Day 1: Arrive Paro
After you check in at Druk Air counter, you will board your plane for a spectacular flight into Bhutan. Ascending over the High Himalayan Mountains you view in awe the sacred Mount Jumolhari, "The Goddess Peak" and Jichu Drake. Excitement mounts following a descend in altitude over a large mountain ridge. You have arrived at Paro International Airport, Bhutan, altitude 7500ft. Your visa will now be processed. You are then received by Bhutan Travellers representative and transfer to hotel. Olathang hotel offers a cluster of artistic and colorful Bhutanese style cottages and restaurant. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. On the way back visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork. Evening visit quaint Paro town and enjoy dinner at a cozy local restaurant, followed by a stroll through town.
Day 2: Paro -Thimphu
Today drive to Thimphu, (2-hour drive) the capitol of Bhutan. Here you can exchange money at the bank as well as visit the post office to purchase collector item Bhutanese stamps, a must for any collector. We will check into Hotel Yeedzin, enjoy Bhutanese lunch cuisine and depart for an exhilarating afternoon. We will now drive to our path to embark on a vigorous hike up the mountain to Tango Monastery. Tango is one of Bhutanese' most important Buddhist colleges. Its name, meaning 'horse's head', is derived from the horse-head shaped rock at the top. It is a beautiful Dzong built in the 18h century by the 8th Druk Desi. Today Tango is home to the eight-year-old reincarnate Lama, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Overnight at Yeedzin.
Day 3: Thimphu - Punakha
Leave Thimphu to begin our drive to Central Bhutan across Dochula pass (10,500ft) to Wangdiphodrang. On a clear day you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Prayer flags flutter their message of peace and serenity. Rewarding photo opportunities. Dragon's Nest Hotel check in and lunch. Early afternoon visit the Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. Also the winter residence of the central monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 AD. Dinner and overnight at Dragons Nest Resort.
Day 4: Punakha - Bumthang
After an early breakfast we depart for Bumthang in Central Bhutan. A long drive on a scenic and breathtaking highway rewarded by a stop at the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family. Winding down the steep mountain road you begin to glimpse Trongsa Dzong from afar, and you wonder at this architectural wonder from afar. Built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, in 1648 it is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Views from here are extensive creating strategic location of this Dzong. Over the Dzong is the medieval Watchtower. This ancient structure gives unobstructed views of the valley, and it's winding river and roads. The Watchtower is located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong. Climb the ancient ladders to the top, as you view warrior armor and aging altars, immersing yourself in the presence unchanged within its walls. We will lunch in Trongsa town and continue to Bumthang.
Day 5: Tamshing Phala Festival
After breakfast, we hike to Tamshing and see the festival. Bhutanese from many different areas will gather to pay respect and to be blessed at this social gathering. Locals dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry. Attend this celebration of purification and religious blessings. Here we can truly appreciate the essence of Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture. Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt step". Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. We will join the local people and sit around the temple for picnic lunch. Watch for the Atsara (clown). This dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers. Overnight: Ugyenchholing Guesthouse.
Day 6: Bumthang
In the morning see the last day of the Festival. After lunch we will visit the visit the Ugyenchholing Palace, now housing 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. Bhutan's history unfolds. In the evening, we return to Jakar Valley for overnight at River Lodge where we can enjoy local wine "Ara" followed by delicious dinner.
Day 7: Bumthang
Enjoy early breakfast and drive Ura Valley. Ura is the highest valley in Bhutan and history tells of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan here. It is considered the holiest of all valleys. Cobblestone village roads between clusters of homes create a true mediaeval atmosphere. We will visit Ura Temple, with its unique temple and ancient masks, worn only at time of festival. Ura village is endearing to that entire visit. In the afternoon, we return to Jakar to visit the famous Jakar Dzong and the sacred temples of Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang. In the evening, we can visit the Swiss Farm where they make cheese and local beer. Bumthang has four of the most beautiful valleys - Ura, Tang, Choekhor and Chumey. Overnight: River Lodge.
Day 8: Bumthang - Gangtey
After an early breakfast, we drive to Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley (6-7 hrs). This is the winter habitat for black-necked cranes. These large beautiful and graceful birds migrate each year from Tibet and Siberia to Phobjikha Valley in Bhutan. Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains. No electricity or telephones are here so to keep the valley pristine for these rare birds. Punishment imposed on anyone injuring a Black Neck Crane is lifetime imprisonment. We will visit the Khebethang Nature Study Center to observe and learn more about the cranes. We overnight at Phuntsho Chholing guesthouse in Phobjikha Valley. October is the time of year best to view hundreds of endangered Black Neck Cranes. These large beautiful and graceful birds migrate each year from Tibet and Siberia to Phobjikha Valley in Bhutan. Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains. No electricity or telephones are here so to keep the valley pristine for these rare birds. Punishment imposed on anyone injuring a Black Neck Crane is lifetime imprisonment. We will visit the Khebethang Nature Study Center to observe and learn more about the cranes. We overnight at Phuntsho Chholing guesthouse in Phobjikha Valley.
Day 9: Begin trek: Gangtey - Gogona
The trek leaves the valley at 9,283 ft and leads south, then west through meadows and fields. It then climbs through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, rhododendron and magnolia. The trail is rough and rocky and weaves through trees where pack animals have made their path. After crossing Tsela La (11,282 ft) the trail crosses several meadows and then descends through forest to Gangtey. It is then a short climb to the camp at Gogona. A beautiful hilltop site overlooking a long valley. Nearby is Gogona Lhakhang, and dozen of Poles with prayer flags fluttering…a thirty minute walk from camp you Will come across a hamlet where you can buy wonderful Ara (a Bhutanese homemade drink guaranteed to make you forget those tired feet), as well as Bhutanese woven textiles and blankets. Here the nomadic Bhutanese people speak their own dialect, Bjop-kha.. Language of the Nomads. Overnight halt.
Day 10: Gogona - Khothangkha
The trail winds gently up above Gogona village, past fields of sheep and ploughed fields. We climb into a forest of firs, Oak, spruce, dwarf rhododendron, miniature azaleas, cypress and Juniper. Daphne is found here in great supply. This plant is used for hand-made paper and may be identified by its yellow flowers. Upon return to Thimphu we will visit a unique handcrafted paper shop. Here you will see how paper is made. Like all Bhutanese products, this paper is of the highest. Makes a wonderful gift. A long but graduals climb leads to Shobju La (11,019 ft). The trail winding down from the pass is rocky and muddy, weaving through the forest and crossing streams (by now you have adopted your walking stick). The trail meets a rough road used to collect wood on. Following the road through the woods we go to the woodcutters camp at Dolonga (9,282 ft). A small coalmine and campsite for the miners is located above Dolonga. We continue down the trail which overlooks the broad Khothangkha valley and we eventually reach Chorten Karpo, where four chortens are dedicated to the four Je Khenpos who come from this area. We camp by a forest of large blue pine overlooking the small village of rustic houses, Khothangkha. Bhutan is the least deforested country in the world, with over 70% of the country blanketed in virgin blue pine forest.
Day 11: Khotangkha - Tikke Zampa
A short steep climb along a well-worn path takes you to Tashila. Here is the top of the cable car that transports wood down to Chhuzomsa. Continue lovely hike down through the beautiful forest, lush with rhododendrons, magnolias, ferns and dwarf bamboo. Experts claim this stretch of the trek is one of the finest bird watching areas in Bhutan. Watch for the rare Great Pied Horn Bill, they are here! Now our trail plunges down steep terraced wheat fields to a cluster of houses at Wachay. Continuing west we descend along a treeless ridge towards Wangdiphodrang, crossing the Tang Chhu. Tonight enjoy a sumptuous dinner, relax and enjoy your hotel room at Dragons Nest Resort.
Day 12: Wangdue - Thimphu
Visit Dzong at Wangdue. Depart for Western Bhutan and Thimphu for a visit to the famous weekend market. The marketplace is alive with fresh and organic fruits, rice, chilies, wonderful textiles, handicrafts, art and jewelry. Lunch and check in Yeedzin Hotel. Visit the exceptional Textile Museum, featuring masterpieces from the Royal Family of Bhutan and splendid fabric and exquisite Thangkas. Visit Takin Zoo to see the National animal of Bhutan. Overnight Yeedzin Hotel.
Day 13: Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast you may want to visit some local shops in Thimphu for purchase or crafts, art, textile or unique mask. Watch local archers at play and a visit to the National Library is most interesting. Depart for Paro after a hearty lunch and depart for our hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Visit quaint Paro Village, enjoy farewell dinner and overnight at Dechen Hill Resort.
Day 14: Paro Depart
Breakfast drive to Paro airport for your onward international connections.
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