Sight of western Bhutan, Glimpse of Bhutan, Western Bhutan tour, Eastern Bhutan tour,Centran Bhutan tour, meeting with Bhutanse


	Spiritual Quest & Beyond

	Day 1: Arrivel at Paro / Thimphu (59kms) As the plane banks over the mountain slopes, the Paro Valley greet you with luminous paddies rippling in the breeze and tiny houses sprinkled on the bank of the meandering river. The air is crystal clear, light translucent and on horizon, snowcapped mountains frame the idyllic like painting. It does not matter how many time you land in Paro, the bucolic valley unfolds like a dream. If you are lucky, you will have a glorious view of the Snowcapped Himalayas. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will meet our representative from Journey to Discover Bhutan, who will drive through Paro town for lunch at one of the local restaurant. Afternoon we will drive to visit the Paro National Museum, which will shed further light to some of things that you will be seeing on your trip and visit Paro Dzong built in 1646, which houses the administrative center of the Paro district and religious institute for monks. You will walk down to the coach crossing over the traditional wooden covered bridge called “Nymezampa” which spans over the Paro River. Thereafter, we will take a 2-hour leisurely drive towards the Capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute you will view Tachogang monastery, “the temple of excellent horse” built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron chain builder in Bhutan) before reaching to Chunzom (confluence). At the confluence of Paro – Thimphu River, stop for vehicle registration, you will see three forms of Chortens in different styles i.e. Nepalese, Tibetan and Bhutanese. We drive following the Thimphu River upwards passing through several villages. Upon reaching Thimphu, you will be taken to the best hotel available in the country. Evening you will have free time to explore Thimphu Main Street. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing Today you will visit the following places of cultural interest. The Folk and Heritage Museum: lets you experience the Bhutanese way of living. Arts and Craft Institute: This is a vocational training institute where the art of painting, woodcraft and sculpturing are taught to students with the objective of preserving the rich and pristine heritage. The National Library: This repository houses ancient religious and historical texts. Thereafter we drive to Sangjay Gang to have a “Birds Eye View” of Thimphu valley and en-route visit the zoo to see the National Animal “Takin”, and then we will visit the Drubthob Gompa Nunnery, who play a vital role in the religious affairs of the local community. Lunch will be served at one of the local restaurant in town. Afternoon we drive to north of Thimphu valley to Dodina to see the country and hike to about hour to visit the Tango monastery, Buddhist college for monks. Walk back to the base and drive to your hotel. Evening you will have audience with the monk and lecture of mediation and implication of Buddhism on Bhutanese societies. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 3: Thimphu / Wangdue (72 kms) In the morning visit the National Memorial Chorten with its golden spines shining in the sun, its tinkling bells built in honour of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insights into Buddhist Philosophy. This Chorten is centrally located and you will see many elder people circling around it. We then depart for Punakha, over a Dochu-la Pass( 10,000 ft) the pass is dotted by many colourful flag and 108 Stupas and it is one of the most beautifil pass in the country. On a clear day you will be able to see a spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas from this pass. Lunch will be served at the Dochula cafeteria. Thereafter we descend through the forest of rhododendrons and magnolia. After several stops on the way, you pass the village of Lumitsawa; Thinleygang and reach the fertile valley of Lobesa. Drive to valley of Wangduephodrang where we will visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 and its enterprising commercial establishments. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Dang Chu rivers. Drive further for another 30 minutes to your hotel by the river side. Upon reaching at the hotel, you will check in at the hotel and evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 4: Wangdue – Trongsa Today early morning we depart for central Bhutan through the tropical vegetation to Nobding. Throughout your trip you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road. We drive about an hour towards Phelela pass Pele la pass (11,000ft) and retrace our steps and take a road that heads to Gangtey Gompa over Tashi La pass. Descend about an hour to Phobjikha Valley. It is a wide open valley, where Gangtey Gompa is ideally located on a hill over looking the valley. It is the winter habitat for the Black necked cranes migrating from Tibet early November till mid March. Gangtey Gompa is institute for monks following the Nyingmapa sect in the country. After visiting the monastery we drive back over the Phela pass. Descend through the open meadows and valley of yak herders and several villages via Chendeji Chorten built in a form of Nepalese style in 15th century. Picnic lunch will be served enroute or at the restaurant at Chendebji. We drive for another 2 hours passing through several villages like Tsangkha, Tashicholing. Enroute stop at the viewpoint of Ttrongsa Dzong. Drive for another ½ an hour to your hotel. Dinner & overnight: Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 5: Trongsa – Bumthang (69 Kms) After your breakfast, we will visit the monumental architecture, “The Trongsa Dzong”. The Dzong has played a vital role in shaping the political history of Bhutan and it has several monasteries. After the Dzong, we stop at Trongsa town and stroll for sometimes. We shall drive towards Bumthang valley over the Yotung la pass (11,800ft). Your lunch will be served at Chumey. Afternoon you will visit the Yathra weaving center at Zugney. Drive for another hour 45 minutes to Jakar and upon reaching you will check in at your hotel in Bumthang. Late afternoon you will have will have fee time to relax at the hotel or walk in Jakar town. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 6: Bumthang (Jakar) Sightseeing In Bumthang Valley, we shall visit the following places of interests: Jambay Lhakhang: built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th Century, which denotes the spread and emergence of Buddhism in the country. Kurjey Lhakhang: legend has it that the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche was left behind while meditating in a cave in this temple and new Zangdopelri monastery built by Queen mother.Thereafter we take a gradual hike to Tamshing monastery built by Terton Pema Lingpa (revealer of hidden treasures). You will drive back for lunch at the hotel. Afternoon visit the Jakar Dzong, the castle of white bird, which houses the administrative center and institute for monks. In the evening attend the prayer ceremony at Karchu Dratsang (monastery of His Holiness Namkhai Ningpo. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 7: Bumthang (Jakar) – Tang Ugyenchoilng This morning we depart to Tang valley, it is 24kms following the dirt road which gives access to this valley. Enroute visit the Mebartsho (flaming Lake), where the Terton Pema ling has discovered the religious treasure from this lake and view the Kunzangdra monastery, built by Teteron Pemalingpa and continue your journey passing through several villages and Tang Primary school and Rimochen monastery. Enroute you will have your picnic lunch at a convenient spot. After 2o minutes drive, you will reach to Kizom where you will hike about an hour to Ugyencholing. On arrival you will settle down at the Guesthouse. Ugyen Choling monastery is located on the hill over looking valley. Brief historical account of Ugyen Choling begins with a visit of the great Tibetan master of Buddhism, Longchen Rabjam (1308 -63). He is the most celebrated writer and philosopher of Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as the synthesizer of the doctrine and methods of Dzongchen “school of great perfection". Ugyen Chloing was never so much a seat of political power but played a vital role as a religious center. It is the only structure of its size and history that still exist and used by a family with direct historical links to it. With its size and magnitude of the complex has initiated to house as a historical museum to ensure its continuity with the following commitments: Preserving and maintaining Ugyen Choling as a religious and cultural legacy.- Continuing the traditional religious observance and rituals Providing a place for religious studies, research and solitude - Reviving and enhancing traditional skills and providing an outlet for local handicrafts. After noon visit the Museum and evening walk in the village. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 8: Tang Ugyenchoilng Palace – Halt In the morning, it will be the opportunity for the group to conduct the house of prayer ceremony at one of the prayer hall at Ugyen Choling monastery. Afternoon you will explore the Ugyencholing village and interact with local people. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 9. Tang Ugyencholing – Jakar (Bumthang) After breakfast we will take a gradual walk down to our road head and you will meet your transportation. We will drive and enroute visit Rimochen monastery and Nunnery Institute in Tang valley. Lunch will be served at the hotel. Afternoon you will have free to walk or explore by your own. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel Day 10: Jakar – Punakha We will take 7-8 hours long drive to Wangdue. Lunch will be served at Chendebji Chorten. Continue your journey to Punakha for over night halt at hotel. Day 11: Punakha Halt This morning after breakfast we will drive to visit the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the most architecturally impressive Dzong in the country. It is ideally located between two rivers Pho Chu “Male River” and Mo Chu “Female River”. It was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and it has served as the seats of the Government till 1953. The construction of the the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoch, who predicted “a person named Namgyel will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. At the time there was a smaller Dzong “smaller Dzong” that house a statute of Duddha. It has said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in from of the statue. While Palep was sleeping in front the statue; the Shadrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From this vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, “Palace of Great Happiness.” Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot” and central monk body. Thereafter you will drive back to stroll in Punakha town and drive to your hotel for lunch. Afternoon you will drive towards the north of Punakha valley to see the country side nature and hike about an hour to visit Yamsum Yuley Namgyel Chorten ( Stupa) through the rice fields. This chorten is built by Crown Prince Jigme Geyser Namgyel Wangchuck on a hill over looking the valley to bring peace and harmony in the country. After visiting the Chorten, walk back to the base and drive back to your hotel. Late evening there will be demonstration of wearing Bhutanese National dress “Gho” for men and “Kira” for women by your Bhutanese escort. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 12: Punakha – Paro In morning we drive to Lobesa and take a short walk the Chimme Lhakhang through the farm houses and rice fields. This monastery is built in 15th Century and dedicated the famous saint Drukpa Kuenley or divine mad monk. Lunch will be at Dochula Cafeteria or in Thimphu depending on time schedule. Afternoon explore the remaining highlights in Thimphu and late afternoon drive to Paro. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 13: Paro Taktsang Excursion A very special day begain with an excursion to visit the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger Nest). Monastery. After breakfast we take a short drive to the north of Paro Valley to Ramthankha, from where we start our hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of tress festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Visitors are permitted to hike up to the viewpoint from where you can see the monastery hanging on a cliff. We will obtain a special permit to allow you to visit the monastery and offer our prayers at monastery by organizing a special ceremony for the group. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche, founder of Buddhism flew from Eastern Bhutan on a tigress, bringing Buddhist teachings and meditated here in this cliff. This is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world. We can arrange a horse ridding till the cafeteria, if you feel that you would prefer to have take are horse ride. After visiting the monastery, we will walk down to Taktsang cafeteria for lunch. Walk downhill to the road and drive on to visit the Drugyel Dzong (now in ruins), which reveals the ancient architecture. Finally on time availability, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel. Day 14: Departure Drive to Paro Airport for your onward flight to Bangkok Tashi Delek!