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Sample
itinerary that can be customized:
Day 01: Arrive in Paro
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is breathtaking,
with views of eastern Himalayan peaks. You are met by your
driver and guide and transferred to your hotel to settle in.
Afternoon visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The
evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02: Paro
After breakfast drive to visit Drukgyal Dzong and
also visit a typical Bhutanese farm house of a local family for
a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. Then take an
excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The beautiful
excursion to the monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip.
While returning to hotel visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the
oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel
in Paro.
Day 03: Paro – Thimphu (2 hours)
After breakfast drive to Thimphu, capital city of
Bhutan. Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in
Bhutan built in 1627). If time permits visit the National
Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong and Handicrafts Emporium.
Evening free and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04:T himphu – Punakha (3 hours)
Morning visit the National Library, Traditional
Medicine Institute, Arts & Crafts School, Textile and Folk
Heritage Museum, Traditional paper factory, Zilukha Nunnery,
Takin mini Zoo. After lunch drive to Punakha (an ancient capital
of Bhutan). Stop en route at Dochula pass (3050 m) for
refreshments. On a clear day this pass often offers panoramic
views of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. Late afternoon
visit the Punakha Dzong (the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the
Chief Abbot and the central monastic body) Overnight at the
hotel in Punakha.
Day 05: Punakha – Gangtey - Trongsa (6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Trongsa is via Wangdue and
across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft). The pass is marked by a
large white chorten prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in
vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high
altitude dwarf bamboo. Enroute visit Gangtey Gompa, the only
Nyingmapa monastery in this region. Then continue onwards,
reaching Chendebji Chorten in time for lunch. Arrive at Trongsa
in afternoon and check into the hotel for the night.
Day 06: Trongsa - Bumthang (3 hours)
After breakfast, visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong,
ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. Both the first and second
Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All
four Kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (‘governer’) prior to
ascending the throne, and the present Crown Prince now holds the
post. The Dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping
down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Then drive
to Bumthang, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The
road winds up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs down
through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley of
Bumthang. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan
and also the heartland of Buddhism. In the morning visit Kurjey
Lhakhang (where the saint Guru Pasmasambhava subdued a local
demon and left his body imprint on a rock) and Tamshing
Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton
Pema Lingpa). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest
temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong
(administrative center of the region). Stroll in the town and
villages. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 08: Bumthang – Mongar (7-8 hours)
The journey continues eastwards winding through more
rugged terrain. The drive with spectacular views will take about
7 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing
sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the
Thrumshingla pass (4,000 m). The descent stops at 700m, on a
bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forest, maize
fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit Mongar Dzong,
built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the
architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight at the lodge
in Mongar.
Day 09: Mongar – Trashigang - Rangung (5 hours)
After breakfast drive across Kori la pass (2,450m),
the place marked by a pretty chorten and a stone wall. The first
part of the journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns.
Later road descends rapidly through corn fields and banana
groves arriving the famous ziazags of Yadi, which is a recent
settlement. About 40 km onwards lies Trashigang at 1000m.
Trashigang is the centre of the biggest and most populated
district in the country. Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the
extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri river. It serves
as the administrative seat for the district. Continue further
for 2 hours to Rangung. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 10: Rangung – Trashigang – Mongar
Morning visit Rangung Monastery and continue to
Mongar. Overnight at the hotel in Mongar.
Day 11: Mongar – Bumthang
After breakfast drive back to Bumthang with lunch
enroute. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 12: Bumthang – Wangdue (6 hours)
After breakfast drive to Wangdue via Trongsa. Lunch
would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in
Trongsa town. Overnight at Chuzomsa, Wangdue.
Day 13: Wangdue – Thimphu – Paro (5 hours)
Morning visit proceed to Paro across Dochula pass.
Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong. Lunch in Thimphu and after
shopping drive to Paro. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the
hotel in Paro.
Day 14:Departure from Bhutan by air
After early breakfast, drive to the airport for
flight to onward destination.
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