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| [ 20 Oct - 31 Oct 2007 ] |
| 11 Nights / 12 Days |
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| Itinerary |
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Day 01
October 20
Arrival at Paro International Airport (By Druk Air flight KTM-PBH sector)
Your Guide from Bhutan Yak Adventure Travel will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel. Afternoon drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, 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. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jomolhari (7,314 m). The peak is covered with snow through out the year. On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Paro. |
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Day 02
October 21
Paro Taktsang Hike - Thimphu
After breakfast a short drive to Sartsam Chorten. From here a short (1 ½ hour) hike 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. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort. In the afternoon drive to the capital city Thimphu (approx. 2 hrs. drive). In Thimphu visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck by the late Royal Grandmother Gayum Phuntsho Chodden. Visit the Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Drive to Sangaygang view point where you will have a great view of Thimphu city. On your return visit the zoo where you can see the National animal of Bhutan, Takin. If time permits visit the bustling weekend market at down town Thimphu. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Thimphu. |
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Day 03
October 22
Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). Also visit 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 Trashichho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Jhe Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Afternoon, we drive to Semtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu town. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Thimphu. |
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Day 04
October 23
Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdue
After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. You will take a scenic drive across the Dochula Pass where you will have a superb view of the Himalayan range of mountains if the weather is clear. Driving through swarms of prayer flags fluttering in the wind you cross the pass and descend into the sub-tropical Punakha valley. Before arriving to Punakha you will take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley who is also known as the “Devine Mad Man”. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “The Temple of Fertility”. This beautiful temple is known for increasing fertility in woman and in recent years Bhutanese women have been joined by women from other countries who journey to this temple in hopes of becoming pregnant. Aside from its significance to women the temple is located in a wide-open valley making it a beautiful short walk en route to Punakha. Visit the Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and is situated between Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (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 Namgyel 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 Jhe-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Wangdue. |
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Day 05
October 24
Wangdue - Trongsa
After breakfast, visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong. The Dzong was 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 Chhu and Tang Chhu rivers. Drive onwards to Trongsa. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Trongsa. |
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Day 06
October 25
Trongsa - Bumthang
After a late breakfast, visit the 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 the first two hereditary Kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Also visit the 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 onwards to Bumthang. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Bumthang. |
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Day 07
October 26
Prakar Tsechu (Festival)
After an early breakfast, the whole day witness the festival. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Bumthang. |
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Day 08
October 27
Prakar Tsechu (Festival)
After an early breakfast, the whole day witness the festival. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Bumthang. |
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Day 09
October 28
Bumthang - Wangdue
Morning witness the festival. Then drive back towards Wangduephodrang. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Wangdue. |
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Day 10
October 29
Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro
Morning drive to Thimphu via the Dochula Pass. Lunch at Thimphu. Onward drive to Paro. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel, Paro. |
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Day 11
October 30
Paro - Haa - Paro
After breakfast, drive to Haa Valley. In Haa, visit the Karpo and Nagpo Monasteries and while driving to Paro, you can drive through the Chelela pass to see the beautiful scenery and walk up the pass (Above tree line for Photography). You can view Mt. Jomolhari and the beautiful scenery of the whole valley. Dinner/Overnight: Hotel Paro. |
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Day 12
October 31
Paro Departure PBH-KTM sector
Early Morning, drive to Paro International Airport and farewell. End of Bhutan tour. |
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