| 5. Bhutan - The Himalayan Splendor |
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07 Nights / 08 Days Tour
(Covering Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang, Punakha and Wangdiphodrang)
Day 01 - Arrive Paro
Get on board
Druk Air
,
Bhutan
’s national airline, from
Bangkok
,
Kolkotta,
New Delhi
or
Kathmandu
bound for Paro. The flight to Paro offers fascinating views of the eastern
Himalayan range, including
Mt.
Everest
. On arrival you
will be received by your guide and driven to the capital,
Thimphu
.
Overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu
.
Day 02 –
Thimphu
sightseeing
In the morning, visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa
conscpetualised by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later
built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother. Other important
places include the
Folk
Heritage
Museum
for an insight into the medieval lifestyle of the Bhutanese; the National Library
which contains collections of literature and scriptures; the
Textile
Museum
for ancient Bhutanese textile collections; a Nunnery, the 12th century Changgangkha temple; and a drive to the viewpoint of
Thimphu
and national animal-Takin research center. If time permits, visit Tashicho
Dzong, the center of government and the
monastic order. Independent tour of the town.
Overnight at Hotel
in
Thimphu
.
Day 03-
Thimphu
-
Trongsa (200 Km, 6 Hours)
The journey to central
Bhutan
takes about 7-8 hours
passing through alpine and coniferous forests across three districts. While the
drive can be arduous, there are, however, splendid views of mountain ranges,
village hamlets and two high passes. Pack lunch will be served at Chendebji, an
ancient Newari stupa like those found in
Nepal
.
Arrive Trongsa and check into the lodge.
Day 04- Trongsa –Bumthang sightseeing (68 Km, 2 1/2
Hours)
 After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the most
impressive in the kingdom. Built in 17th century by Shabdrung, this is a
masterpiece of architecture with several courtyards and corridors and 23
temples.
Drive to Bumthang through the most scenic landscape of
lush pine forests, open fields and quaint hamlets.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge. After lunch,
visit Kurje Lhakhang where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left
his body imprint on a rock; the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing
Monastery (one of the oldest), the Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the
region) and Swiss Farm House.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 05 - Bumthang - Wangdiphodrang (197 Km, 6
Hours)
 After breakfast, explore the fascinating
valley
of
Bumthang
before driving back to Trongsa where lunch will be served at a local
restaurant, famous for its traditional cuisine. Continue to Wangduephodrang. Evening
at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Wangdiphodrang.
Day 06- Punakha Sightseeing - Paro (125 Km, 4.1/2
Hours)
Drive to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, a massive
structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of
Bhutan
until
1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first
King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. After lunch, proceed to Paro. En route visit traditional Bhutanese
farmhouse, which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people and their
culture. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07- Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to Ta Dzong, originally the
Watch
Tower
for the Rinpung Dzong. It was later converted into the National Museum of the
Kingdom and boasts a wide range of antique thangkha paintings, textiles,
weapons & armour, household objects and natural and historic artifacts.
Walk down the
trail to Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the
seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school.
The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols
and the lives of prominent saints.
After lunch, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, the fort of the
victorious Drukpas. Although gutted by a fire, this fort is renowned as the
stand from which several Tibetan invasions were repulsed. To the north can be seen in all its majesty,
the dome of sacred
Mt.
Chomolhari
or the abode
of the "mountain of goddess.”
En route, see one of the oldest landmarks in
Bhutan
.
The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the
Himalayas
by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered
as one of the most holy shrines in
Bhutan
and embodies the arrival of
Buddhism here.
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 08- Departure
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward
destination. Representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours will bid you farewell.
TASHI DELEK
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