Phuntsholing Paro Wangdi Bumthang Thimphu Jeep Safari

07/04/2013 14:44

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights

Places covered: Phuntsholing - Paro - Wangdi - Bumthang - Thimphu

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1	ARRIVAL AT PHUNTSHOLING (298Mts / 977Fts) Meet & Greet upon arrival at Phuntsholing (298Mts / 977Fts), a small town at the Indo-Bhutan border. Overnight at Hotel
Day 2	PHUNTSHOLING – PARO (176KMS / 06 HRS, 2134Mts /7000Fts) After breakfast do the immigration formalities and then drive to Paro (176KMS / 06 HRS, 2134Mts /7000Fts) .Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3	PARO – WANGDI     (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 1350Mts /4430Fts)  After breakfast go for 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. Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) Opening Hours – whole week - 0900HRS TO 1600HRS & Closed On National Holidays , which was built in 1651 as a watchtower. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thankha paintings. NOTE: Kindly note that due to recent earthquake (18th September 2011) earth quake, Ta Dzong (Paro Museum) had been closed and shifted to exhibition hall just above the museum. Now the exhibition hall will be open throughout the week except for government holidays)   Afternoon drive to Wangdi (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 1350Mts /4430Fts) crossing the Dochu la 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. Overnight at Hotel
Day 4	WANGDI – BUMTHANG (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2600Mts /8125Fts) After breakfast drive to Bumthang (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2600Mts /8125Fts) 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. After one and half hour from Chendebji Chorten 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 HRS to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5	BUMTHANG After breakfast go for Bumthang sightseeing which lies at the altitude of 2600m, has an individuality that charm 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 at Hotel.
Day 6	BUMTHANG – WANGDI (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 1350Mts /4430Fts) After breakfast drive back from Bumthang to Wangdi (197 KMS / 08 HRS / 1350Mts /4430Fts). Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7	WANGDI – THIMPHU (70 KMS / 03 HRS, 2134Mts /7000Fts) After breakfast drive for 20 minutes to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 HRS to Thimphu and overnight at Hotel.
Day 8	THIMPHU After breakfast go for full day Thimphu sightseeing: Memorial Chorten, Tashicho Dzong, Mothinthang zoo, Viewpoint, & National Library, Art and Craft School. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9	THIMPHU – PHUNTSHOLING (178 KMS / 06 HRS, 298Mts / 977Fts) Breakfast & drive back to Phuntsholing (178 KMS / 06 HRS/ 298Mts / 977Fts). Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10	PHUNTSHOLING – ONWARD CONNECTION After breakfast the services end. One can take their onward connection.