return back to hotel and evening on leisure
DAY 12 (Oct 14th) FLY BACK TO BANGKOK / DELHI / KATHMANDU
Morning drive to Paro International Airport for departure onwards. |
Trongsa, situated along a gorge in the heart of the kingdom has a rich history dating back to 16th century. During the year 1541, a saint known as Lam Ngagi Wangchuk built a small retreat house, which was soon followed by many other retreat houses built by his disciples. The surrounding villagers seeing the area turning into a small village, started naming the place as Trongsar meaning, new village. Since then the place was known as Trongsa. It was in 1644 that Chhogyel Minjur Tenpa under the command of Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal built the fortress in its present form. About 300 years later Ugyen Wangchuk was unanimously elected as the hereditary king of Bhutan, during which Trongsa served as the capital of the nation until the 3rd King moved it to Thimphu. Since then Bhutan have enjoyed peace, stability and economic growth. 
