Day 1
Overnight international flight to New Delhi.
Day 2
Upon arrival, airport reception and check in at your airport hotel for the evening.
Note: For optional New Delhi tours please ask a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 3
Afternoon flight to Paro. In clear weather, the flight into Paro is a befitting introduction to Bhutan, as you can enjoy aerial views of the highest mountain peaks in the world that rise out of the lush green Paro Valley. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Also visit the Paro Dzong also referred to as the Rimpung Dzong. Constructed in 1644, today it encompasses a Monastic school and several government offices, including that of the local governor. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk down the nearby hill, where you will cross a traditional cantilever bridge over the beautifully flowing Paro River.
Day 4
Morning departure for Thimphu. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and set out for some sightseeing, beginning with the National Memorial Chorten. Erected in 1974 to honor His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, this large Tibetan styled chorten (or stupa) exhibits many religious paintings and tantric statues that reflect several aspects of Buddhist Deities.
Carry on to Changangkha Lhakhang, an old fortress styled temple. Also the site of a monastic school, this temple offers excellent views of Thimphu as it is perched on a ridge above the city. From here, a brief trip to the mini zoo (essentially a large fenced in area) is in order, where one can see the Takin – the national animal of Bhutan.
Then, go to Thimphu’s telecommunication tower, which is situated on a hillside (2865m) offering great photographic scenes of Thimphu Valley. Covered in prayer flags, the complex houses the Bhutan TV studio and although it cannot be photographed, the views of the valley are definitely worth the trip. With the remaining time in the day, you can enjoy a visit to the Paper Factory, where traditional Bhutanese paper is produced from the Daphne plant.
Day 5
Today, begin with a visit to the National Library, which was founded in 1967 and preserves many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. On the upper floor, one can see traditional Tibetan styled books that are written on long strips of handmade paper, stacked between pieces of wood and wrapped in silken cloth. You can also see several wooden blocks that are used for printing books and prayer flags as well as a collection of more contemporary books.
Next, visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimpu’s popular painting school that offers a six year course that offers teachings of traditional Bhutanese arts. Beginning with drawing, the students follow a curriculum that progresses to painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making.
Also on the list for the day is the National Institute for Traditional Medicine, which is an impressively large lab that dispenses herbal and other medicines. Follow this with a leisurely visit to the National Textile Museum to learn about the national art of weaving. The Folk Heritage Museum is also worth a visit, as it is a unique three story mud and timber building that acts as a living museum to give visitors insight into the ancient Bhutanese lifestyles.
Lastly, visit the Tashi Chhoe Dzong. Buil in 1216, this dzong houses the Throne Room and offices of the Bhutanese King and Ministers. The northern portion of the building is the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Central Monk Body. Tourists are allowed to visit only after 5 pm and may only enter the courtyard. In the evening, visit the Handicrafts Emporium where you can purchase Bhutanese souvenirs.
Day 6
Disembark for your journey east to the Gangtey Valley (130 kms, 5-6 hours). Traveling on windy mountain roads, this will be a spectacular alpine journey, with great views of the Northern Himalayan Range as you ascend the Dochu La pass (3199 m/10170 ft). Built along the pass, take a brief stop to visit the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens.
Day 7
The Gangtey Valley overlooks the lush green expanse of the much larger Phobjikha Valley, which has many alpine wetlands along its Black Mountain range. A prime habitat for black necked cranes, this is a pristine conservation area for these majestic birds that winter in the area, before returning to Tibet. The best chance to see these birds are between November and February. After some exploration of the valley, visit the Gangtey Monastery, a significant place for the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Established in 1613, the prayer hall of the monastery is constructed in a Tibetan style and is one of the largest in Bhutan. Within its walls is a Buddhist college, as well as a retreat and mediation center for monks.
Day 8
Spend the entire day exploring the valley where you can enjoy the natural setting and the scenic views. Also take some time to visit local farmhouses and villages to immerse yourself in the culture for a wholesome experience.
Day 9
The drive today will take about 5 – 6 hours. The drive crosses over the Pele La Pass at 3, 420 meters. Before reaching Trongsa stop to view the Chendebji Chorten – a large white structure beside a stream at 2, 430m. The chorten is patterned after a Nepali style stupa in the 19th Century by Lama Shida from Tibet to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed on this spot. Stop to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. Also visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, above the main dzong, which has an interesting display of Mongol armor and most of the rare pieces of antiques in Bhutanese history.
Then proceed to Bumthang, crossing the Yotong La Pass at 3,440 m. The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys: Choekor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The valley is considered as one of the most beautiful landscaped valley of the Kingdom holding roots to many Buddhists holy sites and holy shrines. It can also be described as the Switzerland of Asia.
Day 10
Enjoy a tour of Bumthang, including the Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Membartsho and the Ugyen Chholing Palace. The picturesque Jakar Dzong – known as the Castle of the White Bird, was built in 1667 and is believed to be the largest Dzong in the Kingdom. Located on a small hill top overlooking the Choekor valley., the dzong houses the office of the local governor, some administrative offices, a small court and the monk’s quarters. The Jambey Lhakhang is a monastery that is believed to have been built in the year 659 CE by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. After a brief visit here, move onto the Kurjey Lhakhang, which is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche that remains preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings that make up the temple complex. The first temple as you enter the complex was built in 1652 by a local governor (Penlop), the second temple was built in 1900 by the first King of Bhutan and the third by the present Queen Mother in 1984.
Membartsho – The Burning Lake is a 5 minute walk from the road side in the Tang valley. This lake occupies a wide place in the Tang Chhu (River). Terton Pema Lingpa – a renowned treasure revealer in the 15th century, found several of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures in this lake. A wooden bridge crosses the river and is a good vantage point to look down into the lake. Perhaps you may spot the temple that is said to exist in the lake’s depths. The importance of the site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and the small clay offering. The Ugyen Chholing Palace is located in the Tang valley – this is a 16th century palace that was built by a Temporary ruler (deb). The present structures including a temple, servants’ quarters and a massive residential building, are more recent, having been rebuilt after their collapse in the 1897 earthquake. The family that owns this Palace turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude. Permanent exhibits in the main building are captioned with extensive, informative descriptions of the lifestyle and artworks of a Bhutanese noble family.
Other visits in the Bumthang valley will include visits to the Woodcarving Factory, the Sheep Breeding Centre and the Beekeeping Project.
Day 11
Return drive to Punakha via the same route. The drive will take 7-8 hours to cover the distance of approximately 210 kilometers. Once arrived, spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Day 12
Return to Paro via Thimphu. On arrival in Paro, visit the Ta Dzong - an unusual round building said to be in a shape of a conch shell which houses the National Museum of the Kingdom. The museum displays a spectacular collection of Thangkhas, extensive philatelic collection, ancient bronze and stone objects, statues, ancient weapons and shields. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang ,one of the two oldest lhakhangs in the country built in 659 CE by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyampo. It is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King and is said to hold down the left foot of a demoness. In the evening explore the Paro town.
Day 13
Morning hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Alt.3100m). Taktsang literally means - Tiger's nest. This monastery was built in the 1600s and clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, in the form of Dorji Drolo arrived at this site on the back of a flying tigress believed to be his consort, to subdue the eight evil spirits who were preventing the propagation on Buddhism in the area. A fire destroyed the monastery in 1998, cause still unknown, It has recently been rebuilt in its original form. Its 1 hr 30 minutes walk up hill to the cafeteria, lunch will be served here.
After lunch walk back to the base and drive a short distance further north to visit the Drukgyel Dzong built in 1649 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal to commemorate Bhutan's numerous victories over the Tibetan invaders. The Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is now left in ruin. On a clear day, the 24, 000 ft (7314m) white doomed sacred Mount Jomolhari can be seen.
Day 14
Transfer to the airport for your connection to New Delhi and flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Due to the limited availability of flights between New Delhi and Paro, you many need to spend an extra night in Paro before departing for New Delhi. Please check with your tour consultant.
Buddhist Prayer Wheels
Paro Dzong
Rice Fields
