Day 01 : Arrive Paro
Meet
on arrival and transfer to hotel, assistance by our representative through
the beautiful valley of Paro.
Paro is famous for its Paro Dzong overlooking the Paro Chu (river) and Ta
Zong formerly was a watch tower turned to a national Museum. The Paro
Village was constructed in 1985, it has the only Airport in the country.
Paro Dzong is the administrative seat of Paro district and home of monks.
The Paro valley dominated by Monsoons and the average temperature ranges
from 15-20 degrees.
While flying to Paro from New Delhi, on a clear day you can witness the
Great Himalayan peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Chomolhari, Jichu
and tserimgang etc
Evening walk through the local market to explore the Bhutanese Handicraft.
Antique, Tangkha paintings textiles etc, overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 : Paro
After breakfast Sight seeing tour continues to Paro valley visit to
Drukgyel Dzong a ruined fortress, dome of Chomolhari the mountain goddess.
Visit to Kyichu Lakhang one of the old temples built by king Sonsten Gampo,
it was considered as the mark of arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan. Visit to
National museum earlier known as Ta Dzong a watch tower.
After lunch walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong ("Fortress of
the heap of jewels"), Along the wooden galleries lining the inner
courtyard are fine wall paintings demonstrating Buddhist teachings.
In time drive to Thimpu. Arrival and check in to hotel.
Day 03 : Paro - Thimphu
After
breakfast proceed to tour of Thimpu the capital town of Bhutan.
Visit National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless
Buddhist manuscripts, The Institute of Traditional Medicine, and Institute
of Zorig Chusum (Painting school)
After lunch, visit Tashi chho dzong, "the fortress of the glorious
religion". This is the seat of political and religion power built by
the unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Reconstructed by third king His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck 'the father
of modern Bhutan'
Visit to government-run Handicrafts Emporium, local crafts shops to witness
through the rich and flourished culture of Bhutan's fine traditional Arts,
hand woven textiles, Tangkha paintings wooden carvings and jewelry.
Day 04 : Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast proceed to Punakha, the road leads to Punakha crosses
through Dochu-la pass (3,088 Mts).
On a clear day you can see the highest point on the road is marked with a
large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags, on the top of the hill, and views
of spectacular mountain ranges from this point.
In time reach Punakha and check in to Hotel.
Punakha is a seat of Je Khenp (Chief abbot) and this small town also served
as Capital town of Bhutan until 1955.
In the evening visit Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang in 17th
Century at the meeting point of Pho Chu and Mo chu (Rivers).
Overnight at hotel/Guest house in Punkakha.
Day 05 : Punakha - Wangduephodrang - Gangtey (Phobjikha)
After
breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang, Wangdue district is famous for its
Bamboo work, stone carvings and slates. The road leads to Wangduephodrang is
one of the most scenic road passes through the winding mountains, Oak and
Rhododendron forests.
Arrive and check in to hotel//Guest house.
The Phobjikha Valley is the loveliest high altitude glacial valleys in
Bhutan.
This valley is also a winter home of migratory black necked cranes from
Tibetan Plateau. You can witness them, if travel at the right time of a
year.
After noon visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, which remains open for visitors
during Wangduephodrang Tsechu, (Festival) celebrated in autumn.
Visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery) established in 17th century.
Overnight stay at hotel/Guest house.
Day 06 : Gangtey (Phobjikha) - Tongsa
After breakfast drive to Tongsa and cross Pele La pass (3300 Mts). This
pass makes boundary between western and central Bhutan.
Enroute visit Chendebji Chorten built by Tibetan Lama.
The most important aspect of this chorten is that, it is built in Nepalese
Style with painted eyes in four cardinal points. Before reaching to town you
will see a impressive Tongsa Dzong, built in 1648.
It was a very important town culturally as well as strategically, the seat
of power, due to its location.
Its located between central and Western Bhutan.
Landscape of this small town are simply spectacular.
Arrive and check in to hotel/Guest house.
Day 07 : Tongsa - Bumthang (Jakar)
After
breakfast proceed to visit Tongsa Dzong built by Shabdrung, Then visit to Ta
Dzong (Watchtower) on the hillside above the town. The main purpose was to
Guard Tongsa Dzong.
After lunch drive to Bumthang
The road passes through the Yutong la pass (3400 Mts) & coniferous
forests, then unfold to wide open cultivated valley known as Chumey Valley.
Arrive and check in to hotel/Guest hourse.
Day 08 : Bumthang
After breakfast visit to Bumthang, the area comprises of four valleys
Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura.
The altitude varies from 2600 Mts to 4000 Mts.
Visit Kurje Lhakhang one of the most sacred place in Bhutan, Gure Rinpoche
(Padamsabhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastry the road leads to Jambey
Lakhang , this temple was built by King Songsten Gampo in the 07th Century
is one of the oldest in Bhutan.
After lunch visit to Tamshing Lakhang founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.
Tamshing Lakhang also contains the ancient Buddhist wall paintings, later
visit to Jakar Dzong 'The Castle of a white bird' and stroll through the
local market.
Overnight at hotel/Guest house.
Day 09 : Bumthang - Mongar
Drive continues to eastward through the rugged Terrain with spectacular
views, it takes at least 6 hrs to reach Mongar.
The road also passes through the Ura village, Thrumsing la Pass 4000 mts,
then road gradually descends valley of Sengor with wonderful views of
waterfalls en-route.
The Vegetation changes from alpine to Sub tropical, abundance of trees like
Bamboos; ferns etc enchant you through your journey to land of last Shangri-
la Bhutan.
Crossing through the Kuri Chu river, ascend to high on gentle slop the town
Mongar is located.
You will enjoy the scenic beauty of cultivated fields slops and pine
forests.
Arrive and check in to hotel.
Day 10 : Mongar - Tashigang
After lunch proceed to visit the Mongar Dzong built in 1930.
In time drive to Tashigang which is 96 Kms takes approx 3 hrs the
mesmerizing journey through the leafy forests and Kori La pass (2450 mts),
passes through the cultivated fields and orchards of Banana and a relatively
new settlement called Yadi.
Before reaching to Tashigang, the most populated district in the country.
Down the hillside, the road east runs along the Gamri river. There is one
place called Drametse is famous for Drametse Nga Chham, a masked dance with
drums.
After lunch visit to Tashigang Dzong, The administrative seat of district.
Overnight at hotel/Guest house.
Day 11 : Tashigang (excursion to Tashiyangtse)
After breakfast visit to temple of Gom Kora, overlooking the river, its
famous for its importance because of Guru Rinpoche.
Visit to Doksum Village famous for weaving of traditional Bhutanese fabric.
Dating back Tashiyangtse was a very important centre because it lies
between the trade route which connects central and Western Bhutan
This area is also famous for wooden Containers and bowls the attractive
souvenirs.
Visit to Tashiyangtse Dzong, which overlooks the town and was built in 1990
& white stupa of Chorten Kora on the riverbank below the town, and the
nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students are trained in Bhutan's 13
traditional arts and crafts.
Overnight at hotel/Guest House.
Day 12 : Tashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar
After breakfast drive to Samdrup Jongkhar road completed in 1965.
En-route visit Sherubtse College in Kanglung, visit Zangtho Pelri temple
representing Guru Rinpoche's paradise, National Institute for the Disabled
and the Weaving Centre.
Overnight at the lodge in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 13 : Samdrup Jongkhar - Guwahati
After breakfast, drive to Guwahati, the capital town of the Indian
north-eastern state of Assam, for flight to Delhi/Kolkata or onward program
in that region.
