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Day 01: Arrive Paro (By
Druk Air):
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a
befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our
country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's
highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you
land. Your Bhutanese escort will greet you on arrival, and
then drive you the short distance to the Hotel.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing:
Your journey into the Thunder Dragon kingdom will truly
begin with a drive in the morning to the ruins of the
Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the
great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of
medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire
and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great
victories it was built to commemorate. On the way back,
visit Kichu Lhakhang built in 659 by the Tibetan King
Srongsen Gampo. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day
experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314
m). Our next visit is Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which
now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro
Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority
in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the
dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.
A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery
grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we
are lucky, we may catch a match in action. The evening ends
with a walk through Paro's main shopping district.
Day 03. Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery:
A very special day, with an excursion to view the
spectacular Taktsang (Tiger'sNest) monastery - After
breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from
there a 2 hour horse ride till the viewpoint point of the
monastery. 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.
Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the
edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the
valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the
tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here
on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery
flying tigers doesn't seem so impossible after all. Lunch
will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk to
Satsam Chorten for the drive to the hotel.
Day 04. Paro - Shana (Start of Trek):
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the
Paro river and we pass cultivated fields and tiny
picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous
birds and brightly coloured butterflies. Overnight at camp
Shana. Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 05. Shana - Thangthangka:
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area
with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and
the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a
junction enroute, where another path leads north over the
Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 - 8 hours.
Day 06. Thangthangka - Jangothang:
In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail
slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a
beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak
herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of
yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari
base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and
visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to
guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude 4,115 m;
Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 07: Jangothang (Halt):
A rest day. A chance to walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or
to the Tsho Phu lakes on the opposite direction.
Day 08. Jangothang - Thangthangka:
Day 09. Thangthangka - Shana:
Day 10. Shana - Paro - Thimphu (End of Trek):
Our transport will be waiting (at Drukgyal Dzong) to take us
to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. It takes two hours drive to
Thimphu.
Day 11. Thimphu:
After breakfast we visit the National Memorial Chorten 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).
The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when
the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body move to Punakha the ancient
winter capital of Bhutan. We finally visit the Handicrafts
Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for
sale.
Day 12. Thimphu- Punakha: (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. 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.Overnight in Hotel.
Day 13. Punakha - Thimphu:
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch at Thimphu and
drive toParo. Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fort
of Bhutan. Over night in Hotel.
Day 14. Paro - Airport:
Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell. |
