Chorten kora is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan; built-in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday in honor of his uncle Jungshu Pesan. History has it that it was also built to subdue the demon that lived, where the Chorten stands today. Village legend also has it, that a young girl from Tawang believed to be a “Khando” (Dakini) agreed to be buried alive inside the chorten, for this very reason a ritual called “Dakpa Kora is ordered every year, which is witnessed by 1000 of people from Bhutan and neighboring areas like Arunachal Pradesh in India. Dakpa Kora is held on the 28th of February and Drukpa Kora (circumambulation by the Bhutanese) is held on the 15th of March every year.
Day 1: Arrival (Paro-Thimphu)
Arrive at Bhutan. You will be transported to Thimphu. After lunch, you will visit Buddha Point, the National Memorial Chorten, and Tashichhodzong.
Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling
Day 2: Thimphu to Gangtey
We will be leaving Thimphu for Gangtey valley. En route, visit Druk Wangyel Chorten at Dochula and Wangduephodrang Dzong.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 3: Gangtey
Explore Phobjikha valley
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 4: Gangtey to Bumthang
Travel to Bumthang.
En route to Bumthang are Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty, and the Taa dzong.
Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge (or similar)
Day 5: Bumthang
Explore Bumthang. In the morning, visit places like Tamshing Goemba, Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Lhakhang.
In the afternoon, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley
Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge
Day 6: Bumthang to Trashigang
It is a long journey.
We will be traveling through the biggest national park in Bhutan called the Thrumshingla National Park. If time permits, we will visit the ruined Druk Zhongkhar Dzong at Lingmithang.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 7: Chorten Kora Tsechu
We will drive towards Trashiyangtse to witness the tshechu. It is three hour drive from Trashigang town.
Drive back to your hotel in the evening.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 8: Trashigang to Bumthang
We begin our drive back to Bumthang through the lush environment of the east.
Day 9: Bumthang to Punakha
We will again be traveling for the whole day toward Punakha
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
Day 10: Punakha to Paro
We will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong before leaving for Paro.
En route, we will stop for a while to visit Chhimi Lhakhang— the temple of fertility.
Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort
Day 11: Taktsang Hike
Begin hiking to Taktsang Monastery early in the morning. It usually takes five hours to complete the round trip.
On the way back to your hotel, we will Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Day 12: Departure
Today, your journey ends.