Discover Bhutan
(Paro, Jangchulahka, Thimphu Wangdue, Haa Valley and Punakha)
(Ref : OWTBHU15)
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Day |
Suggested itin |
Accommodation / Meals inc |
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1 |
Arrive Paro. After lunch, sightseeing of Paro valley. The places of interests include: Ta Dzong (Bhutan National museum) an ancient tower, which served as watch tower to the Paro Rimpong Dzong until 1968 when it was converted into museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll paintings), ancient artifacts dating from 7th century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, temple with tree of wisdom depicting the history of Buddhism, collection of animals, birds & butterflies and a good collection of ancient armors such as canons, guns, shield, bows & arrows, spears etc. Visit the Rimpong dzong (fortress), the administrative & religious centre of Paro district. This dzong was built in 1646 by the order of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the one who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. Drive north and visit the Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victorious drukpas. It was burnt in 1951 by the tilting of butter lamp in the middle of the night; so to the present day it remains in ruins and preserved as amonument. On your way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred temple in Bhutan built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo. The legend says that he built 108 temples throughout the Himalayan regions in a single day to subdue the demoness who was terrorizing the whole of Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan. |
(Dinner) Tandiling Resort & Spa. |
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2 |
Trek National Museum to Jele Dzong Following breakfast, drive to the point where starts trek. For the first couple of hours, follow the farm road that goes through villages and apple orchards. The trail ascends gradually through the forest of chir pine, spruce; silver fir etc. to the camp below Jele dzong (fort). If weather permits, Paro valley can be seen with views of snow-capped mountains behind. Altitude: 3,550m, Distance: 10 km.
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(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Overnight in tent. |
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3 |
Trek Jele Dzong to Jangchulahka Following breakfast, begin theclimb; past the Jele Dzong (if care taker is present, you can visit the temple inside) following the ridge and enter the thick forest of junipers. The trail then takes you through thick temperate forests and . You may see yak herders around your campsite. Altitude: 3750m, Distance: 10km |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Overnight in tent. |
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4 |
Trek Jangchulakha to Jimi Langtsho The trail follows the ridge making many ups and downs and is said to be long and challenging. On a clear day, there are beautiful views of the mountains and the valley. Distance 11km and takes about 5 hours. (alt. 3850m) |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Camp near the lake. |
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5 |
Trek Jimi Langtsho to Simkotra Following breakfast, start with another gradual climb past several false summits. There are views of Dochula pass and Mt. Jomolhari. From a pass called Phumela (4080m), weather permitting there are stunning views of Mt. Gangkhar Puensum (highest peak in Bhutan) and other Himalayan peaks. There is a steep descend before reaching the Phajoding monastery. Numerous meditation shelters and temples are scattered across the hillside. From the monastery, the trail to Thimphu is all the way downhill. It takes about 2 hours to reach the vehicle point through an area forested with blue pine. Distance: 16km, Time: 6-7 hours. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Thimpu. |
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6 |
Trek Simkotra to Thimphu. Another long climb past several false summits, then a long rocky traverse to a group of cairns atop Labana pass at 4210m. The trail descends gently and along this stretch of trail, there are great views of Dochula and Mt. Jomolhari and other mountains. Pass a rough stone wall and soon come to some prayer flags on a hill above the trail that mark a seldom-used sky burial site. Another long traverse leads to a crest and the trail drops and crosses a final ridge called Phumela pass at 4080m. Weather permitting; there are stunning views of the highest mountain in Bhutan (Mt. Gangkhar Puensum) and other Himalayan peaks. Above Phajoding, the trail is marked by a small stone stupa. Below sprawls the entire Thimphu valley. Descend downhill on a maze of eroded trail through Juniper and rhododendron bushes, past Phajoding monastery and continue downhill through an area forested with blue pine. Taking it leisurely, you reach Motithang (above Thimphu) in about 1.5 hours. After lunch, you can stroll in the town, visit handicraft shops, do shopping and meet people if you like. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Thimphu |
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7 |
Thimphu sightseeing Following breakfast, go sightseeing to places of interest in Thimphu. Visit the weekend market (Friday till Sunday) to see people from all walks of life buying and selling local as well as imported products. Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974. It is a multi-storied stupa with numerous paintings and complex statues. Inside the monument you are provided with a rare insight of the Buddhist philosophy. Lhakhang: One of the oldest and most sacred temples in Thimphu valley situated on top of a knoll overlooking the Thimphu city built in 15th century dedicated to the god of compassion. Drive further up and visit the zoo where you will see Bhutan's national animal "The Takin". National Library:holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). The Royal Government of Bhutan sponsored and established this national institute in the year 1971 to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country's economy through quality products and services. In the course of history Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts & crafts. Handicrafts Emporium: displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. After lunch, visit Traditional Medicine Institute: It was established with the help of EU to improve traditional medicine. Different medicinal herbs, minerals, animal products are used to prepare traditional medicines. Folk Heritage Museum: One of the oldest house in Thimphu, having been restored and transformed into Folk Heritage Museum in the year 2001 under the patronage of Her majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo. This museum is meant to serve asan account of everyday rural life for the young urbanized generations and as a place for preserving objects related to this life, in case this way of life disappears as time passes. Textile Museum: This museum was inaugurated under the patronage of Queen Ashi Sangay Choden in June 2001. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Thimphu |
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8 |
Hike to Cheri & Tango Monasteries Following breakfast, 15km drive north of Thimphu valley to Dodina, the dead-end of the road. Cross the cantilever/wooden bridge and hike for about an hour to Cheri monastery through the temperate forest of oak, rhododendrons and other species of hard wood trees.
Cheri Monastery was built on the mountain in 1619 and is the upper education level monastic school. Climb down and after having your picnic lunch, drive alittle to the other side of the valley and walk to another monastery "Tango" This monastery dates back to 13th century but re-built in the 17th century by 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan, Tenzin Rabgye and is now the residence of his young incarnation. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel -Thimphu |
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9 |
Thimphu-Punakha Following breakfast, aspectacular mountain drive to Punakha, the old winter capital crossing over Dochula pass (alt. 3150m). If you are fortunate with the weather, you can have splendid panorama of the eastern Himalayas. After a hot cup of tea/coffee at the cafeteria; descend to Punakha through temperate and sub tropical forest. Enjoy the blossom of rhododendron & magnolia in the spring. On arrival at Punakha and afterlunch, drive to visit Punakha dzong, the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan situated in the confluence of Phochhu & Mochhu (Male & female rivers). Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan until 1955 when it was officially shifted to Thimphu. It is here in Punkaha the first king was crowned in 1907. It houses both the monks body and Punakha district administration. It also serves as winter resident of Chief Lama of Bhutan. North of the valley and after a 45 minute hike which crosses over thesuspension bridge to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, a new temple, the paradise of Guru Rimpoche through the rice field and village of Niengergang. After the temple, descend to the valley and drive back to hotel. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Punakha |
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10 |
Wangdue sightseeing. Drive to Paro Following breakfast, drive to another valley called Wangdue. En route visit Chime Lhakhang dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. It is 20 minutes gentle walk through the rice terraces and village houses of Yoakha. This temple is the pilgrimage centre for couple who do not bear children. This temple is also called the temple of fertility. Drive further and visit town of Wangdue and enjoy the scenic beauty of the valley. After lunch, drive to Paro. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Paro |
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11 |
Day excursion to Haa valley Haa valley is situated bordering the Chinese occupied Tibet. It was off- limit to tourists until very recently. So it is worth visiting this lush and scenic valley of HAA. Because it is newly opened , the tourism infrastructure is poor. We will keep on doing day excursions until we have better accommodation for overnight stays.Following breakfast, we take a 2 hour drive to Haa. The road climbs through temperate forest of pine, oak, spruce, silver fir and many species of rhododendrons to the highest point at Chelila pass (3988mts/13,160ft). If the weather is clear you can enjoy the view of Mt. Jmolhari and surrounding mountains, the view of the Paro valley below and Mt. Kanchungjunga. From the pass the road winds and descends until it reaches to Haa valley. |
(Breakfast) Hotel - Paro |
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12 |
Excursion to Taktsang monastery Following breakfast, drive back for few kilometers to where the hike to Taktsang starts. Hike to Taktsang (tiger's Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 700m above the valley. In the 8th century Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru Dorje Drolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17th century, the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger's nest/den in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from all over the world. It takes 2 hours ascend till the closest view point (we'll obtain a special permit for you to enable you to visit inside the monastery if you are interested) and 1 hour descend to the valley. The way back is quick as it is downhill. Catch your vehicle and drive to visit Drukgyel dzong, the fortress of victory. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Paro |
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13-14 |
Witness Paro festival. The festivals in Bhutan are numerous. Each district performs annual festival (tsechu & dromche) that falls on the 10th day of the month of the Bhutanese calendar. It is the spiritual occasion in honor of Guru Padmashambhava, "one who was born from a lotus flower" popularly known as Guru Rimpoche, "The precious Teacher". Festivals are also social gatherings where people from all walks of life gathered to rejoice together, dressed in all their finery. Tsechus or the festivals are not pageants or entertainment events. They are not held as tourist's attraction. They are the genuine manifestations of religious traditions hundreds of years old which outsiders are given the opportunity to witness. We would like to see that the privilege retained, without in anyway impairing or infringing on the beauty and sacredness of the rituals. Most of the dances date back from beyond the middle Ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or Thongdroels. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement among all the participants. The Dzongs come to life with color, music and terrifying masked and sword dances and other rituals. Tourists are allowed into the Dzongs to watch the spectacle, but not the inner sanctuaries. Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed to take photographs at Tsechus. The most popular festivals are Paro Tshechu, Thimphu, Wangdue, few in Bumthang like Jambay Lhakhang Drub and Thangbi Mani, and in the east such as Chorten kora festival. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Paro |
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15 |
Fly out to onward destination |
(Breakfast) |
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Pricing and Details
(Prices quoted based on 2 persons sharing a double
room. Prices in UK sterling. ( USD / Euros prices are approx guide
price )
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TOTAL TOUR PRICE...... |
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International Toursit Class |
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Per Person |
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Items not included :-
Tour Notes
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