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Day 01: Arrive Paro.
The flight into Bhutan takes you over
the great Himalayas, offering you the most
scintillating scenery of the world’s highest
glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you
will see the silvery Pa-chu (Paro river)
meandering down the valley, the Paro dzong
(fortress) and the Ta dzong (watch tower).
SDTT tour escort will receive you at the
airport and drive you over to Thimphu, 2
hours. Overnight Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing.
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, was
established in the 1960s and is today still
a small bustling town. You will notice the
unique touch of traditional architecture in
the buildings around. The town has just
three lines of shops and is probably the
only capital in the world without traffic
lights. In the morning visit the National
Library, School of arts, Indigenous
Hospital, Zilukha nunnery, the viewpoint and
Changangkha Lhakhang (temple built in 15
century). After lunch visit the Memorial
Chorten, handmade paper factory, gold &
silver smiths and the dzong after 5 pm
(applicable only in winters). After this you
can go around the town shopping and mixing
with the people. Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu to Trongsa.
After early breakfast, drive to Dochula
pass (3050 m) for tea stop. If weather
permits you can see a range of high peaks
towards the northeast. Drive onwards to
Wangdue Phodrang town for lunch. Then cross
over Pelela pass (3300 mtrs), the
traditional boundary between east and west.
After a short break in Chendebji Chorten,
built in 18th century. Proceed to Trongsa,
historically the seat of eastern power.
Overnight at Trongsa lodge or similar.
Day 04: Trongsa to Bumthang.
After breakfast walk by Trongsa dzong (first
built in 1647) and visit the Ta dzong (watch
tower), dedicated to the Buddhist epic hero,
King Gesar of Ling. Drive to Bumthang
distance 68 km, 2 hours. After lunch visit
Kurje temple (where the Indian saint
Padmasambava subdued a local demon and left
his body imprint on a rock), the Jambay
Lhakhang (7th century), Tamshing monastery
(one of the oldest monastic schools), the
Jakar dzong. Also visit the Swiss farm where
you can buy cheese, and local fruit
products. Overnight at Bumthang lodge or
similar.
Day 05: Bumthang.
Early morning have breakfast and you can
proceed to view the Jambay Lhakhang Drup
festival at Jambay Lhakhang the full day.
Day 06: Bumthang to Punakha.
After breakfast drive back towards
Punakha (1350 mtrs.) for about 7/8 hrs.
Overnight at Punakha.
Day 07: Punakha to Paro.
Start early; visit Punakha dzong, a
massive structure built on the confluence of
two rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung, the
spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan prior
to the present dynasty. It was the old
capital and still serves as the winter
residence of the monk body. The first king,
Ugyen Wangchuk, was crowned here in 1907. It
has withstood several damages from fire,
earthquake and flood. The latest flood of
Oct’ 94 caused great damage to the fortress
but miraculously spared the statue of the
Buddha Jojampa. (Maitrea) Drive over for
lunch to Thimphu and proceed towards Paro
after a shopping spree in town if time
permits. Distance about 130 km, time 4/5
hrs. Overnight Paro.
Day 07: Paro sight seeing.
In the morning visit the museum (which in
the past served as the watch tower for the
Paro dzong below), the Paro dzong, built in
1646, and the Kyichu temple (built by the
Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th
century). After lunch drive to Drugyal dzong,
built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to
commemorate Bhutanese victory over the
Tibetans in the war of 1644. The dzong today
stands in ruins, after being gutted by a
fire. Behind the fort if the weather is
clear you can see the looming majestic peak
of Mt. Chomolhari (7314 mtrs.) You can also
see from the road the Taktsang monastery
clinging on the rocks above. If there is
still some time left visit a farmhouse to
test some unique drink/snacks served in
traditional style. Overnight Paro.
DAY 08: Departure.
Start early for the airport. Our guide will
escort you to the airport in Paro and bid
you farewell! |