11 DAYS/ 10 NIGHTS - BHUTAN INTENSIVE

(PARO - THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - WANGUDEPHODRANG - TRONGSA - BUMTHANG - GANGTEY VALLEY - THIMPHU PARO)

 

Day 01: BANGKOK - PARO                                     

You will be picked up by your guide at the airport Tashi Khadar and transfer to your hotel. Today you visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Located below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. Here you can see finest example of Bhutanese architecture. Enroute visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. In the evening drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). Dinner and overnight in Paro.

 

DAY 2: PARO -  TIGER NEST - THIMPHU                                                

After early breakfast atart your excursion to the Tiger's Nest (Taktsang Monastery). After breakfast a short drive takes you to Satsam Chorten, from there a 1 hr. walk till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Stop for a rest and  have light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. 

After lunch drive to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, “The Father of Modern Bhutan”. Then visit Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit Changkha Monastery (This monastery was built in 15th century by the lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo) where the new born child of Thimphu valley are taken to receive 1st blessing from a High Lama. Drive to Mini Zoo where Takin, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region and the head of this animal looks like that of a goat and body of a cow/yak and before sun set drive to Sangay gang view point (2685 meters) to have view of whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that dot the hill over looking the Thimphu valley. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

 

DAY 3: THIMPHU                                                                                 

After breakfast, visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).Enjoy visiting different class rooms, where students follow a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and progresses through painting, wood and slate curving, and statue making. Continue from here to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicine is prepared according to ancient practices. Proceed to the Handicraft Emporium with its displays of Bhutanese weaving, etc.

After lunch hike to the Tango Monastery. The trail Tango is a climb of 280 meters and it takes an hour to reach the monastery. Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the monastery in 12th century. The present building was built in 15th century by the “Divine madman”. This is one of the best places for meditation.

In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). In 1216 the lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa built Dohon (Blue Stone) Dzong on the hill above Thimphu Where Dechen Phodrang now stands. A few years later Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu line age to Bhutan, took over Dohon Dzong. In 1641 the Zhabdrung (The one who unified the country) acquired the dzong from the descendants of lama Phajo and renamed it as Trashi Chhoe Dzong. He then arranged to house both monks and civil officials in the same Dzong. Right now it is the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

 

DAY 4: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA                                                                  

After early breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, where you can see 108 Bhutanese Stupas. If the weather is clear you can see all Himalays Ranges with all snow covered. Further drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is situated between the two rivers and it is one of the biggest rivers in Bhutan. We have to walk through the suspension bridge to reach the Dzong. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening enjoy a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. (This monk is known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “The Temple of Fertility”. Sterile women from far and wide come to this Temple to get blessed and an article about this temple also appeared in newspaper, The Washington Post some years back.  The symbols of fertillity are undoubtably not to be overssen. Dinner and over night in Phunakha.

 

DAY 5: PUNAKHA – WANGDUEPHODRANG – TRONGSA

After early breakfast, drive toTrongsa. Enroute  enjoy the vies of the valley of Wangdiphodrang:  you visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers.

Drive further and cross over Pelela Pass at 3250 meters. Lunch will be at Chendebji Restaurant. Visit the Chendebji Monastery. This Monastery is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century by Lama Shida, from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed at this spot. Dinner and overnight in Trongsa.

 

DAY 6: TRONGSA                                                                                   

After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Visit also Ta Dzong (Previous watch Tower to the Dzong) and have the view of whole Trongsa valley including Dzong. Enjoy a short hike to the village and have some great photo shots done. In the later afternoon, explore on your own the small town of Trongsa. Dinner and overnight in Trongsa.

 

DAY 07: TRONGSA - BUMTHANG                                                                

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang via Yongtala Pass and Kilakha Pass. In Bumthang visit a Bhutanese Carpet Factory, where they use Yak and Sheep wool as well as pure silk to weave carpets and  Bhutanese Textiles. Lunch at Chamkhar Valley. After lunch visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White the Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667. Continue  to Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. In the the later afternoon explore t Bumthang on your own. Dinner and Overnight in Bumthang.

 

DAY 8: BUMTHANG                                                                                

After breakfast, visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. Proceed to Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. In the evening, visit Membarstho which  means, “The burning Lake”. Dinner and overnight in Bumthang.

 

DAY9: BUMTHANG - TRONGSA - GANGTEY VALLEY 

After early breakfast drive to Wangdiphodrang via Gangtey. Lunch at Gangtey valley whic is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of the Himalayas. Visit Gangtey Gompa from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. These cranes are very rare and endangered and highly protected by the Government. They fly to Phobjikha valley which is their winter habitat. They circle three times in a clock-wise direction around the Gangtey Gompa as a reverence to the Monastery before landing in the valley. They repeat the same practice before flying back to Tibet in early Spring. You can watch the cranes. Enroute we will stop in different places for the photography and have the view of different valleys. Dinner and overnight in Wangdiphodrang.

 

DAY 10: WANGDUEPHODRANG - THIMPHU - PARO                                      

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and visit Simthokha Dzong. It is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. Bhutanese Traditional paper making Factory. After lunch drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight in  Paro.

 

DAY 11: PARO - BANGKOK/DEPARTURE

After breakfast drive to the Airport and farewell.