DEEP INSIDE INTO THE LAND OF THUNDER DRAGON” – 12 NIGHTS & 13 DAYS (CULTURAL TOUR)
Traffic Police, Thimphu
Day 01: Paro–Thimphu
Flight: Druk Air
Departure: (Bkk Time), Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok
Landing time: (Bht Time), Paro International Airport, Bhutan
Your experience of this enchanting kingdom begins with a flight over the Himalaya into the Paro valley – truly one of life’s most spectacular sights. One can see Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomalhari, Mt. Jichu Drake and Mt. Tsrim Ghang and enjoy the view of the approaching Paro valley with its primeval alpine forests, monasteries, temples and farmhouses nestled in splendid mountain isolation. The first gift from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the aircraft.
On arrival please proceed to the immigration counter and present your completed visa application form along with 3 passport size photographs. Your Bhutan Visa will be then stamped in your passport. After clearing custom & immigration I and your Guide will be waiting for you outside the airport with a card bearing your name and My Bhutan Travels. We will greet you and then drive you through the lush green valley of Paro town. Depart for Thimphu, a short two hours drive from one main valley to the next, through paddy fields, apple orchards, farmhouses and paddy stacks, experiencing the village view and passing through the “Chuzom” (Confluence). Thimphu is the capital city of the kingdom of Bhutan. It, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is a bustling town which is home to the revered Bhutanese royal family, the Royal Government and Judiciary and to several foreign missions and development projects. One of the charms of this unique capital is Bhutan’s own version of the colonial traffic policemen, who will fascinate you with their elaborate hand gestures.
The entrance to Thimphu is across a bridge called Luntenzampa, which means “The Bridge of Prophecy”. It is believed that, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo (the founder of Drukpa Kagyud Sect in Bhutan) had a vision that he would find his consort in this valley. When he arrived in search if her, he found her on the opposite side of the river. They both walked along the banks until they met at the only bridge across the river. Since that time the bridge came to be known as Luntenzampa. Check in at Hotel.
Lunch at Thimphu. Evening visit i) The Tashichho Dzong/Fort: The “fortress of the glorious religion”, was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. It is the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the king of Bhutan. Also, it is the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the chief Abbot/Head of the monastic body or religious head of Bhutan. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu/Festival (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters in Punakha Dzong. Followed by visit to ii) The National Memorial Chorten/Stupa, a pious landmark for Thimphu’s residents, build in 1974 in honor of our late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck by his mother. The painting and images inside the monument provide a rare insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Evening at leisure. Walk around the Thimphu town. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Distance: 65kms. Time: 2 hrs. Altitude of Thimphu: 2250m Area: 1935 km 2
Day 02: Thimphu
After breakfast, the day begins with the visit to i) The Art & Craft School which is also the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting “Thankas” (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). We then, visit ii) The Folk Heritage Museum which opened in 2001, is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households. Followed by the visit to iii) Also, visit iii) The National Library, stocked with Ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
Afternoon visit (after the lunch), to iv) The National Institute of Traditional Medicine (also known as Indigenous Hospital). In Bhutan, equal emphasis is given to both allopathic and traditional medicines. The rich herbal medicines are prepared here from herbs that grow in abundance in Bhutan. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners. It was established in 1988 and visitors are most welcome to get a check up by any one of the Bhutanese Dungtshos. Also, visit v) The National Textile Museum which also opened in 2001 provides fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life. Last visit of the day to vi) The Handmade Paper Factory, where papers are made from the fiber Daphne and edgeworthia.
Evening at leisure. There are various private owned Handicrafts Emporium, displaying wide assortment of beautifully hand-oven and crafted products. You can either visit those emporiums or simply walk around Thimphu town. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha, a valley where the road climbs through the forest of pine, cedar and rhododendron, festooned with hanging lichen high up near i) The Do Chula-La pass (3050 m) with amazing Himalayan mountain ranges, including Gangkhar Phuensum, the highest unclimbed peak (over 24,000ft) in the world. You will see 108 Chortens in Dochula. Descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile Punakha valley through temperate forest of Rhododendrons and Magnolias, to the semi-tropical zone rife with oranges, bananas and cactus.
After lunch, a short hike through the paddy fields and village to ii) The Chime Lhakhang/ Temple built by the “Divine Mad Man” Drukpa Kuenley is dedicated to fertility. He inherited the Divine madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it is not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. This lhakhang is an important pilgrimage site for infertile women who wish to have children. Followed by a visit to i) The Punakha Dzong built in 1636, served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. The first king, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907.
The town of Punakha, while dominated by its Dzong, developed in 1990s through several Government-sponsored development programs. It is also a winter seat of Je Khenpo, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (female) chu/river and Pho (male) chu/river. In spite of four catastrophic fires and an earthquake that destroyed many historic documents. Punakha Dzong houses sacred artifacts and the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (The spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan prior to the present dynasty). Shabdrung died in this Dzong and his death was kept a secret for the next 50 years to help Buddhism flourish in Bhutan. The remains of Shabdrung are entombed here in the chapel of Machin Lhakhang meaning “Sacred Embalmed Body”.
Evening at leisure. Walk around Punakha town. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Distance: 77kms. Time: 3 hrs 30 mins. Altitude of Punakha: 1350m. Area: 974 km2 
Wangdiphodrang Dzong
Day 04: Punakha – Wangduephodrang - Trongsa
After breakfast the day begins with 45 mins drive to i) The Wangduephodrang Dzong, located south of Punakha and the last town on the highway entering Central Bhutan. Sitting on top of the hill looking out over the junction of two rivers Punakha Chu and Tang Chu, Wangduephodrang’s formidable Dzong is the town’s most visible feature. This valley is also called Windy Phodrang because of the extreme gusts of wind that is a characteristic of this region. It is one of the most prominent valleys in Bhutan as it was one time the second capital of Bhutan. In the 17th century the Wangduephodrang Dzong played a critical role in unifying western, central and southern Bhutanese districts. Wangdue It is said that Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal came across a small boy called Wangdue who was playing near the riverbank. He was so touched by the boy’s innocence that he named the Dzong in the valley Wangdue Phodrang meaning Wangdue’s Palace. The Dzong was built by Shabdrung in 1638 and completed by Tenzin Rabgye in 1683.The location of the Dzong was determined by the sight of four ravens that were flying over the site in four directions as it was considered an auspicious omen indicating the spread of Buddhism in four directions.
Wangduephodrang is like an extended village with a few well-provisioned shops. The higher reaches of the Wangduephodrang valley provides rich pastureland for cattle. This district is famous for its bamboo work, stone carvings and slate which is mined up a valley a few kms from the town. Also, visit the local market. Then drive to Trongsa. Cross over Pelela pass (3300 m), the traditional boundary between east and west. After a short break in ii) Chendebji Chhorten (Nepalese style Buddhist stupa), built in 18th century. Proceed to Trongsa, historically the seat of eastern power. Lam Ngagi Wangchuk, son of Ngawang Chhojey came to Bhutan in 1541. He resided in a village called Yueli. One night while he was in deep meditation, he saw a light flickering on the ridge below his cave. Out of curiosity, he ran to check it out and observed the footprints of the horse of Palden Lhamo, Bhutan’s local deity on the very site where he had earlier seen the light. He meditated there and built many temples nearby. The people of Yueli started to call the place Trongsa meaning new village because of its different appearance.
Lunch at Trongsa. Trongsa is the home to the striking Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral abode of Bhutan’s Royal family. The third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was born in Trongsa in Thruepang Palace in 1928. The Crown Prince is still awarded the post of Trongsa Penlop before ascending the throne. After lunch, walk by iii) The Trongsa Dzong (first built in 1674). Both the first and second King ruled the country from the ancient seat. All five Kings held the post of Trongsa Penlop (Honorary Governor) prior to being crowned as the King. The Dzong is massive structure with many levels, which slope down the contours of a hill on which it perches. Because of its highly strategic position as the only connecting route between east and west, the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole eastern region effectively. Following visit to iv) The Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to the Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. This watchtower, which once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands impressively and provides visitors an insight into historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history.
Evening at leisure. Walk around the Trongsa town. Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa.
Distance: Punakha – Wangduephodrang: 13 kms. Time: 45 mins. Altitude of Wangduephodrang: 1350 m Area: 4038km2
Wangduephodrang – Trongsa: 129 Kms. Time: 5 hrs. Altitude of Trongsa: 2200 m. Area: 1807km2
Day 05: Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast, proceed to Bumthang (often compared to Switzerland) across i) Yotong La pass (3,400 m). The Bumthang region is composed of four smaller valleys of great significance, Tang, Ura, Choskhor and Chhume. The name Bumthang can be interpreted in many ways. The valley is shaped like a ”bumpa”, which is a vessel that contains holy water and is placed in front of the altar of a Lhakhang (House of God). ‘Thang’ means a field or flat piece of land. It can also refer to the beautiful women that are supposedly found there as “bum” means girl.
Followed by visit to ii) The Kurje Lhakhang (where the Indian saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). Kurje Lhakhang is one of the most sacred lhakhangs in Bhutan. It is named after the body of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved inside a cave in the Lhakhang. The Lhakhang stands at a height of 2640m. The story of Kurje Lhakhang goes as follows: In 746, Sindhu raja was the ruling king of Bumthang. His main rival was Naochhe (Big Nose) and his rival managed to kill Sindhu Raja’s son. Out of anger Sindhu Raja desecrated the abode of the Guardian deity of Bumthang known as Shelging Karpo. Shelging Karpo punished the king by stealing his life force and gradually bringing him closer to death. The king turned to Padsambhava (Guru Rinpoche) for help. The Guru came to Bumthang and meditated in a cave where he left his body imprint. This is where the monastery now stands.
The story goes on to say that the Guru transformed himself into his own eight manifestation and they started to dance in the field. All the local deities appeared to watch the performance except for Shelging Karpo. The Guru then transformed Sindhu Raja’s daughter into five princesses, each holding a gold ewer. The sunlight was caught by these ewers and was reflected into Shelging Karpo’s hiding place. Overcome by curiosity Shelging Karpo transformed himself into a white Lion and went to see the spectacle. On seeing the lion, Guru changed himself into a garuda (half man and half bird) and captured Shelging Karpo. The Guru managed to retrieve Sindhu Raja’s life force and to convert the rival kings into devout Buddhist. Shelging Karpo became the guardian deity of Buddhism. The Guru is also said to have planted his staff in the ground, which is where a Hugh cypress tree stands in the ground of Kurje Lhakhang today. Also visit, iii) The Jambay Lhakhang which was built in 659, by Songsten Gampo on the same day as the Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was restored by, Sindhu Raja, after Guru Rinpoche restored his life force. When Ugyen Wangchuck became the Trongsa Penlop, he built the “Dus-Kyi-Khorlo” within the compound of the Lhakhang. Later on, Chhimi Dorji added the Guru Lhakhang to the collection. The lhakhang is built over a lake in which Guru Rinpoche is said to have hidden many sacred and religious treasures. Guru Rinpoche sat and meditated on the alcove, leaving behind his footprints. Following visit to iv) The Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools), was established by Pema Lingpa in 1501. It is the most important Nyingma Goemba in the country. Pema Lingpa built this Goemba himself with some assistance from the ‘Khandroma’ (female celestial deity). The inner walls contain images painted by Pema Lingpa, but recent research has discovered even older paintings below the terton’s work. And visit v) The Jakar Dzong which lies in the Jakar valley and was built in 1667. Jakar literally means “Castle of the White Bird”. Legend has it, that when the lamas were searching for a perfect location for the Dzong, a single white bird flew by and descended on the top a hill. This was considered a good omen and hence led to the allocation of the Dzong to its site. The Jakar Dzong is the largest Dzong in Bhutan. It was damaged by an earth quake in 1897 but has since been successfully restored to its original form. Also, visit vi) The Swiss farm where you can buy cheese, and local fruit products. Lunch at Bumthang.
Evening at leisure. Walk around the Bumthang town. Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.
Distance: Trongsa – Bumthang: 68 Kms. Time: 3 hrs. Altitude of Bumthang: 2700 m. Area: 2714 km2
Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
Day 06: Bumthang – Tang Valley – Bumthang
After breakfast, drive to Tang Valley and walk up to i) The Ugyenchholing Palace, a beautiful private mansion which also houses a small eco-museum. Lunch will be served in a guest house. After Lunch, ii) Walk in the Tang Valley. Then drive back to Bumthang following the Tang Chu until arriving at the main road. On the way visit iii) The Mebar Tso Lake/Flaming Lake. It is one of the great pilgrimage sites of Bhutan where Pema Lingpa, a blacksmith discovered the religious treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 15th century and thus became a terton, a 'discoverer of religious treasures'. Not knowing how to impart the knowledge contained in the treasures he hid until one day the Dakinis, or female heavenly spirits, showed him the power of preaching. Legend explains that as he spoke, flowers dropped from the sky and vanished into rays of light. The importance of site is indicated by extensive array of prayer flags and the small clay offerings. This lake is very sacred, and on auspicious days many Bhutanese people go there to offer butter lamps.
Evening at leisure. You can simply walk around the Bumthang town. Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.
Altitude of Tang Valley: 2800 m. Time: 1 hr and 30 mins.
Day 07: Bumthang – Gangtey Goempa and Phobjika Valley
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey Goempa and Phobjika Valley. Lunch at Gangtey. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. After lunch, visit i) The Gangtey Goempa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the Kingdom. This monastery dates back to the 17th century. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. Gangtey Goempa overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha valley, a glacial valley on the western slopes of the black mountain range and a winter residence for Black Necked Cranes. Also, explore ii) The Phobjikha valley, which is an important wildlife centre in Bhutan and is the roosting ground of the one of the most rare and endangered birds in the world, blacked necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau during the winter grounds to escape its harsh winters.
Evening at leisure Take a walk around Gangtey village. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.
Distance: Bumthang – Gangtey: 174 Kms. Altitude: 2900m. Time: 9 hrs
Day 08: Gangtey – Thimphu
After breakfast, drive back towards Thimphu. Luunch at Lobeysa.
Evening at leisure. There are various private owned Handicrafts Emporium, displaying wide assortment of beautifully hand-oven and crafted products. You can either visit those emporiums or simply walk around Thimphu town. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Distance: Gangtey – Thimphu: 90 Kms. Time: 4 hrs and 30 mins
Day 09: Thimphu
After break fast, visit i) The Changangkha Lhakhang, which lies on the top of the knoll that stands out above Thimphu and from where the view of the valley is superb. Changangkha lhakang is one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu valley, having been built in the 15th century by a descendant of Phajo Drugom Shigpo, the founder of the Drukpa School in Bhutan. The main statue here is an image of Avalokiteshvara. One of the most remarkable paintings on the wall opposite the entrance is of Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje (1161 – 1211), the founder of the Drukpa school in Tibet. Followed by a visit to ii) The Takin Preserve Centre (National Animal of Bhutan, head of goat and body of cow) and then to iii) Sangay Gang, populary known as BBS Tower (Thimphu city view point). Also, visit iv) The Zulikha Nunnery (the only nunnery in Thimphu)
After lunch, drive to Dechencholing, the motor road ascends the valley for about 2 kms and comes to a dead end at the foot of a mountain. Visit till the base only, v) The Cheri Monastery was built on this mountain in 1619. The covered bridge leading to the monastery is new, built in traditional style with cantilevers and shingles. Visit till the base only, vi) The Tango Monastery is also close by, on the right, at the same level as Cheri but out of sight of the road. Tango dates from the 13th century but it was rebuilt in its present form in 1688. A path that starts on Cheri Mountain leads across gorges and mountain passes to the northern region of Lingshi.
Evening at leisure. There are various private owned Handicrafts Emporium, displaying wide assortment of beautifully hand-oven and crafted products. You can either visit those emporiums or simply walk around Thimphu town. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
* Visit Weekend Market (Open only during Friday, Saturday & Sunday), it is an open vegetable market where the farmers from the nearby regions gather to sell their products.
Day 10: Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro. On the way visit i) The Semtokha Dzong from outside, which was built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is the oldest dzong in Bhutan. Today it houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. Presently, it is closed for renovation. Drive to the valley of Paro which contains a wealth of attractions. After lunch, visit ii) The Kyichu lhakhang one of the 108 temples built in 7th century by first Tibetan King, Songten Gambo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Then visit iii) The Drugyel Dzong which was built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in the war of 1644. The Dzong today stands in ruins, after being gutted by a fire in 1950s. Behind the Drugyel Dzong if the weather is clear you can see the looming majestic snow covered peak of Mount Chomolhari (7314 mts) “Mountain Goddess” the highest mountain in Bhutan.
Evening at leisure. Back at the hotel if you prefer you can take a hot-stone-bath (stones are heated over a fire. Red hot stones are immersed in a large wooden trough filled with water where a person can remain immersed. The bath is believed to cure many ailments) and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese meal. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Altitude of Paro: 2200 m. Area: 1285 km2
Taksang (Tiger's Nest), Paro
Day 11: Paro
After breakfast visit i) The Castle Shaped Ta Dzong or National Museum (closed on Monday). Once a watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. This Ta Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The Museum boast antique thankas, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts and rated as one of the best natural history museums in Asia. Below the museum is the Rimpong Dzong.
After lunch visit ii) The Rimpong Dzong: The “fortress of the heap of jewels”, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township. It is a centre of civil and religious authority in the valley. A short distance before the base of Rimpong Dzong is one of the innumerable archery ground. Archery is a national sport of Bhutan. We may catch a match in action. Once reaching the base and crossing a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge, a short climb up takes to the Rimpong Dzong. Also, visit iii) A Village to witness a typical Bhutanese life, the smell of cowdung, the sights of cows and pigs are the part of a village life.
Rest of the evening at leisure. You can go shopping or simply walk around the Paro town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Day 12: Paro
After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a hike to i) The Taktsang Monastery, it’s a good half day hike. Taktsang monastery is built on a sheer rock cliff of almost 200mts drop. Its one of the most spectacular monasteries in the kingdom. The climb up to the view point will take around 3 hours and enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a Tiger in the 8th century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. Lunch at the cafeteria near the monastery.
Back at hotel if you prefer you can take a hot-stone-bath (stones are heated over a fire. Red hot stones are immersed in a large wooden trough filled with water where a person can remain immersed. The bath is believed to cure many ailments) and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese meal. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 13: Fly out
Flight: Druk Air flight
Departure: (Bht Time), Paro International Airport, Bhutan
Landing time: (Bkk Time), Suvarnabhumi Interntional Airport, Bangkok
After early breakfast drive to the Paro Airport catch Druk Air flight. Your guide and I will assist you with the airport formalities and bid you farewell.
Remarks: i) The Medium of Language Used by the Guide is English.
ii) This is a standard travel Itinerary. The final itinerary will be re-organized only after
the confirmation of the travel dates.