 Day
01:
The flight to Paro is one of the
most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see
Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan
such as Chomalhari, Jichu Drakey, Tsrim Khang. The first
gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as
you step out of the plain. You will be traditionally
received by the representative ITT and transferred to
Kichu Resort.
Day
02:
Paro Sightseeing: Morning hike
up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The climb
upto the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy
the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava
landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and
meditated for three months. The monastery was later
built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the cafe
walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch.
Afternoon visit the Ta-dzong, built in the 17th century
as a watch tower for the Paro dzong. This dzong was
later converted into the national museum in 1967, and
is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles,
weapons and armour. Drive to the Rinpung dzong, built
in 17th century, to defend the valley against Tibetan
invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration
centre and school for monks. Overnight at Kichu Resort.
Day
03:
Paro-Thimpu. Drive to Thimphu
(65Km), the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will
take around 2 hours. Check in at Hotel Taksang or similar.
After lunch, visit the Memorial Stupa of the late King,
built in 1974, the indigenous Hospital, where traditional
medicine is still practiced, and the Painting School,
where children still learn the ancient art of painting.
Overnight at hotel River view or similar.
Day
04:
Thimphu-Wangdi. Drive to Wangdi
via the Dochula Pass (alt. 3050). An hour's drive from
Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050m). From here
one can have a superb view of the highest peaks of Bhutan,
such as Gangkar Puensum, Table mountain, Jele Khang,
Masakhang and Gangcheyta. After lunch visit Punakha
dzong (when the monk body are not there) and walk around
the main street of Punakha. Overnight at Kichu Wangdi
Resort.
Day 05:
Wangdi-Tongsa. Drive to Tongsa
(139 Km), via Pele la Pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres.
Stay ovemjght at Tourist Lodge or similar.
Day
06:
Tongsa-Bumthang. Drive to Bumthang
(68Km), a journey of about three hours. After lunch
at Tamshing tourist lodge, visit the Jakar dzong, built
in the 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal, the first religious king of Bhutan. The dzong
js now used as the administration centre for Bumthang
valley. Then drive to Kurjey monastrey, where Guru Padmasambava
left his body imprint in the 8th century. The temple
was later built in the 17th century. Overnight at Karma
Tobden Guest House.
Day
07:
Day excursion to Ura vi1lage (58Km)
Enroute visit Membertso lake, where Terton Pemalingpa,
the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambava, is supposed
to have discovered religious treasures in the 12th century.
Drive on to Ura village at an altitude of 3300 metres.
Visit the village and the temple and drive back to Bumthang
for overnight stay.
Day
08:
Morning free to relax. Afternoon
drive to Tongsa (68Km). If time permits, visit the Ta-dzong
(watch tower), which was used to defend the dzong in
the 17th century. Overnight at tourist lodge or similar.
Day
09:
Drive to Thimphu (198Km). Lunch
at Wangdi Phodrang and drive on to Thimphu for stay
overnight at Hotel River View or similar.
Day
10:
Morning free. After lunch drive
to Paro and Check into Kichu Resort.
Day 11:
Transfer to the airport for final
departure |
