| Day 1 |
Arrive Paro by Druk air A319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by ITT members. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar. |
| Day 2 |
Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still
attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro
valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear
weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through
the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into
the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven
floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to
the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the
administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional
bridge into Paro Town . Evening at leisure. Overnight at Kichu Resort or similar. |
| Day 3 |
Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost. The
hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine
forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro
valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening drive 2 hours to Thimphu and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained road through out Bhutan . Overnight at Hotel Druk or River view or similar.
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| Day 4 |
AM sightseeing - visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of
healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight same.
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Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochula pass 3100
meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest
mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way
downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong
which served as an old capital of Bhutan . This remarkable fortress is built between two
rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of
February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory
over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area. Check into Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar. |
Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The
only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also
home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the
harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal
Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measures to ensure the safety of
the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks
are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley.
Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort. |
Today the drive takes about 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The
route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered
hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18
century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town known as
Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the
most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled
from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the
building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center.
Overnight at Karma Tobden Guest House or similar. |
Bumthang altitude 2600m, has an individuality that charms its visitors and
separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual
region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and
his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also
known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale.
Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery,
Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more
interesting done on foot. Overnight same. |
Today will be the longest drive almost 8/9 hours to Mongar winding through more
rugged terrain. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning lake. If there is time a
short visit to Ura village. The drive from Ura is all the way uphill crossing the highest
motor road pass nemed Thrumshing la in Bhutan at 4050 meters. The panoramic view from the
pass is just thrilling. Down route from the pass goes through alpine & rhododendron
forest reaching Sengor for lunch stop. This small village is a open vast land surrounded
mainly by pine forest. The drive from here is hair raising as the roads is narrow and the
bends gets sharper but the scenic beauty is truly enchanting passing cascading
waterfalls, terraced fields and scattered farm houses. After descending at an altitude
of 700 meters the climate gets warmer. Mongar is located on a hill side and is a new
town. The Dzong built not long ago maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs.
Overnight Hotel on room availability or camp. |
The road from Mongar to Trashigang begins through lush forests and ferns passing
over Kori la pass. Descend rapidly through corn fields and banana grooves passing Yedi
village. Follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi perched atop a steep
hill. It is also famous for the dance called Drametsi Nga cham (Drum dance). Trashigang
lies 30 kilometers from the junction and lies on top of a steep hill. This district is
the biggest and most populated in the Kingdom. The Dzong built strategically on the spur
going out towards the Gamri river. Overnight Hotel. |
Sightseeing - Drive 2 hours to Tashi Yangtsi. On the way visit Gom Kora
monastery located near a river. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche turned into a Garuda to
subdue a demon and the imprints of serpent and his body can be seen. Also there is a
passage leading from one end to the other end of the huge boulder and who ever crosses
the passage his/her sins will be forgiven. Next stop is at Duksum a small village
boasting of the oldest iron suspension bridge built during the 15 century by Drupthob
Chazampa builder of iron bridges. Further on lies the beautiful Chorten Kora a huge white
washed stupa surrounded by a small community who make the famous wooden bowels (Dapa).
Drive back to Trashigang. Overnight Hotel. |
| Drive back to Mongar. O/n Hotel |
Drive to Bumthang. O/n Hotel. |
| Drive to wangduephodrang. Overnight Resort. |
Drive to Paro. Overnight Kichu resort or similar. |
Departure by flight. |
| OR |
Drive 6/7 hours to Samdrupjongkhar. On the way visit Kanglung the only
university in Bhutan . Further on visit the blind school and the famous weaving center.
The road takes you through numerous towns and villages. the drive can be both adventurous
and awesome. Upon arrival at Samdrupjongkhar the climate is warmer and more busy than the
last visited areas since it is the border town with India . Overnight Hotel. |
| You will be received and driven 3 hours to Guwahati by the Indian agent. |
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