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mainly
on Himalayan culture and religion; Institute for Zorig Chusum
(commonly known as the Painting School) where students undertake
a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of
Bhutan; National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside
only), where the medicinal herbs abundant in the kingdom are
compounded and dispensed, and traditional medical practitioners
are trained; National Memorial Chorten: The building of this
landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity.
Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a
memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”) and a
monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the
monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy;
Tashichhodzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses the
secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King
and various government offices. It is also the summer residence
of the Chief Abbot and central monk body; Folk Heritage and
National Textile Museums: These museums, both of which opened in
2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material
culture and way of life. Handicrafts Emporium: This
government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully
hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small
collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Thimphu (B,L,D)
Day 04:
Thimpu - Tongsa
Breakfast at the hotel. Private full-day sightseeing en route to
Tongsa including lunch.
Drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly
here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and
prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If
skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east
will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the
following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right):
Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m),
Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang
(7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of
Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan
at 7,497m.
Then continue onwards, reaching Wangduephodrang town in time for
lunch. From here, it is a long, winding descent into the
Wangduephodrang Valley, which is about 1,700m below the pass.
Take lunch at Wangduephodrang town, and continue on to Tongsa
across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830ft), the traditional boundary
between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white
chorten and prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in
vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high
altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop en route at Chendebji Chorten,
patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted
at the four cardinal points. It was built in the 18th century by
Lama Shida from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit
that was subdued at this spot.
Arrive Tongsa late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel for dinner
and overnight.
Overnight in Tongsa (B,L,D)
Day 05:
Tongsa - Bumthang
Breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, walk by Tongsa Dzong
(built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647) and climb up a
steep path to visit the Ta Dzong (watchtower), dedicated to the
epic hero, King Gesar of Ling.
Private (68km) transfer to Bumthang, a journey approximately 3
hours, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft). At 28km
outside Tongsa, the road winds steeply up to the pass, then runs
down through coniferous forest into a wide-open cultivated
valley known as the Chumey Valley.
Arrive Bumthang, check-in and lunch at your lodge. After lunch,
visit Kurje Lhakhang “where the saint’s body is imprinted on a
rock,” 7th century Jambey Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastery (housing
some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan), and Jakar Dzong
(administrative center of the region). Stroll in the village,
visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town,
and perhaps enjoy refreshments (own account) at a local
restaurant.
Return to your hotel late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Tongsa (B,L,D)|
Day 06:
Bumthang - Punakha
Breakfast at the lodge. Private full-day tour en route to
Punakha including lunch.
Explore further the fascinating valley of Bumthang. This lovely
valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some
of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru
Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”)
still linger in this sacred region.
Then proceed to Punakha, stopping along the way at Tongsa for
lunch, which will be served in a local restaurant famous for its
cuisine.
Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town before a late afternoon
arrival into Punakha. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and
overnight. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Punakha (B,L,D)
Day 07: Punakha - Paro
Breakfast at the hotel. Private full-day tour en route to Paro
including lunch.
Morning visit to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the
junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955,
and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the
central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was
crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from
fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood,
in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but
miraculously spared its most holy statue.
After lunch, proceed to Paro, en route visiting a traditional
Bhutanese farm-house, to gain an insight into the lifestyle and
culture of the local people.
On arrival in Paro, transfer to your for check-in and dinner.(B,L,D)
Day 08:
Paro
Breakfast at the hotel. Private full-day sightseeing in Paro
Valley including lunch.
Start with a morning visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served
as watchtower for Paro Dzong and now houses the National Museum;
and Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal. After lunch, drive up the valley to Drukgyel
Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to commemorate the
Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in the war of 1644. En
route, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century
by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo.
Return to Paro this afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.(B,L,D)
Day 09: Paro/Delhi :
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to the airport for
flight back to Delhi. Arrival assistance at Delhi airport and
transfer to the hotel.
Day 10. Depart Delhi : Morning
sightseeing of Delhi and evening transfer to the IGI for fly
back home. |
