Across Bhutan
(Paro, Thimpu and Punakha)
(Ref : OWTBHU8)
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Day |
Suggested itin |
Accommodation / Meals inc |
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1 |
Arrive -Paro. This is a most exciting mountain flight and is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, there are magnificent views of the world's highest peaks. After lunch, a short excursion to Dzongdrakha monastery, the cluster of cave temples seems like hanging on a cliff. It was in the 8th century, the great tantric master "Guru Rimpoche" meditated in this cave. It is a good 1 hour hike through few village houses and apple orchards. |
(Lunch and Dinner) Namsay Choling Resort |
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2 |
Excursion to Taktsang Monastery Following breakfast, drive through the beautiful valley of Paro and hike to Taktsang (tiger's Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. 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 obtain special permit for you to enable you to visit even inside of the monastery if you are interested) and 1 hour descend to the valley. Stop at tourism café for lunch, then continue to walk down to the bottom of the valley where your vehicle is waiting. Drive further 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 in present days it remains as ruins preserved as monument. It was built in 1647 after Bhutan stand victorious against Tibetan invasion. 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. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Namsay Choling Resort. |
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3 |
Paro-Thimphu 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 the 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. After lunch in one of the restaurants in the town, a 2 hour drive to Thimphu, the capital through windy road, deep river gorges, villages, apple orchards and rice terraces on either side. Evening at leisure. Stroll in the town, visit Bhutanese handicraft shops and buy
souvenirs etc. as you like. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Dragon Roots |
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4 |
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 on 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, Picnic Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Dragon Roots |
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5 |
Thimphu sightseeing. Evening drive to Punakha. Visit Changangkhang Lhakhang situated on top of a knoll overlooking the valley. This temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu dedicated to the god of compassion with 1000 arms, eyes and 11 heads. Drive to Sangaygang where en route you can visit the mini zoo where the golden takin (national animals of Bhutan) are kept. On way back stop at Dubthob nunnery; visit the temple where you can take picture of the Bhutan secretariat building, the Trashichho Dzong (fortress of the glorious religion). After lunch visit national library stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts as well as modern books on history, culture, magazines etc. Walk up and visit the folk heritage museum one of the oldest house in Thimphu, which has been restored and transformed into a Folk Heritage Museum in the year 2001 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. This museum is meant to serve an 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. The National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). The Royal Government of Bhutan has 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. Textile Museum: This museum was inaugurated under the patronage of Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuk in June 2001. Many intricate designs of Bhutanese textiles are displayed here. It also serves as center for conservation, restoration and documentation of Bhutanese textiles. We finally visit the philatelic bureau for beautiful stamps and the handicraft emporium to witness the display of intricate designs of Bhutanese fabrics, jewelleries and other crafted products. Late afternoon, make a 3 hour spectacular 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 hot cup of tea/coffee at the cafeteria, descend to Punakha through temperate and sub-tropical forest. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Zangtopelri / Meri Puensum resort. |
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6 |
Sightseeing in Punakha Following breakfast, drive to the Punakha Dzong which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan situated in the confluence of Phochhu & Mochhu (male & female rivers). It looks like a giant ship with excellent wood work and detail of paintings. It was here that the first King was crowned in 1907. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 when it was shifted to Thimphu. This dzong was also built by Shabdrung in 1637. Punakha dzong still serves as a winter resident of the chief abbot of Bhutan and houses both the administrative & religious centres of Punakha district. Drive further north of the valley and hike for abut 45 minutes crossing over asuspension bridge to the new Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten temple built in 1999 by one of the 4 queens, Ashi Tshering Yangdon for the protection of the country. The trail leads through the rice field and village of Niengergang. The view from the temple to the valley below is photogenic. After lunch, visit Chime Lhakhang, dedicated to famous the Drukpa Kagyud Lama "Drukpa Kuenley". The temple is situated on a hillock above Yoakha village. It is about 20 minutes walk from the road through rice terraces and village houses of Yoakha. Built in 1499 by his descendent Ngawang Chogyel. This temple is popularly know as "temple of fertility" and is the a pilgrim site for women who are unable to bear children. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Thimpu |
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7 |
Drive to Paro via Thimphu. Following breakfast, drive back to Thimphu crossing over Dochula pass. In Thimphu, visit weekend market where you can see people selling & buying local as well as imported products. After lunch, 2 hours drive to Paro. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Namsay Choling resort. |
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8 |
Depart Bhutan Following breakfast, drive to airport for your flight to India or Thailand |
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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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