Bumthang Prakar Tshechu - 20 Oct - 31 Oct 2007 |
| Day 01: October 20 (Arrival Paro by Druk Air flight KTM-PBH sector) Our guide/representative will receive you at Paro International Airport and drive you to the hotel. After lunch, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Nawang 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. Jumolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Evening visit Bhutanese Traditional House. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 02: October 21 (Paro Taktsang Hike – Thimphu) A very special day with an excursion to view the spectacular Takshang Monastery. “Takshang” literally means Tiger’s Nest – The Monastery is believed to have been built in 1684 on the spot where Guru Rimpoche (founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) flew on the back of a Tigress and meditated to subdue the demons in Paro valley. The trail to the Monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. This incredible Monastery clings vertically to the edge of a granite rock cliff that plunges 900 meters above the valley floor. After lunch, visit Taa Dzong, a watchtower to the Dzong below in ancient times, now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, now is the centre of Administrative and Religious authority of Paro valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Evening drive to Thimphu. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 03: October 22 (Thimphu Sightseeing) Full day sight seeing: Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin (National Animal of Bhutan), Sangyegang View Point, Preservation Center Tashichhodzong (the central secretariat building), National Library, Painting School, Indigenous Hospital, National Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Memorial Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, Hand made Paper factory and Dup-Thop Monastery. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight hotel. |
| Day 04: October 23 (Thimphu - Punakha – Wangdue) After breakfast drive to Punakha across the Dochula Pass alt. 3050 Meters. If the weather is clear, you will have great view of the Higher Himalayas from the pass. Continue drive to Punakha with a stop at Missina to hike to visit Chhimi Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kunley who is also known as the Devine Mad Man. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is regarded as a pilgrimage site for barren couple and is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. This beautiful temple is known for increasing fertility in woman and of late, even women from across the world drop by to this temple in hopes of conceiving. Aside from its significance to women, the temple is located in a wide-open valley away from the road point for visitors to take l short walk while on the way to Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1637. This Dzong has a historical significance in the Bhutanese History and is open to visitors only in summer when the monk body moves to Thimphu. Visit the newly built Khamsum Yulley Monastery and walk around the valley on foot. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 05: October 24 (Wangdue – Gangtey) After breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing at Wangdiphodrang valley - visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Continue drive to Gangtey. Check into Hotel/Guest House and visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyalse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyel is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Continue sightseeing and drive to Phobjikha valley, which is a wide open and a beautiful valley. This valley is also a winter home of the rare and endangered species bird ‘Black Necked Crane’ that migrate from the Tibetan plateaus in the north. Their arrival numbers have been steadily increasing over the years as the Phobjikha grounds have proved ideal and safe for them. You may be able to spot some as they go back only by mid of March. Overnight Hotel/Guest House |
| Day 06: October 25 (Gangtey-Trongsa-Bumthang) After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the biggest and 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 Rabgye. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel. After Lunch, drive to Bumthang. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 08: October 27 (Bumthang) Attend full day festival, Overnight Hotel |
| Day 09: October 28 (Bumthang) Morning attend Festival & sightseeing – Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjee Lhakhang, Thamsing Lhakhang, Kenchosum Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Lamey Goempa and stroll around the valley on foot. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 10: October 29 (Bumthang-Thimphu) Early breakfast, drive to Thimphu. The drive will be approximately 9 hrs. and quite tiring. Evening at leisure. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 11: October 30 (Paro - Haa – Paro) After breakfast, drive to Haa Valley. In Haa, visit the Karpo and Nagpo Monasteries and drive back to Paro via Chelela pass (Alt. appx.4000 Mtrs.) to see the beautiful scenery and walk up the pass (Above tree line for Photography). If weather is clear, you can view Mt. Jumolhari and the beautiful scenery of the whole valley. Overnight Hotel |
| Day 12: October 31 (Departure PBH-KTM Sector) Early Morning, drive to Paro International Airport and departure.  |
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