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Day 01. Arrive at Paro:
Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by representative
of Bhutanese Travel, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02. Paro - Thimphu:
After breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong,
now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to
commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644;
the dzong name's means indeed " victorious Druk ". The Dzong
was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire
caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu
Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred monasteries
dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century
and then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses
administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an
ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national
museum of Bhutan. In the evening a two hours drive to
Thimphu, check in hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
in Thimphu.
Day 03. Khoma - Geynikha: (14 Km, 4hrs)
Walk through terraced Paddy fields and coniferous
forests to the settlement of Geynikha (2950 meters). The
route then descends to a chorten that marks a camping place
along side a stream at 2800 meters.
Day 04. Geynikha - Gur: (5Km, 4hrs.)
Crossing a suspension bridge, the trail heads west for a
while, then climbs steeply towards the south to a rock
platform and a crest at 3200 meters. A further walk of about
two hours leads to a camp in a forest clearing at 3350
meters.
Day 05. Gur - Labatamba: (12 Km, 5hrs.)
Cross the pass at 4240 meters for a view of Spectacular
Dagala village. Pass though several herders camps enroute to
the foot of the broad Labatamba valley at 4300 meters near
Utso Lake, where plenty of Golden Trout flourish. There are
so many lakes in the vicinity. Camp near the lake.
Day 06. Labatamba - Panka: (8 Km, 4 hrs.)
The trail climbs along the western side of the lake to
saddle at 4500 meters, where there are good mountain views.
From the pass there is a steep descent to another lake at
4350 meters. A short distance beyond the lake leads to the
valley and then to Panka at 4000 meters.
Day 07. Panka - Talakha: (8 km, 4 hrs)
The route leads north crossing a pass at 4000 meters,
then climbs along the side of the ridge to a crest at 4270
meters. From here there is a view of the Dagala range and a
view of Thimphu, far to the North. It is then a long descent
through forests to the Goemba and village of Talakha (3083
meters).
Day 08. Talakha - Simtokha: (3 Km, 3 Hrs)
Walk downhill on a steep trail to Simtokha from where
the Vehicle will pick you up and drive to Thimphu.
Day 09. Thimphu:
Rest day or stroll in the town/ visit Handicraft
emporium. Over night in Hotel.
Day 10. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, sight seeing in Thimphu. It includes:
the National Library, which holds a vast collection of
ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by visit to Painting
School, famous for carving and free hand art and National
Institute of Traditional medicine. After lunch visit the
Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built in 1627 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, which now houses a School and
then visit National Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated
to the Third King of Bhutan. His Late Majesty King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a
very rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. Then visit
Handicrafts Emporium to see the exquisite artistry of
traditional crafts and textiles. Visit to TashichhoDzong
(Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the
Late King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wang chuck, who is
regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. Evening free for
shopping and leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu.
DAY 11. Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdi: (72 Kms, 3 hours
drive).
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. While in Punakha, 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.
After Lunch, drive to Wangdi Phodrang. Enroute stop a while
to view Chimi Lhakhang also called the "Temple of Fertility"
built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as "Devine
Mad man" in 15th century. Enroute sightseeing in the valley
of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang
Dzong (from outside) 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.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 12. Wangdi Phodrang - Thimphu - Paro:
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch in Thimphu.
After lunch, drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at the
hotel in Paro.
Day 13. Departure:
Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell |
