Day
1: Arrive Paro
Your experience to Bhutan starts with the flight to Paro
crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views
of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and
Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival at the airport
Indian Horizons representative would welcome you and
transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon with Indian
Horizons English Speaking Guide visit the Paro Dzong, built
in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious
institutions, as do all the dzongs (forts) currently. You'll
cross a traditional wooden bridge on the way to the dzong.
You can then tour the National Museum, formerly the
watchtower for the dzong. It now houses a collection of fine
arts, paintings, thankas, statues, and antiques. Afterward
you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the
country. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro
market and town. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery,
which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is
said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye
Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang
Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep
cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach
the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day
excursion. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the evening you
can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and absorb the
lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting
handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: In Thimphu
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten
(built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned
from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower
(for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong),
and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan:
the takin. From there you will visit the nunnery temple, the
National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the
School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting
school). After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National
Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper
factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong (the
oldest fortress in the kingdom). Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu - Wangduephodrang
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a
stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a
clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.
After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of
Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both
for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and
also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.
On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina
Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to
Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may
receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Overnight
in Wangduephodrang.
Day 5: Wangduephodrang - Trongsa
After breakfast you'll drive to Trongsa, the ancestral home
of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular
winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at
certain times of year it's possible to see yaks. You can
browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon.
Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 6: Trongsa - Bumthang
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece
of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the
watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you'll
proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation,
with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will
stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the
yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and
you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. The
afternoon will be spent sightseeing in the area, including
Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; the
Udee woodcarving factory in Jakar; Jambey Lhakhang, one of
the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the
introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurjey Lhakhang, one
of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche left his
body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. You can
spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight
in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang
Bumthang consists of four valleys--Chumey, Choekhar, Tang,
and Ura--with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters.
It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and
monasteries. Day excursion to Ura Valley. The road to Ura
Valley is off the main road, and this enjoyable excursion
will provide a nice view of the Jakar Dzong. You'll make a
stop in Ura village for lunch and will have a chance to
visit the main temple and explore the village. Ura Village
has a medieval look to it because of the cobblestone
streets, and the typical clothing of the women includes a
sheepskin shawl. On the way back to town, you will be taken
to Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's
treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous
treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to
meditate.
You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a
treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings,
and you will make a stop at the Swiss cheese factory. In the
evening you can visit local shops. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang - Gantey
You will begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass
through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and
arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa,
the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey,
you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as
Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked
cranes. Overnight in Gantey.
Day 9: Trek Begins. Gantey -
Gogona (distance 15km, time 6-7 hours)
The trail begins from Phobjika Valley, through meadows, and
then through a mixed forest of rhododendron, bamboo,
juniper, and magnolia. You reach Tsele La (pass) at 3,440,
and after crossing some meadows, you will descend to a
valley. There will be a short climb to the camp at Gogona.
Nearby is a small village where you can drink some homemade
arra. The women in this village are known for the woven
blankets they make. Altitude 3,100m.
Day 10: Gogona - Khothangkha
(distance 16km, time 6-7 hours)
The trail goes gently uphill. You will notice the daphne
plants, from which the Bhutanese make traditional paper (and
which you can purchase in Thimphu). After a long, but
gradual climb, you will cross Shobju La (pass) at 3,410m.
The trail is downhill from here. You will pass an old coal
mine and a miner's camp. Eventually you will come to Chorten
Karpo, where you will see four chortens in honor of the four
chief a bbots who came from this area. The camp is near the
four chortens. Altitude 2,790m.
Day 11: Trek Ends. Khothangkha -
Tikke Zampa (distance 12km, time 5 hours)
After a steep, but short, climb you will reach Tashi La
(pass) at 2,800m. The descent will take you through a
variety of vegetation, including rhododendron, ferns,
magnolias, and sometimes orchids. This area is known for its
spectacular bird-watching. You will eventually descend to
the road, where your driver will meet you to take you to
your hotel, where you can freshen up before dinner.
Overnight in Wangduephodrang.
Day 12: Wangduephodrang - Paro
Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and
shopping. In the afternoon, you will continue the drive to
Paro. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse
and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 13: Depart Paro
It’s time to say good-bye to Bhutan. In time transfer to the
airport for your flight back home with Memories and Wish to
visit Bhutan once again.
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