TRIP OVERVIEW
The Bhutan 13-days travel starts from the southeastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar and moves into the less frequented interior eastern districts that is known for its unique festivals, highly skilled weaving traditions and nomadic communities that inhabit the highlands.
On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent and immense Chorten Kora temple in the eastern most district of Trashiyangtse.
You will also visit the interior district of Lhuentse, the ancestral home of royal family, which is renowned for its “Kushuthara” weaves, and cross Thrumshing La the second highest pass (3,800m) which is amazing for several reasons.
You can also combine this travel to Bhutan with the famous Gomphu kora festival or Chorten Kora festival or the Trashigang festival or the trek to Merak Sakteng, the home of the Brokpa nomadic community who rear yaks for a living.
This tour can be taken any time of the year unless you opt to coincide with the festivals of the region or decide to take the trek.
Detailed Itineraries
Day 01. Arrive Paro
Your Guide from Spirit of Bhutan Tour will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel.
After Tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan.
On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 02. Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the evening, drive to Thimphu.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 03 Paro – Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 04. Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang and Philatelic office. After lunch, visit Silver smith at work and Hand made paper factory.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 05. Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 06. Punakha – Gangtey:
After breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey. On arrival check in to Gangtey Gompa House. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter.
Dinner and overnight at the Guest House.
Day 07. Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang:
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong of Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. After Lunch, drive to Bumthang.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 08. Bumthang Sightseeing:
After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667 and then visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. In the evening, visit Membarstho which literally means, “The burning Lake”. Over night in Hotel.
Day 09. Excursion to Ura valley & back to Bumthang:
After breakfast, Excursion to the beautiful valley of Ura.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 10. Bumthang –Wangdiphodrang:
After breakfast, drive to Wangdiphodrang. Picnic lunch will be served on the way. In the evening, visit a Farm House.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 11. Wangdiphodrang -Thimphu
:After breakfast , drive to Thimphu and after lunch, excursion to Tango Monastery.
Over night in Hotel in Paro.
Day 12 Paro to Chelela Excursion
After breakfast, drive to Chelila Pass to view the scenery. After lunch, visit to a Bhutanese Farm House.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 13. Departure
Your Staff of Spirit of Bhutan Tour will drop you to Paro international Airport for your onward destinations.
The Tour of the daily tariff includes:
- All meals with Tourist standard hotels
- English speaking tour guide service
- All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
- All internal taxes and fees
- Mineral drinking water
The tour cost does not include the following:
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- 5 star accommodations and meals (optional)
- Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc
- Guide and Driver Tipping’s
