ITINERARY
Day 1 -
Paro – Thimphu
The
flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights.
One can see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other
peaks in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt.
Tsherimgang. The green wall of hills known as the doors, or gateways
into Bhutan from the plains climbs continually higher as down the
forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of
the inner Himalayas rise up to the sky. Your representative will receive
you at the airport and be your guide throughout your tour. Transfer to
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Check into hotel and free time to relax.
Drive to see the Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal of
Bhutan, the Takin which is a rare and bovid mammal that is only unique
to Bhutan. Drive further up to BBS tower to get a view of the Thimphu
valley. Fly your prayer flag which increases your luck and the prayers
carried by the wind to all the four directions. Briefing of the next
day’s program. Welcome dinner and overnight in Thimphu at hotel. – B/L/D
Day 2 –
Thimphu Sightseeing
Drive
to visit the National folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the
typical Bhutanese way of life. Tour the Traditional Painting School of
Arts & Crafts where children are taught centuries old craft. Visit the
Traditional Medicine Center, which prepares and dispenses traditional
herbal and other medicines.
The National Textile Museum is worth a leisurely visit to get to know
the living national art of weaving. It also features masterpieces from
the Royal Family of Bhutan, which has been donated by the Royal Family.
Visit the Bhutan Post renowned for its beautiful stamps where every
special event of the world is commemorated.
Evening: Visit
Tashichhodzong, its history is very old, dating back to the 13th
century, which houses His Majesty’s Throne Room and home to the Monk
Body. Overnight in Thimphu at hotel. – B/L/D
Day 3 -
Thimphu – Phobjikha
Departing Thimphu today we begin our journey towards central Bhutan. We
pass over 10,000ft Dochula Pass. We enjoy a photo stop here and view the
high Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Many prayer flags encircle us,
fluttering their prayer of peace and serenity. Here we will enjoy tea
and a snack. Lunch in restaurant in Wangue. After lunch visit the
Wangduephodrang Dzong and talk around the Wangdue township. Then resume
your journey to Phobjikha. Phobjikha one of the most beautiful open
valleys in the country. The valley is made a conservation spot by the
WWF as it is the breeding ground for the endangered black necked cranes
which migrate in the winter months. It is run on solar energy. Evening
explore Phobjikha valley. Overnight in Phobjikha at hotel. – B/L/D
Day 4 -
Phobjikha – Jakar/Bumthang
The
Black necked Cranes, Grus nigricollis, is the least known of the 15
species of cranes in the world. It was first discovered in 1876 by a
Russian naturalist, Prjezhwalsky in Lake Koko-nor in the northeast
corner of the Tibetan Plateau. Endemic to the Himalayan region, it has
been listed in the Red Data Book of the International Union for
Conservation of Nature as globally threatened with a total count of
5000-6000 individuals world wide.
Visit to the
Crane Observation and Education Centre, activities within the Centre is;
early morning crane observation and counting/ crane study using nature
trails. The Royal Society established the centre for Protection of
Nature (RSPN), the only NGO in the country. A place to see is Gangtay
Goenpa, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. Gyalse Pema Thinlay
built a small temple in 1613, which was later built into larger Goenpa
by the 2nd reincarnation Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. Villages, you
can take a day hike around the valley visiting villages and observing
the cranes during November – March. It is very scenic and mind soothing
hike that would provide you with rewarding surprises.
Then
drive to Jakar via
Pele la pass which lies at an altitude of 3,150 meters. This is a
wonderful opportunity for photographs. There will be plenty of stops to
take photos and for tea, coffee. Lunch in restaurant in Trongsa. After
lunch resume your journey to Bumthang. This is one of the most
spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here
the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds.
The Guru and his lineage of Tertons, treasure finders, have led to the
sprouting of many temples in the valley. This is a good opportunity for
photographs. Upon entering the Bumthang valley you will drive through
blue pine trees, beautiful clean stream along the roadside. Stop and
walk amidst fields of buckwheat, mustard and typical bamboo fences along
the farmlands. You may also see yaks along the road as they graze for
pastures in the lowlands during the winter months. Stop to see the Yatha
weaving center and see the weavers at work. The Yatha is produced in
this region. Check into Hotel and time at leisure. Overnight in Bumthang
in Guest House. – B/L/D
Day 5 -
Bumthang Sightseeing
Jampa
Lhakhang is believed to be built in 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen
Gampo. The central figure in the temple is Jampa, the Buddha of the
Future. Inside the primary chapel are three stone steps representing
ages. The first signifies the past, the age of the Historical Buddha
Sakyamuni. This step has descended into the ground and is covered with a
wooden plank. The next age is the present and its step is level with the
floor. The top step represents a new age and when its sinks to the
ground level, the gods will become like humans and the world as it is
now will end. Each October one of the most spectacular festivals in
Bhutan, the Jampa Lhakhang Drup is staged here. On one evening, after
the Lama dances, the monastery is lit by a fire dance to bless infertile
women.
Visit the Kurjey Lhakhang: This temple is located above Jambay
Lhakhang and consists of three temples. The one on the right was built
in 1652 on the rock face where Guru meditated in the 8th century. The
second temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the
imprint of Guru’s body and is considered the most holy. The present
Royal Queen Mother recently built the third temple. These three temples
are surrounded by 108 chhorten wall symbolic of each joint of the human
body.
Walk to see Tamshing temple, which was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema
Lingpa, the re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery has very
interesting religious paintings like 11000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female
form of Bohhisatava). The temple was restored at the end of the 19th
century.
Next visit the
Jakar Dzong, “castle of the white bird”. According to legend, when the
lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big
white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill.
This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as
the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong. The fortress is now used
as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence of
Trongsa monks. Wangdichholing Palace was built in 1857 on the site of a
battle camp of the Penlop of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal. It was the first
Palace that was not designed as a fortress. His son King Ugyen Wangchuk,
chose it as his principal residence.
Day 6 - Ura Day Excursion
Ura village is believed to be the home of the earliest
inhabitants of Bhutan. The village lies south east of Jakar, which is
one and a half hour drive from Bumthang. One drives through forests and
the National Sheep breeding cneter. Enroute visit Mebartsho ‘the flaming
lake’ in the Tang valley. This is where Pema Lingpa found the treasures
hidden by Guru Rinpoche and thus became a terton, ‘a discoverer or
religious treasurer’. The Mebartsho is in fact, not a lake but a gorge
through which the river rushes. It is great pilgrimage site, visitors
launch small lighted lamps on the water. Images of Pema Lingpa and his
two sons have been carved on the rock. Resume your journey to Ura across
Shertang La (3590 m pass) with a magnificent view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum
(7541 m). Closely clustered houses are the characteristics of the
villages in Ura, which is a unique feature in the country. Above Ura
village a new temple was inaugurated in 1986 dedicated to Guru Rimpoche
and contains paintings of the cycle of his teachings. Drive back to
Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang in Guest House. – B/L/D
Day 7 - Bumthang – Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha. On route visit the Trongsa Dzong.
Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa
Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the
Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. Lunch on route at
local restaurant in Chendebji. After lunch resume your journey to
Punakha. Overnight in Punakha at Deluxe Tented Camp. – B/L/D
Day 8 – Punakha
Morning rafting over the mochu river. Lunch at the camp. After lunch
visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, the second of Bhutan’s dzongs. For
many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of
the government. It is the winter residence of the monastic order’s
leader and his entourage of monks, and was built in 1637 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal. Inside the Dzong is the set of the 108 volumes of
Kanjur – holy book of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, written in gold.
Bhutan’s most treasured possession is the Rangjung Kharsapani, a self
created image of Chenrigzig which is described by Shabdrung as a
treasure as vast as the sky. Take a short walk to see the Chimi Lhakhang,
built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 1499. He subdued the demoness of the
Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A wooden effigy of the
Lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the temple, and childless women go to
the temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the Saint. Overnight in
Punakha at Deluxe Tented Camp. – B/L/D
Day 9 - Punakha
Afternoon hike to Choeten Nyingpo. It’s a moderate 90 minutes walk
through the broad leafed forests. It offers great views of the upper
Punakha valley and terraced rice fields. Picnic lunch by the Mo chu
(river). After lunch visit the YANA farmhouse (Exclusive
Arrangement) which will offer a closer look at the country’s
unique culture that dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all
guests, even to perfect strangers. Try traditional Bhutanese archery and
you guide will assist you. Evening at leisure at the camp. Overnight in
Punakha at Deluxe Tented Camp. – B/L/D
Day 10
– Punakha – Paro
Drive
back to Paro. On the way see Tachogang Temple or the “Temple of the Hill
of Excellent Horse” which rises in austere surroundings on the left bank
of the river, a few km before Chhuzom at the confluence of the Paro and
Thimphu rivers. A Tibetan Saint had a vision of the excellent Horse
Balaha – an emanation of Avalokiteshwara while he was meditating there.
He decided thereupon to build a temple at this spot in addition to one
of his famous iron bridges (later carried away by floods in 1969). The
exact date of the temple’s construction is not certain, but it was
probably around the year 1433. Continue your journey to Paro. Lunch in
restaurant in town. After lunch visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the
finest natural Museum in South Asia, and is filled with antique thanka
paintings, textiles, weapons and Armour. Drive to see the Rinpung dzong,
built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong
is now used as an administration center and school for monks.
Visit Kyichu temple one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century
by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant
demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was
preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo
decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of
her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise
plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of
Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demoness.
Overnight in Paro at hotel. – B/L/D
Day 11
- Paro (Excursion To Taktshang Monastery)
Horseback riding to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) till
the Cafeteria (1 hours). Here we enjoy snacks and tea at the cafeteria
viewpoint and then do the next half no foot to the monastery. The
monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4,000
feet. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma
Sambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism, alighted here upon
the back of a tigress. Return to the cafeteria for lunch. After lunch
return to Paro.
Evening take a short walk to the nearby ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong
which was built in 1647 by the founder of Bhutan Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders, led by
Mongolian warlord, Gushri Khan in 1644. Strategically built over the
only passage into Paro valley, the dzong helped to repel numerous
invasions all through the course of Bhutanese history. It so impressed
the early visitors in 1914 that the dzong was featured on the cover of
the National Geographic Magazine. Overnight in Paro at hotel. – B/L/D
Day 12
- Paro – Departure
Early
morning your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight
onwards.
***IMPORTANT NOTE***
Itineraries are subject to change and are meant as a guideline only.
This tour is subject to revision due to weather, road or trail
conditions, government restrictions, unforeseen incidents and other
reasons beyond our control.
TOUR COST INCLUDES:
1.
Tourist standard
accommodation on twin sharing basis
2.
All meals as per
itinerary in regular tourist standard restaurants
3.
Transfer within
Bhutan – bus on group tours & smaller cars on individual tours
4.
The services of
knowledgeable English speaking guide licensed by Department of Tourism
5.
Entrance Fees to
museums, schools and Permits wherever necessary
6.
35 % Royalty taxes
(Development Taxes) to the Government
7.
Tourism Development
Fund (US$ 10 per visit)
8.
Visa Fees (US$ 20)
9.
Bhutan Bank Fees (US$
10)
TOUR
COST EXCLUDES:
1.
International Flights
into and out of Bhutan
2.
Excess baggage
(Allowance: 20 Kgs Economy Class
& 30 Kgs Business Class)
3.
Alcoholic and Bottled
Beverages
4.
Personal Expenses
(Telephone, Email, Laundry etc.)
5.
Surcharge of Luxury hotels like Amankora, Uma Paro, Zhiwa Ling
Hotel & Hotel Taj Tashi
6.
Any other special arrangements not included in the tariff
7.
Tips
*Note Regarding Single Supplement
Single
accommodations can not always be guaranteed in Bhutan, especially during
the busy festival season. If you want a single room, we will make
requests, but you may be asked to share for one or two nights if rooms
are tight (in which case a portion of your single supplement will be
reimbursed).
Economy Class Drukair Airfare (Subject
to change by the airline) - NET
US$ 784 (Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok)
US$ 430 (Calcutta/Paro/Calcutta)
US$ 690 (Delhi/Paro/Delhi)
US$ 424 (Katmandu/Paro/Katmandu)
Note Regarding Drukair Ticket
Drukair tickets must be paid for and issued at the time of your deposit.
If you cancel your trip 31 days or more prior to departure, there will
be a US$ 50 per person cancellation penalty for the Drukair tickets in
addition to the normal cancellation charges for land cost noted in our
terms and conditions. If you cancel 30 days or less prior to departure,
the Drukair ticket cost is non-refundable.
WHERE DOES TO
ROYALTY (DEVELOPMENT TAXES) GO?
With Bhutan Government's development
philosophy as GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS (GNH) crafted by His Majesty King
Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Bhutan known for it's good governance makes
proper and monitored use of the Royalty Taxes. Bhutan provides free
education and free health medical care to its people. In case of
emergency even foreign visitors can avail the health services for FREE.
YANA’S
GIVING BACK PROJECT:
We give some part of every individual tour
payment as a part of our project to sponsor monks from economically
disadvantaged families awaiting formal enrolment in Monastic Schools.
Under this project many monks will be enrolled and will receive proper
monastic education. This is being done in close association with the
Youth Development Fund (YDF - www.youthdevfund.gov.bt) founded by her
Majesty Azhi Tshering Pem Wangchuck to build funds for the youths of
Bhutan. We are proud to say that we are the only travel company in
Bhutan with such giving back projects. I personally believe in giving
back to the community from which I received numerous supports whilst
growing up & through adulthood. Sign up today and be a SPONSOR
too.
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