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Heart of Bhutan Trek |
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Heart of Bhutan |
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Itinerary in Detail
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Day
01 : Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) - Paro
The flight to Paro is one of the most
spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see Mt.
Everest, Kanchen Junga, Makalu and other peaks in
Bhutan such as Jhomulhari and Jichu Drake. The first
gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air
as you step out of the plane. Your Bhutanese escort
from Bhutan will greet you on arrival, and then
drive you the short distance to the hotel Olathang.
Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of
hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Although the
site of the nation’s first airport Paro still
retains tradition by way of architecture and
farming.
Afternoon drive to visit National Museum, Ta dzong,
an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National
Museum. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles,
weapons and armour, household objects and rich
assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Below the Museum is the Paro 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.
The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main
shopping district. Overnight at hotel Olathang. |
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Day 02 :
Paro sightseeing
After breakfast drive the winding road to the
Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once
defended this valley from Tibetan invasions and on
your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the
oldest temple in Bhutan (7th century). Lunch served
at a restaurant in Paro town. After lunch visit Ta
Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the
National Museum. This dzong was converted into the
National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique
thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household
objects and rich assortment of natural and historic
artifacts.
We also visit 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. Dinner and overnight at
hotel. |
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Day
03 : Paro – Taktsang – Thimphu
Morning drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to
Takstang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, the most
photographed in Bhutan. The monastery has been
rebuilt after a disastrous fire destroyed it some
years ago. The monastery can only be viewed from
afar as it is not open to the public. The view is
however worth the steep 1 & half hour walk up a wide
mountain path. Here it is being said that Guru
Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in
the 8th century. Lunch served at the viewpoint
cafeteria and then walk back to the road point and
visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in
Bhutan and then continue your drive to Thimphu,the
modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around
1˝ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000.
The town is made up of just three lines of shops and
is the only capital in the world without traffic
lights. In the evening visit the Handicrafts
Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese
handicrafts for sale. Overnight at hotel. |
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Day 04 : Thimphu valley sightseeing
After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of
Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city.
Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white
flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo
where you can see the National animal Takin research
centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a
small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery
and then drive to the Tango Monastery for a picnic
lunch.The hike to the monastery takes about 45
minutes. It is a 13th Century structure and today is
home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist Philosophy
and meditation. Thimphu sightseeing continues with
the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored
Bhutanse farmhouse from the last century) and the
National Painting School. In the evening visit the
National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd
king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity
to mix with the local population). All the buildings
in Bhutan conform to national building principals
and are beautifully carved and decorated. Dinner at
Royal Golf Club. Overnight at hotel. |
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Day 05 :
Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast drive over the Docchu-La pass (3050
m) into the beautiful valley of Punakha. The
teahouse at the pass offers beautiful views of the
Himalayan range in the distance. This is a 3 hour
drive with stops en route. Afternoon visit the
magnificent Dzong spanning the MoChu and Po Chu
rivers. This is the winter residence of the monastic
body and the Je Khenpo (chief Abbott). If time
permits a hike to Khamsum Yule Chorten is
worthwhile. Dinner and overnight at hotel. |
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Day 06 : Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang
Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the
central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via
Trongsa is approximately 7 hours crossing over Pele
La pass (3,300 m) and Yotongla pass (3,400 m). "The
Central Road", across the Black Mountains, was
completed 30 years ago, and it brought about great
changes to the people in central Bhutan.
We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district
headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short
stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically
located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of
the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb
steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation
and then to Pelela Pass (3,300 m) with an alpine
environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This
pass is traditionally considered the boundary
between West and East Bhutan. If the weather is
clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly
the peak of Jhomulhari (7,314 m) to the west. En
route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many
centuries ago to suppress a demon. After lunch we go
out to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral
home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong
commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan.
We also visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower,
above the main Dzong, which has an interesting
display of Mongol armour. We then drive to Bumthang
valley (described as “ one of the most beautiful
spot in the Himalayas” across the Yotongla pass
(3,400 m). Overnight at Rinchenling Lodge. |
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Day
07 : Bumthang sightseeing
Bumthang is said to be one of the most spectacular
valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of
Buddhism. Here many great teachers meditated and
left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and
his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led
to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.
In the morning we hike to visit Tamshing Monastery
(one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton
Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru
Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body
imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang
(one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th
century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district
administration).
In the afternoon hike to Thangbi valley across the
suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang
built in the 14th century. Dinner and overnight at
hotel Rinchenling lodge. |
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Day 08 :
Bumthang – Gangtey – Wangdue
The drive to Wangdue takes about 7 hours via Gangtey.
Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue
on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an
old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the
17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the
valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha.
The gentle sloping hillsides of Phobjikha is
described as "the most beautiful valley in the
Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked
cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the
north to pass winter in milder and lower climate.
Overnight at hotel. |
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Day
09 : Wangdue – Thimphu
After breakfast a short drive will take you into the
valley of Lobesa and from the road point walk for 20
minutes through the rice terraced fields to the
temple of Chhimi Lhakhang, temple of the divine
madman” Drukpa Kuenley” which is mostly visited by
women who are unable to bear children. After the
visit then drive back to Thimphu. Evening ends with
a stroll through the main street of Thimphu. Dinner
and overnight at hotel. |
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Day
10 :
Thimphu – Phuentsholing
After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing which is
approximately 5 hours and covers 177 kms. The drive
to southern plains is through the thick forest of
junipers, cider, oak, rhododendrons, magnolia and
also you will find lots of species of wildlife.
Lunch served at Bunakha Tourist Restaurant. Enroute
visit Kharbandi situated on a spur overlooking the
Indian plains and continue your drive to
Phuentsholing where your Bhutan representatives will
help you with the exit formalities and drive you to
the border town of Jaigaon and bid you farewell and
happy journey back home. |
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Further Information
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