Bumthang Prakhar Tshechu

DAY 1 :ARRIVAL IN PARO, BHUTAN

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
As soon as you land at Paro International Airport, our guide and drive will be there to greet you. The will then transport you to Thimphu.
After quick meals, you will be visiting Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang.The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma , Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility was constructed in 2012. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.
After that, we will visit the National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and Tashichodzong – The largest Dzong, which is the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.

Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling

DAY 2 : THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA

Today,  we will leave Thimphu for Punakkha.
We will stop at Dochula Pass. It is here that 108 chortens were built by the Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate of the souls lost.
After lunch in your hotel in Punakha, we will visit the Punakha dzong.
Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the JeKhenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort

DAY 3 : PUNAKHA TO BUMTHANG

we will begin our journey early in the morning because we have a long journey ahead.

DAY 4 : BUMTHANG

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is an area with a wide variety of fauna and flora. The Guru Rinpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) making Bumthang his home have led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley. Witness the tsechu today, a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas.

Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge

DAY 5 : BUMTHANG TO TRONGSA

Before beginning our journey towards Trongsa, we will head towards Prakhar Lhakhang to witness the Prakhar Tshechu. Like any other annually festival, it is also held for three days. You will be seeing different kinds of mask dances performed by monks and locals. On the third day, there will be a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkha (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambava or some other important Buddhist deities. People will get to receive the blessings from Thukte Dawa.

Then, you will travel to Trongsa. Trongsa, literally means a New Town in the Dzongkha language. It is here that monarchy system has its origin in Bhutan. Each King in the line of succession has held the post of Trongsa Penlop or Governor before donning the Raven Crown. The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th century by. Its foundation was laid by Pema Lingpa and flourished during the 17th century under ShabdrungNgwang Namgyal. The impressive fortress is a massive structure, its wall looming high above the winding Mangde Chu Valley,commanding the east-west road.

The Trongsa Museum (Ta Dzong), sits high above the valley at a strategic vantage point over Trongsa Dzong. The “Tower of Trongsa” tells the stories of the dzong and the valley that it has watched over for centuries. His Majesty the King inaugurates the Ta Dzong as a museum dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty, land marking yet another significant event as the nation celebrates 100 years of the monarchy. It has been restored into a classy museum that represents a tasteful blend of tradition and modernity. There are 224 items on display, include a sacred image of Sung Joenma Dorji Chang (self spokenVajradharna), a bronze statue of Pema Lingpa, made by himself and a number of centuries old treasures like dance and ritual costumes and objects, ancient prayer books, paintings and scrolls and textiles.

Hotels:

DAY 6 :TRONGSA TO GANGTEY

The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century.

DAY 7 : GANGTEY

Nature Hike along the valley of Phobjikha – A short trek of about 90 minutes known as the ‘Gangte Nature Trail’ starts from the Mani stone wall to the north of the GangtengGonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang.

Hotel: Village Homesaty 

DAY 8 : GANGTEY TO THIMPHU

today, we will be traveliing to Thimphu

accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling

DAY 9 :TOUR OF THIMPHU

We will begin exploring Thimphu today.
Heritage Museum – Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.
Textile Museum – Witnesses the art of traditional weaving.
Paper making Factory – Witnesses the art of papermaking

Takin enclosure – On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin; a strange looking beast some say looks like a bee stung moose.

Centenary Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.

Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling

DAY 10 :THIMPHU TO PARO

Depart for Paro Valley.
Paro, the beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.

Paro Dzong – also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative centre of the dzonkhag.

Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts.

Hotel: Bhutan Mandala Resort

DAY 11 :PARO

hike to taktsang (PARO)

Today, we will to Tiger’s Nest
We will take a two-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery, arguably one of the most photographed monasteries in Bhutan. Accessible only on foot, this sacred site was built precariously on the cliff’s edge, more than 10,000 feet above sea level. This is where Guru (Rinpoche) Padmasambhava, the father of Tantric Buddhism, is said to have flown on the back of a tiger to meditate in a cave for three years. An exhilarating climb to the cafeteria is decorated with colorful prayer flags and provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas. After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

DAY 12 :DEPART PARO

Today, despite our will, we will have to bid farewell. We hope that you had a memorial stay in this to this beautiful country. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan!
We look forward to seeing you again!

• Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.
• Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
• All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the trip.
• All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees.
• Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp serivce.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights in and out of Bhutan.
• Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry