Itinerary

Bhutan - A Cultural & Festival Tour

Land Tour Itinerary - September 2010 - 12 Days

 

 

Day 1 - Bangkok To Thimphu Via Paro

Arrival in Paro by Druk Air KB 121 departing Bangkok at 05:40 hours and landing at Paro at 09:10 hours. Transfer to Thimphu. 65 Km/2 hours. The drive from Paro to Thimphu follows the Paro River till its confluence with the Thimphu River from which point you will take the road along the Thimphu river valley till the Capital town.

Check in to hotel in Thimphu and rest till lunch time.

After lunch, sightseeing in Thimphu:
- Visit the Textile Museum
- Visit Sangay Viewpoint to get an aerial view of Thimphu
- Visit the Takin Zoo to see the strange beast that is a cross between a goat and a cow

Evening: Dinner at Sonam's residence (owner of Rainbow Tours)
Overnight: Hotel

Day 2 - Thimphu

Morning drive 12 Km North of Thimphu town for half an hour till the base of Tango Hill through it is 45 minute hike to Tango Monastery. This is a renowned Buddhist College and is also the residence of the Druk Desi Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye, who is the reincarnate of the 16th-century monk who built Tango. "Tango" means horse-head named after the horse-head-like rock formation on the side of the temple.

You can photograph distant monasteries through a forest of colorful prayer flags and the interior courtyard of the monastery.

Return to Thimphu for lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon:
- Visit the Farmer's Market
- Visit the Zilukha Nunnery above Thimphu town
- Visit Dechenphodrang Monastic School, get a glimpse of the life of young monks

Evening: Visit the Trashichhodzong Courtyard which houses the Secretariat Building the residence of the Chief Abbot.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 3 - Thimphu To Punakha

Drive from Thimpu to Punakha-view Dochu Lo Pass, Punakha Dzong, Khamsun Yuelly Chorten

Overnight: hotel in Punakha

Day 4 - Punakha To Trongsa

After breakfast, leave for the drive (5-6 hrs) to Trongsa. On this route, you will also make numerous stops to photograph yaks and their herders, alpine flowers, lovely picturesque villages, and other roadside and panoramic scenes. The route crosses Pele La (3420m), which is marked by a chorten and an array of prayer flags. If the weather is clear you should see Mt. Jhomolhari (7177 m) and other peaks from the pass, which marks the boundary between western and central Bhutan as well as the western border of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Beyond Pele La is Longte Valley where people raise sheep and yaks. The houses here are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat.

Continue to drive down through rhododendron trees and ferns to Chendebji village. This was a night halt for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the Reign of the 2nd King of Bhutan. Just below Chendebji village is the Chendebji chorten, a large white structure beside a stream. This chorten is modeled after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century. The last village before Trongsa is Tangsibji, which affords a full view of Trongsa Dzong and its distinctive red roof.

In the evening, you will visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong which represents Bhutan's link with its historical monarchy since it is the ancestral home of the first King of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuk. This is also the investiture site for future kings ascending the Golden Throne of Bhutan.

Also visit the Royal Museum above the Trongsa Dzong.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 5 - Trongsa To Bumthang

Leave Trongsa for Jakar in the central district of Bumthang, a 4-5 hour drive to the East. On the way, you will go over Yotongla Pass (3425m) and get your first glimpse of the Black Mountains. You can also make numerous stops to photograph yaks and their herders, alpine shrubs and plants, lovely picturesque villages, and other roadside and panoramic scenes. This drive between Trongsa and Bumthang is the most scenic and exciting leg of your journey into the clouds, as you cross rivers and streams and pass a chorten with water-driven prayer wheels and colorful rock carvings.

An hour outside of Bumthang, just after crossing the Yotongla pass, you make your first sighting of the golden-roofed Jakar Dzong, known as the Castle of the White Bird, with the Chamkar River cascading in one continuous waterfall down through the valley beneath.

Check into a lodge and taste some traditional Bumthap dishes for lunch.
Afternoon take a tour of some of the local dzongs and temples:

Jakar Dzong
Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the Third Druk Desi in 1646 AD. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the Fourth Desi, in 1683 AD. "Desi" means temporal ruler appointed by Shabdrung. It is probably the biggest Dzong in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km. in circumference. The central tower (Uchhi) is about 150 ft. high.

Kurjey Lhakhang
This is one of the most important temples in Bhutan which was the first site visited by Guru Rimpoche in Bhutan in the 8th Century. It was from this place that Buddhism spread in the country. The body imprint where Guru Rimpoche meditated to subdue the local demon, Shelging Karpo, can still be seen today at this holy place. There are now three main temples and 108 small stupas surrounding them.

Jambay Lhakhang
Located in the heart of Chokor Valley. This is one of the oldest temples in the country built around the 7th century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Geombo.
Overnight: Lodge

Day 6 - Bumthang

Today do a day trip to Ugyenchholing Palace in Tang valley in the Eastern most part of the Bumthang District. Drive 27 Km along an unpitched road to the terminal point of the road head at Kisum bridge at the base of the hill of Ugygenchholoing. Take a walk up the hill for about 45 minutes to the Palace which provides a spectacular view of Tang Valley. The Ugyenchholing Palace now houses the Family Museum, a place that will transport you to another world and time. You will view permanent exhibits recreated to capture the ambience of the lifestyle of the Trongsa Penlop (Governor) Tshokey Dorji and his household.

Lunch will be served at the guest house in the Palace.

After lunch: walk one hour down-hill to Kishum bridge where your transportation will be waiting to drive you back.
Evening: Stroll in Jakar town and meet the local people.
Overnight: Lodge

Day 7 - Bumthang To Wangdue Via Phobjekha

Make an early start for Phobjekha valley today. Your drive will cross Jakar and Chumey and on to Trongsa over the Yotongla Pass. from Trongsa you will follow the highway towards Wang due. From Nobding, 47 Km before reaching Wangdue, you will branch off on a 13 Km unpaved road crossing over the Gangtey la, 3140 m, to the Phobjekha Valley that falls within the Black Mountain National Park.

Information about Phobjekha Valley
Phobjekha is a glacial valley on the periphery of the north western tip of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley is a conservation area and lies on the northern boundary of the Jowo Durshing range. People sometimes refer to the entire region as Gangtey after the name of the Gangtey Goenpa that is situated on a ridge overlooking the Phobjikha valley. According to legend that the Gangtey Goenpa was founded by the grandson (the mind incarnation) of Pema Lingpa, Gyalse Pema Thinley in 1613 and which was later expanded by Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. The Phobjikha valley is also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes (Grus nigri collis) that migrate each year in winter from its northern Habitats in Tibet and Siberia to this valley.

Visit the Gangtey Goenpa monastery and explore the village of Gangtey
Evening drive 2 hours to Wangdue
Overnight: Hotel

Day 8 - Wangdue To Thimphu * dates to be advised (usually in mid September)

See the first day of the Wangdue Festival. The festival will be held in the Wangduephodrang Dzong.

Evening: Drive to Thimphu re-crossing the Dochula Pass.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 9 - Thimphu To Haa

Early morning drive to Haa valley. (75 Km/ 4-5 hours)

Haa is western-most valley in Bhutan bordering on the Tibet region of China. The valley is traversed by the Haa Chhu (river) and its characteristic features are the three almost conical shaped hillocks considered to be holy by the local people - the first hillock is dedicated to Ap Chhundu, the supreme local protective deity of Haa.

Attend the second day of the Haa Festival.
Overnight: Guest House

Day 10 - Haa

Attend the last day of the Haa Festival.

After lunch in local restaurant, explore Haa Valley and visit it's unique temples, farm houses. Walk North from Haa township to Katso village and beyond along the valley.

Evening: Return to Haa town.
Overnight: Guest House

Day 11 - Haa To Paro

Morning drive to Paro. (60 Km. /2 hours' drive). The drive takes a gentle uphill climb through forests of blue pine, fir, oak and rhodendrons till the Chelila Pass. The Chelila Pass is at an elevation of 3810 m. and it provides a panoramic view of The northern and western Himalayan Mountain ranges as well as Haa and Paro Valleys. Stop at the Pass and hike along the ridge to see the view. From the Chelila Pass it is drive downhill for 36 Km. to the Paro valley.

In Paro check into hotel and refresh yourself. Take a hike to Taktshang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest'. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 m. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambbava alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Picnic Lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs.

On return from Taktshang drive up the valley to visit the Drugyel Dzong - ruined fortress. The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. On a clear day this spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Jumolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (Alt. 7329 m).

Evening visit a farm house for a 'hot stone bath' and traditional hospitality.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 12 - Paro To Bangkok

Transfer to Paro Airport for flight to Bangkok by Druk Air 124 departing Paro at 10:55 hours and arriving Bangkok...connecting with International flight home (Flights to be advised)

END OF TOUR / OUR SERVICES

Call 800-423-9566 for rates and exact dates for festival.