Welcome to the land of the Thunder Dragon. Our ground team will welcome you and we will be heading towards Thimphu, the Capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes around an hour following the Wangchu river upwards passing through several villages. Thimpu is a unique city which maintains a balance between the esoteric and espresso with a warm soul. On our way to Thimpu, the biggest attraction of our sightseeing is Tacho Goemba Monastery, which dates back to the early 15th century built by the saint who is popularly known as the Iron chain maker. To go to the temple, one must cross an iron bridge dating back to 15th century built by the same saint. We will also be visiting the biggest Buddha statue in Kuensel Phodrang, 15 Century Chortens of the Bhutanese, Nepalese and Tibetans, the Memorial Chorten in honor of the third king of Bhutan, Changangkha Lhakhang, and Tashi Cho Dzong. Peek at the Folk Heritage Museum to glance through the traditional and authentic lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. And if you are planning to commence your journey between Friday to Sunday, we will be lucky to witness the local market and traditional textiles in Centerary Farmer's Market. Overnight stay in Thimphu
After a heartwarming Bhutanese breakfast, we will be heading for a day's trip of sightseeing in and around Thimphu. The tour will encompass the best of Thimphu's cultural landmarks, scenic viewpoints, and hidden traditions. We will be visiting Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple of Bhutan built in 12th Cent. and the unique Drubthob Gomba Nunnery. It would be a rare experience to visit Takin Preservation Center, where the national animal of Bhutan, Takin (a goat-antelope) is preserved. Visit the National Library and Traditional Medicine Center where the ancient manuscripts of the country are well archived and know more about the traditional healing techniques passed on over centuries in the form of medical-lore. After visiting the Arts and Craft Institute, we will be heading towards Sangaygang which provides a breath-taking view of the capital city. It would be a perfect ending of the day to visit the Tashi Cho Dzong which the office of the Royal house of Bhutan and built in the 16th Century. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Today we will be heading towards the earlier capital of Bhutan, Punakha. Adorned by Pho and Mo Chu rivers and colored by the green of the valley Punakha is like a hidden retreat. The way to Punakha from Thimpu is one of the most beautiful road tracks of the country, where we will be gliding through the labyrinths of blue pine, oak, and rhododendrons with the background canvas of the mighty Himalayas and profound valleys. On the way, we will be crossing the longest suspension bridge of the country and the famous 108 stupas. Punakha is at a lower elevation than Thimpu at 1200mts amsl and is generally warmer. In the spring the lilac-colored jacarandas and the green shades of the paddy fields make it more enchanting. Today we will be taking some short beautiful hikes and the hike to Chimmi Lhakhang (The Temple of Divine Madman) passing through Lobesa village is considered to be one of the most beautiful hikes of the country. We will be taking a short walk to Sobsokha village to witness the simplicities of the daily lives of the local people. Finally, we will end the beautiful day by visiting the Punakha Dzong which has been the place of coronation of most of the kings of Bhutan. Overnight stay in Punakha.
It is going to be a day of exploring the off the beaten track and some adrenaline rushing adventures. Firstly, we will be taking a 45 minutes hike through paddy fields and pine forests to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Chorten which provides a magnificent view of the entire valley. Then we will be walking along the mountain ridge to explore a few more historical living architectures dating back to the 18th century. We will be visiting the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery which boasts the traditional architecture and the gold-tip large white stupa and will be heading towards the historical Talo Goemba and Nalanda Buddhist Institute which has shaped the cultural and religious significance of Punakha. After exploring the nooks of Punakha, its time for pumping up the adrenaline. Near Punakha Dzong, we will be going for a 9 - 10 km of rafting either on Mo Chu or Pho Chu depending on the previous experiences and rafting skills. The 2 hours of rafting will be done with the proper guidance of a professional rafting instructor. Overnight stay in Punakha.
A ride of 90 km from Punakha will take us to the quaint terrain of Phobjikha where the simplicity and smiling faces will warm and win your heart. In Phobjika ( which is also known as Gangtey) there is no touristy razzmatazz and a large section of the area has been preserved as a conservation area for the endangered black-necked cranes which migrate to Bhutan from Central Asia during the winters. Visit the Centre to learn more about the conservation of this endangered species and use the powerful spotting scope to spot them. Also, the visit to the Gangtey Goemba, the most important monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism to know about the multifarious dimensions of Tibetian Buddhism. Later, we will explore the valley through a pleasurable hike from the Gangtey Monastery through the flower meadows of Semchubara village, pristine forests - open valleys and after passing by a Chorten and Khewa Lhakhang, we will be reaching our accommodation. For those with a more adventurous spirit, explore the glacial Phobjika valley through a mountain bike trail. The trail takes you deeper into the wildland overlooking sparkling streams and finally reaching the remote temple of Tongchoe and the village of Yamuchen. Overnight stay in Pbobjikha.
After an amazing stay at Phobjikha, today we will be heading towards Paro via Thimpu. Not just because of the charming scenic beauty of the place but it is also famous for being the home of one of the oldest and revered monasteries of Bhutan. It is the gateway of the famous Tiger's Nest monastery. In Paro, we will be experiencing the simplicity and gleefulness of Bhutanese village life from a close proximity. The surroundings are clustered with painting-like-farmhouses. Take a leisurely stroll down the village paths and witness the calmness of the village lifestyle, their traditions, beautiful farmhouses and relish the relish the delicious home-cooked Bhutanese authentic cuisine. We will be having a short visit to the Lampelri Royal Botanical Park where the Rhododendron festival is held and the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1638. Overnight stay in Paro.
The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor (30 mins) to meet our ponies; while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the Sang Choekor which serves as a Buddhist University. About 1-2 hours walk away is the Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple); which nestles at the side of the mountain. The trail continues and when we reach the last slope elevation we will see a temple overlooking the views of Paro airport and the snow-capped Himalaya. After another 20 minutes of climbing through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we hike into the ancient forest for about 40 minutes before we reach a wide meadow dotted with sacred Chortens and prayer flags. After picnic lunch you can visit the monastery and can also climb the peak to the north (about 4,000m) for even better views, returning in time for a well-deserved dinner. Your home for the night is tucked away just under Bumdra Monastery (Cave of a Thousand Prayers) and offers mesmerizing views of the snowy Himalayan range. Overnight Camping.
After a hearty breakfast, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger a while soaking up the views and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually, we have to descend into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zigzagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent, we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Zangtopelri (Heaven on Earth). From there you can bravely peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs of Taktsang Monastery lodged against the cliffs far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall. The final descent takes 60 minutes to the valley floor. Tiger’ Nest (Taktshang Monastery): Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche flew from Eastern Bhutan on a tigress, bringing Buddhist teachings and meditated here in a cave on this cliff for three months. This is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world. Overnight stay in Paro.
It's going to be a grand and eventful day. We will be visiting the most ancient architectural marvels in Bhutan's history and the highest motorable pass in the country. Paro Rimpung Dzong, the fortress which is said to have been constructed on a heap of Jewels by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1646, will be our first stop today. Then we will be further heading towards Ta Dzong, the ancient watchtower built in 1651, now transformed to be the National Museum housing rich collection art, relics, and thangka. In the excursion, we will be also visiting Dumtseg Lhakhang, Dzongdra temple, Drukgyal Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. On our final leg of the trip, we will be driving up to the Chelala Pass, the highest motorable road (3990 meters) in Bhutan. From the Chelala Pass, you will enjoy the magnificent view of the Mt. Jhomolhari (7300m). You will also be able to spot the Tiger’s Nest and the beautiful views of two districts Paro and Haa. Overnight stay in Paro.
After the breakfast, our representatives will bid a fond farewell to the magical kingdom in the sky and wish you a happy journey back home. Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight with full of Bhutanese nostalgia.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
