Bhutan is the last Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom, and the teachings of this school of Buddhism are a living faith among its people. Spirituality exists even in the urban centers where the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps in the houses are still important features of their every day life. Bhutan's unique architecture is one of the most striking physical features; the colour of house and buildings is a distinct source of aesthetic pleasure. The Dzongs, which are 300 to 400 hundred years old, are built on a scale without the help of any drawings and hammering a single nail.
Bamboo,ornaments of gold and silver and highly developed weaving kills represent an advancedart form. Various cultural trips into Bhutan introduce visitors to the unique aspects of Bhutanese culture, including sacred masked dance festivals and pilgrimage sites.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro ( by Druk Air) - Thimphu. The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1 hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu - Wangdue - Gangtey. In the morning, we will visit the folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved though exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in it colors and designs. Also visit to Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory. After lunch, depart for Punakha, where the road climbs steeply though a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for a tea and view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. From here a gradual climb takes you into the valley of Gangtey (Phobjikha). Gangtey lies towards the East of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. These is and old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17 th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phojikha are described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate, Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang. Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is about 6 hours crossing over Pele La Pass (3300m) and Yotongla Pass (3400m). The Central Road, across the Black Mountains was completed 30years ago, and it bough about great changes to the people in central Bhutan. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3300m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between west and east Bhutan. If the weather is clear, the Himalayan range can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7314m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. After lunch, we go out to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the Dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We then drive to Bumthang valley (described as "one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas" across the Yotongla Pass (3400m), overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Bumthang. This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. In the morning we visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7 th century) and visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). ).hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) After lunch hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14 th century, on the way back visit Jakar Dzong, (seat of the district administration ). Evening stroll in Chamkhar Town. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Bumthang - Ura - Bumthang. After breakfast, we drive to Ura valley. At a distance of 42 kilometres from Bumthang, the road reaches the Ura Shelthangla, where there is a magnificent view in clear view of Bhutan's highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (7,500 m). The road then descends into Ura valley by long loops across fields and pastures. Ura's main occupation is raising sheep, yaks and the introduction of potato farming has brought a certain degree of prosperity of people. We visit Ura Lhakhang and picnic lunch will be served at one of the many inviting spots. Later in the afternoon drive back to Bumthang. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Bumthang - Wangdue- Punakha. The drive to Punakha via Wangdue takes about 7hours over the Pelela pass and Youtongla pass. Lunch served at Chendebji Chorten. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro. After breakfast, we drive to visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. After visiting Punakha Dzong drive to Thimphu over the Dochola Pass. Check in at hotel in Thimphu. After lunch visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; visit the Zilukha Nunnery, visit the National Library stocked with ancient manuscripts and collection of books and pay a visit to BBS tower to view Thimphu city and Takin Zoo (National Animal of Bhutan). Evening drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Paro valley sightseeing.
Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 km away from Paro town). The Dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. This spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (7329 m).Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse on the way back. A short distance south of the road is Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7 th century. This temple is said to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds down the left foot of an ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet. Also visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first temporal ruler of Bhutan, it is now houses of the Paro monastic body and the office of the Dzongda (governor ) and Thrimpon (Judge) of Paro district. It is the venue of the Paro Tsechu ( festival) held once every year. Then visit Ta Dzong an ancient watch tower. This Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Evening stroll through the main town of Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Paro - Hike to Taktsang.
Morning drive till Satsam Chorten to hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8 th century. After lunch at the café walk back to the road point where your car will pick you up and then drive to your hotel. Evening, do some last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Paro - Departure (by Druk Air).
In the morning our representatives from Country Travels will escort you to Paro International Airport and bid Good-bye and pleasant flight back home.
