| Day 1: Arrive Paro international airport
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, 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 Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town. Overnight in Paro. Day 2: Paro - Thimphu (2-hour drive)
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. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu. Day 3: Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. From there you will visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). Overnight in Thimphu. Day 4: Thimphu - Wangduephodrang/Punakha (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Overnight in Wangduephodrang. Day 5: Wangduephodrang - Trongsa (5-hour drive)
You will begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of year it's possible to see yaks. You can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight in Trongsa. Day 6: Trongsa - Bumthang (3-hour drive)
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. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang. Day 7: Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
-- Jakar Dzong (fortress)
-- Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
-- Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print)
-- Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
-- Konchogsum Lakhang
-- Mebar Tsho (flaming Lake)
You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang Day 8: Trek Begins. Toktu Zampa - Ngang Lhakhang (distance 12km, time 4-5 hours)
The trek begins fairly level through buckwheat fields, and shortly into the hike you will arrive at Thangbi Monastery, which was founded in 1470. The trail then continues through meadows and forest and makes a short but steep ascent to a small settlement in an area known as Ngang-yul (Swan Land). There are two interesting water-driven prayer wheels at the temple here, and there are statues and paintings inside. Camp nearby. Altitude 2,800m. Day 9: Ngang Lhakhang - Tahung (distance 16km, time 6 hours)
The trail starts off level but soon begins a long climb through cool, deep forest, where you will see lots of bamboo and moss. You will eventually arrive at Phephe La (pass) at 3,360m. The descent is again through thick forest, until the trail emerges into fields and meadows and heads down into a valley. Camp in the valley. Altitude 2,790m. Day 10: Trek Ends. Tahung - Mesitang (distance 15km, time 5-6 hours)
The route follows the Tang River down the valley to the village of Tang and eventually to the main valley at 2,640m. At this point you can take a short side trip up to Ugyen Chholing Palace, which was built in the 16th century in the traditional Bhutanese design and now houses a collection of artifacts. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trail at Mesitang to take you back to your hotel, where you can freshen up before dinner. Overnight in Bumthang. Day 11: Bumthang - Wangduephodrang (6-7 hour drive)
You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in Wangduephodrang. Day 12: Wangduephodrang - Thimphu (3-hour drive)
In the morning you will drive back to Thimphu. After lunch, you can tour the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, and you can explore the interesting handicraft shops. Or 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! Overnight in Thimphu. Day 13: Thimphu - Paro (2-hour drive)
You can spend the morning shopping in Thimphu. If it's the weekend, you can stroll through the market to see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It's fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market. In the afternoon, 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, thankas, statues, and antiques. From there you will be taken to the Drugyel 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 visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro. Day 14: Depart Paro |
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