Gomphu Kora Tshechu

Day 1: Arrival (Paro-Thimphu)

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. They will transport you to Thimphu.

After light lunch, you will visit Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang. The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha symbolizing indestructibility was completed in 2012. The view of Thimphu valley from Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.

Then we will visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. From there, we will head towards the majestic Thimphu Dzong. This dzong is one of the most important monuments in the country. It is in this dzong that His Majesty The King works. It also houses the office of other important offices.

Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling

Day 2: Thimphu to Gangtey

Today, we will be leaving Thimphu for Gangtey valley. On the way, we will stop at
Dochula Pass where there are 108 chortens built at the command of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. It was constructed to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the souls lost.

Passing Wangdue (left), one of the major towns and district capital of Western Bhutan. Located south of Punakha, Wangdue is the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate and stone carving.

We will pause to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which is being reconstructed. Built-in 1638, Wangdue Dzong is dramatically perched on the spur of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 3: 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 the end of March. Another significant landmark in Phobjikha is the famous Gangtey Gompa monastery. This is an old monastery that dates back to the 17th century. Today we will do some short hikes around the valley of Phobjikha.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 4: Gangtey to Bumthang

En route to Bumthang is Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty.

Trongsa, literally “New Town” in the Dzongkha language, is where the current monarchs have their origin. Each King in the line of succession has held the post of Trongsa Penlop or Governor before donning the Raven Crown.

Trongsa Dzong – The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th century by Pema Lingpa. The Dzong flourished during the 17th century under Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyal. With its massive structure, and its wall looming high above the winding Mangde Chu Valley, the Dzong commands the east-west road.

Taa Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Taa Dzong has since been turned into a Heritage Museum. A book on this prominent Dzong is written by Christian Schicklgruber entitled The Tower of Trongsa, Religion, and Power in Bhutan.

Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge (or similar)

Day 5: 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 their home has led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley.

In the morning, we will hike to the Tamshing Goemba, built-in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. We will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang (left-bottom), one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by the Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with its body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion.

We will also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 by Tibetan King Sontsen Gampo to pin down a demoness who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Come October, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most colorful festivals in Bhutan.

Jakar Dzong – pitched on a high ground overlooking the town junction, it was built as a monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for the Bumthang district

In the afternoon, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley, crossing a suspension bridge to visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century via an unpaved road.

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. The 768 sq. km of this national park is located within the boundaries of four districts: Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar, and Zhemgang, and it was established in 1998.

You will enjoy the natural beauty of the undisturbed environment and take photographs of some breathtaking scenery like the Namling Bra(cliff) waterfall which falls down the deepest cliff in Eastern Bhutan. The next town is Mongar where we can rest for a while over a warm cup of tea.

Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort

Day 7: Gomkora Tsechu

We will drive towards Gomphu Kora to witness the tshechu. It is an hour’s drive from Trashigang town.
This is a sacred site where, around 850 AD, Guru Rimpoche subdued an evil spirit, he chased all the way from Lhasa Samye, Tibet. The Kora festival at Gomphu Kora was initiated 400 years. The Gomphu Kora Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in eastern Bhutan providing a welcome break for locals to trade, socialize, and celebrate before the start of the farming season.

The festival draws people from remote villages, school children, village youths, businessmen, civil servants, and the Dakpa tribe in Tawang, neighboring Arunachal Pradesh (India) who endure days of travel on foot amid rugged environs with entire families in town. Some say that Drakpas have done this for more than a millennium, beginning shortly after Guru Padmasambhava sanctified the place in the 8th century AD. Traditionally, the festival was an occasion for the people of eastern Bhutan, to choose their spouse and also to rejuvenate the degrading stock. This is still seen even today.

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.
Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. 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.

In the afternoon, we would start our drive to Paro. Before we start we will pay a visit to Chhimi Lhakhang—a 20-minute walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in the 15th century after the ’Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.

Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort

Day 11: Taktsang Hike

Taktsang Monastery – A one-hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.

Kyichu Lhakhang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort

Day 12: Depart Paro

Today we will bid a fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to Singapore. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!

• 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