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Bhutan Culture & Nature Tour

13 Days / 12 Nights (Tour Code: BUT-09)
Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Wangduephodrang-Trongsa-Bumthang-Wangduephodrang-Paro

Day Details
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A close encounter with mysticism, culture, history and the Nature

Day 1: Paro

On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandyoung archer Bhutanu or over foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers you wonderful views of the Himalayas and an exciting descent into the Kingdom.

On arrival at Paro airport, immigration and custom formalities and then received by our representative and transfer to the hotel.

Evening take a stroll around towns main street. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro

After breakfast, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) formerly a wtchtower and now the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Then walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this dzong now houses Paros monk body and the offices of the civil administration and is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.

Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies. Then visit a traditional farm house which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.

In the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro - Thimphu

After breakfast proceed to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Enroute stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro river joins Thimphu river. Nearby Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

Afternoon, in Thimphu, visit Kings Memorial Chhorten and Trashichhodzong, beautiful medieval fortress/monastery.

Then, visit Handicrafts Emporium, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum followed by visit local market.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu

Morning, Thimphu sightseeing, visiting National Library, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute.

After lunch, drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. Stop enroute at Dochula pass (3,050m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan.

On arrival, check into the hotel. Evening visit Punakha Dzong, the fortress of 17th century and later visit Khamsm Yulley Namgyal Chhorten.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 5: Thimphu - Punakha

After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit majestic Wangdue Dzong and interesting local market.

Further ahead pass through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching at Gangtey (Phobjikha).

Evening take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.

Overnight at Camp / Guest House.

Day 6: Punakha

Morning explore Phobjikha valley which is famous for Black Necked Cranes. The cranes migrate here from Central Asiatic plateau to escape its harsh winters.

After lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass. Evening visit Trongsa market.

Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Day 7: Punakha - Wangduephodrang

Morning visit Trongsa Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture and see Ta Dzong, the watch tower, built to defend this Dzong and surrounding region.

After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 8: Wangduephodrang

Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley.

Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country.

Evening visit local shops. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 9: Wangduephodrang - Trongsa

Bumthang to Ura is 48 km, about one and a half hour drive. To reach here, the road climbs to amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running into forest. Large sheep pastures line the road up to 20 km behind the southern tip of the Tang valley. The route crosses Ura la pass (3,600m) with a magnificent view of Mount. Gangkhar Puensum. Villages in Ura have clustered houses, which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Above Ura village (3,100m) is a new temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Inaugurated in 1986, it contains a huge statue of the master and remarkable paintings of the cycle of his teachings. Since last 25 years Ura has been transformed from a marginal community to prosperous valley.

Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 10: Trongsa

Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Wangdue . Lunch would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town.

Evening take a stroll around Wangdue town, visiting shops, local market and mingling with people.

Overnight at the hotel in Wangduephodrang.

Day 11: Trongsa - Bumthang

Morning excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatise his teachings and due to this also known as "Divine Madman". This temple is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning field. It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to Chimi Lhakhang.

Afteroon drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 12: Bumthang

Start the day early for drive to Haa via Chele-la pass. 4 Km away at chele la passBondey village the road to Haa diverts towards the right hand side and the climb up towards the chele-la pass starts. After driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for 45 km, reach Chele-la pass ( 4200 meters). From this point one can have a superb views of Mount. Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view. Drive on to Haa, descending all the way for another 22 km (under an hours drive), finally reaching Haa. The Haa Dzong is presently occupied by military, but the view from outside is stunning. After picnic lunch visit the famous Monastery Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed by visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). The central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to have no difference with that of Lhasa JOWO in Tibet. The construction of the Lakhang Karpo is believed to have been assisted by the locality. As a result the place came to be locally known as Hay meaning surprise which later became Haa due to the differences in interpretations and pronunciations of different people over time.

The three giant hills looming over the fringes of Haa valley were called Me Rig Puen Sum especially after the incidence of the Lhakhang Kdarpo construction. Today the three hills are popularly known as Rig Sum Goenpa signijfying three deities-Jambayang Chana Dorji and Chenrizig.

Later, other Buddhist saints like Guru Rinpoche and Machi Labdorn came to the Jungney Drag in Haa and blessed the locality. The principal religion followed is Drukpa Kagyud.

After the arrival of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the chief guardian deity of Haa became Ap Chundu.

Later in the afternoon drive to Paro same way back. The drive will be under 3 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 13: Bumthang

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.