Day 1 (4 April, Friday): Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains , affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan . On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you can visit the Paro Dzong. It was 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. Afterward you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there you will be taken to the Drukgyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan 's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari , Bhutan 's second-highest mountain at 7,329 meters, from the village below the Dzong. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2 (5 April, Saturday): Paro (Hike to Tiger's Nest)
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 . Lunch would be served in the hotel on the way. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 3 (6 April, Sunday): Paro - Punakha
After early breakfast you will drive or ride on bikes on several stretches of road till you stop en route for lunch at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountains . Start biking downhill from the Dochula Pass till you reach Punakha. It is an exhilarating ride. Check into hotel in Punakha. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 4 (7 April, Monday): Punakha Rafting
After break fast, hike through a forest of pines and farmlands along the bank of Pho Chu River for about 2 hours till you reach Samdhingkha (put in). Your rafting crew will be waiting here for you. Then start rafting along the Pho Chu River coming across stretches of Class II and IV rapids. Upon arriving at a beach-like stretch of sand, some distance from a Chorten, you will be served lunch on the sandy embankment. The post-lunch rafting session will continue till you reach the relatively placid section of the river below the Punakha Dzong. After tea, drive to Gangtey through the forests of oak, rhododendron, and bamboos. Overnight hotel in Gangtey.
Day 5 (8 April, Tuesday): Gangtey-Gogona (15 km, 6/7 hours) Trek begins:
Trek commences today. The trail winds up on a slow climb through meadows and fields and then ascends the Tselela pass (3,400m), which is also your lunch stop. Then it descends gradually for some time through forests of junipers, bamboo, magnolias and rhododendrons. After the last short climb, you reach Gogona village. The people of Gogona were originally nomads and they speak a language called Bjopkha (language of nomads). Overnight: Camp.
Day 6 (9 April, Wednesday): Gogona-Khotokha (16 km, 6/7 hours):
The trail winds up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of firs, oaks, spruce, rhododendron, cypress and junipers. Along and gradual climb leads to Shobjula pass (3,400m), later the path leads down to a wide valley of Khotokha, a summer place of people of Sha (Wangdiphodrang district). Overnight: Camp.
Day 7 (10 April, Thursday): Khotokha-Chazam (12 km, 5 hours) Trek ends
A short ascend leads to a pass then the path descends steeply through ever changing vegetation till the bridge in Wangdiphodrang. Your trek ends here. Your car will be waiting here for transfer to Trongsa. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.
Day 8 (11 April, Friday): 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. After crossing a high pass, guests can bike all the way to Bumthang. The road is broad and all downhill after the pass. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 9 (12 April, Saturday): Bumthang
Day excursion to Tang Valley . Tang valley is the most remote valley in Bumthang, and this will make a nice enjoyable excursion. You'll make a stop in Tang valley for lunch and will have a chance to visit the Ugyen Chholing Palace and explore the village. On the way back to town, you will see 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. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 10 (13 April, Sunday): Bumthang - Punakha
Morning visit to Jambay Lhakhang, the monastery built in 7 th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, Tamshing Lhakhang, located on opposite side of the river is important place to visit, housing interesting religious paintings. Drive to Punakha with lunch en route. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 11 (14 April, Monday): Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong (the summer residence of mink bodies). After that ride on bikes for about 12 km to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is situated on a beautiful hillock, called Nizergang. It houses the paintings that belong to Nyingmapa Traditions. Ride back to Punakha for lunch. After lunch drive to Thimphu, and on the way stop at Metshina Village and walk across the rice field for about 20 minutes to visit Chime Lhakhang (the Temple dedicated to Devine Madman). Check into hotel in Thimphu . In the evening stroll freely in town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu .
Day 12 (15 April, Tuesday): Thimphu Hike
In the morning you can hike to Tango Monastery, which was built by the "Divine Madman" in the 15th century. It's a center of study for monks, and it affords a great view of the Thimphu Valley . On the grounds of the monastery is a "sin-testing" tunnel--it is said that if you have sinned, you will get stuck in the tunnel, and if you are without sin, you will go through with ease! After lunch, you can hike to Cheri Monastery, which was built in 1620 and housed the first monk body. The Shabdrung father's ashes are contained inside the monastery. Overnight hotel in Thimphu .
Day 13 (16 April, Wednesday): Thimphu - Paro
In the morning, you will visit Memorial Chorten, Changgangkha Monastery, Broadcast tower for the great view of Thimphu Valley, Mini zoo to see Takins - the national animal of Bhutan. Then also visit Nunnery Temple, School of Arts and Crafts (where 13 arts & crafts of the country is kept alive), National Library (has collection of ancient manuscrpits) and Folk Heritage Museum which gives an insight to a Bhutanese rural lives. After lunch, you will drive to Paro. You will tour the National Museum , which was formerly the watchtower for the Paro Dzong. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thangkas, statues, and antiques. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a hot-stone bath and a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 14 (17 April, Thursday): Depart Paro
After break fast drive to the airport for departure. |
