Paro Thimphu Punakha Pilgrimage Tour
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Places covered: Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang - Wangdue
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive at Paro (Bhutan)
The group will be received by our representative at the Paro International Airport and will be transferred directly to your hotel. Paro is a beautiful valley. There should be time for a quick stroll around Paro town before lunch. In the afternoon you can also visit the ruined Drugyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan which adds up to the unique culture of a spiritual kingdom of Bhutan. Overnight at Paro.Day 2 Paro to Thimphu/67km/1 and Half hour drive approximately.
After an early breakfast drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. On reaching Thimphu, take a short stroll down the street before lunch. Visit the Tashichhodzong to witness (Thimphu Tshechu, Sept 17th - 19th) and learn the spiritual aspects of the unique kingdom. It is believed that people watch tshechu's to wash away their sins. After a light lunch visit the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum dedicated to connect people and the rural past. The Memorial Stupa is a shrine built by the Queen mother of Bhutan in memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Also visit the Handicrafts Emporium and drive to Sanjaygang where you will have a good view of Thimphu town. On your return visit the Takin Preserve where one can see the National animal of Bhutan, Takin. Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 3 Thimphu Sightseeing.
After breakfast, sightseeing of Thimphu Valley includes, visit to the National Library, a treasure of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Traditional Medicine Institute, where herbal remedies are still practiced; the Painting School, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist Thangkhas, and the mask workshops. Also visit the Traditional Paper Manufacturing unit. Programme as convenient in the evening. Overnight at ThimphuDay 4 Thimphu to Punakha/73km/3 hours drive approximately.
Drive towards Punakha after an early breakfast. On the way to Punakha one can also visit the Semtokha Dzong, which is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627. After crossing Semtokha the first hamlet is Yusuepang, famous for its experimental potato farm. Further ahead is the village of Hongtso, where there is a check post for inspecting the travel permits of foreigners. Later beyond Hongtso you come to the majestic sight of the Dochu La Pass (3,080 m / 10,00 ft) where one can get to see 108 Druk Wangyel Chortoens and also the majestic Druk Wangyel Lhakhang built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Numerous prayer flags stretch across the road. Viewing these beautiful prayer flags and the prayer wheels one can imagine the depth of spiritualism in Bhutan. Every Bhutanese take it as a pride to turn the prayer wheels in a clock wise direction. The look out point 500 metres below the pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayas (provided the weather is clear). Driving through swarms of prayer flags fluttering in the wind you cross the pass and descend into the sub-tropical Punakha Valley. Relax in the evening at Punakha. Overnight at Punakha.
Day 5 Punakha Sightseeing.
Morning, visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, "Palace of Happiness" built in 1637. It is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and Mo Chu. On arrival at Lobesa take a pleasant walk to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the 'Divine Madman' (Lam Drukpa Kuenley).
Later on, if time favours one can also hike towards the famous Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal in Nezergang. On reaching the beautiful lhakhang one can also offer butter lamps and tshogs (a special offering which includes food, snacks and fruits). This is a special way of dedicating oneself to Buddhism and offering prayers for the wellbeing of the people of Bhutan. Overnight at Punakha.Day 6 Punakha to Gangtey (Phobjikha)
Soon after breakfast drive towards Gangtey(Phobjikha) and on reaching Wangdue visit Wangduephodrang Dzong which was built in 1638 situated at the confluence of two rivers Dangchu River on the right hand side and Punatshang Chu on the left hand side. Later continue the drive towards Gangtey Goempa in Phobjikha which is 2 and Half hours drive from Wangduephodrang. Overnight at Gangtey.
Day 7 Sightseeing at Gangtey
In the morning visit Gangtey Goempa, which was built in 12th century and is the only Nyingma monastery in Western Bhutan. At the monastery one might get a chance to see religious rituals performed by the monks of the monastery. Every Bhutanese offer special prayers during these kind of religious ceremonies for the happiness and wellbeing of oneself, family and friends. Later one can also take a short walk towards the Black necked Crane Information centre. Programme as convenient in the evening. Overnight at Gangtey.
Day 8 Gangtey Goenpa to Trongsa/135 km/ 4 and Half hours.
Morning drive to Trongsa. On your way to Trongsa the road reaches over the Black Mountains and further along the forests with blooming rhododendrons and magnolia. You then cross over the Pelela Pass (3,300 m / 10,825 ft), marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high-altitude dwarf bamboos. Pelela Pass is a demarcation of Eastern and Western part of our country. On the eastern side a prominent plateau divided into large fields appears on the right of the road at the head of which is the large village of Rukubji. Along the way, also visit the Chendebji Chorten built in the 18th century. It is built in the Nepalese style, similar to "Swayambunath" in Kathmandu with eyes painted at the four cardinal points. One can see Trongsa Dzong at the end of the valley 20 km before reaching Trongsa. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular. Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 9 Trongsa to Bumthang/68 km/ 2 and Half hours drive approximately.
After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong. The Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes east and west. Further more the Dzong is built in such a way that no matter what direction a traveler came from, he is obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. It is the ancestral home of the Royal family. Both the first and second Kings ruled the country from this ancient seat.
After the visit you continue your drive to Bumthang. At a distance of 29 km from Trongsa, the road reaches the Yutong La Pass (3,400 m / 11,155 ft), and again the landscape ahead looks very different. Ahead the road comes out into a wide-open cultivated valley known as Chumey Valley, the first of Bumthang's four valleys. Overnight at Bumthang.Day 10 Trongsa
Bumthang to Trongsa/ 68 km/ 2 and Half hours drive approximately. After breakfast drive back towards Trongsa from Bumthang. Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 11 Wangdue
Trongsa to Wangduephodrang/135km/5 and Half hours approximately. Drive back to Wangduephodrang. Overnight at Wangdue.
Day 12 Wangduephodrang to Paro
In the morning you will be driven towards Paro. On arrival, visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit Ta Dzong (the watch tower) now housing the National Museum. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during the times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts-costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. After lunch take a trip up to the Chele La pass at 3800m to catch a tremendous view of Mount Jomolhari to the north as well as down to the Haa valley. Overnight at Paro.
Day 13 Paro
The following day can be started with a hike towards the famous Taktshang Monastery. Reaching the monastery involves a 3-hour hike from the road head. From the road head far away and high up on the cliff top, the Taktsang Monastery can be seen. For a moment you may think that you cannot make it to the top but something draws you and you start your climb. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest". This magical monastery clings to vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to a cave on this cliff riding a tigress. The tiger was actually his favorite consort, Yeshey Tsogyel, whom he transformed into a tiger for the purpose of this journey. They meditated in the cave, and when Guru left, he instructed for the monastery to be built. On the way back to the hotel one can't help but wonder as to how man could have ever made this impossible structure. Programme as convenient in the evening. Overnight at Paro.
Day 14 Depart from Paro.
Drive towards Paro International Airport after an early breakfast for your onward destination.