Cultural Tour of Western & Central Bhutan
Proposed Programme
May 2, Fri
Day - 1 Arrive Paro by Druk-Air. During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your tour who will escort you to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel Drive to Thimphu. The drive takes you through winding road along the Paro and Thimphu river. It takes about 2 hrs. The distance is 65kms. On the way, visit the Simtokha Dzong ( Dzong means Fortress ). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. It houses one of the largest monastic schools in the country. Check in at hotel
May 3, Sat
Day - 2 Thimphu After an early breakfast, visit the “Sabji Bazaar” or the famous week end market where all the residents of Thimphu come to do their weekly grocery shopping. This event offers a wonderful insight into the traditions of the Drukpas and their way of life. Some great bargains are available for textiles and other handicrafts. Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. Evening leisure time to walk around Thimphu and talk to residents. People in Bhutan are very friendly and eager to talk with westerners. Overnight at hotel
May 4, Sun
Day - 3 Thimphu Visit Sangye gang or Takin Sanctuary where the national animal of Bhutan is housed. There is a panoramic view of Thimphu valley from this hill top. Also, visit the Zhilukha nunnery. Watch an archery match which happens all over the country on week ends. This is the national past time of men folk in Bhutan. These matches last all day long sometimes amidst much joking, singing and dancing. Drive to Dechenphodrag temple in Dechencholing. This temple is very sacred to Thimphu residents and it is not an often visited site. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at hotel.
May 5, Mon
Day - 4 Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (77kms) After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, halt at Dochula Pass ( 26kms ) for a hot cup of tea/coffee and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. (possible on a clear day). Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means “ Male river and Female river ”. It is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D. Wandiphodrang lies 13kms from Punakha. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong and its small town is perched on a hill between two rivers. This Dzong also houses the District Administration office of the Wangdi district and the office and the living quarters of the district monk body. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D. Also, Visit Chime Lhagang. Overnight at hotel
May 6, Tue
Day - 5 Punakha - Trongsa After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa ( 142kms ). The journey takes about 6 hrs with lunch stop on the way. Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. Overnight at hotel
May 7, Wed
Day - 6 After an early breakfast, leave for Bumthang. The journey takes about 3 hrs ( 68kms. ) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. ( Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities. ) Bumthang sight seeing : Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi ( Temporal ruler ) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso “ The flaming Lake ” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.
May 8, Thu
Day - 7 A full day excursion to Ura Valley ( 65kms from Bumthang ). Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening.
May 9, Fri
Day - 8 Drive to Paro – this will be a long drive – 10-11 hours. Stops along the way for photographs. Check into hotel for the night
May 10, Sat
Day - 9 Sleep in and eat a leisurely breakfast. Visit the National museum ( Ta-Dzong ). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Picnic lunch along the banks of the Paro river Visit Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower ( Utse ) of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.
May 11, Sun
Day -10 After breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten ( 10kms ) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “ Tiger’s Nest ”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. Evening: Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house for a traditional dinner and be treated to a “Chub tsen” or hot stone bath. This is the Drukpa equivalent to a hot tub where river rocks are gathered and burned until they are red hot. A wooden “wah” or tub is filled with water and the red hot rocks are placed in the tub. A person then soaks in the wah with a pitcher of “arak” or the local rice drink! The Drukpas believe that the minerals from the rocks,offer relief for aching muscles. The “arak” also helps a weary person relax! Overnight at hotel
May 12, Mon
Day - 11 Departure for Kathmandu
