Legendary Tour Of BhutanDay 1 : Arrival at ParoAfter a spectacular flight over the Himalayan Mountains, representatives of Zopa Adventure Travel will receive you on arrival at Paro International airport. After lunch, visit the national Museum “Ta Dzong” used as the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinpung Dzong in the 17th Century. It was converted into national Museum in 1968 and is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong, overlooking Paro Valley and the river. Visit Rinpung Dzong built in 1965 AD. This massive fortress is located in the Paro Valley. Today, the Dzong houses the administrative seat of the district of Paro and the monastic body. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong is one of the fine examples of Bhutanese architecture. Night halt at Paro at Tenzinling Resort. Day 2 : Paro- Thimphu (65 Kms)You will be driven to Thimphu (capital) along river side. Check in at hotel Riverview. Visit National library, the painting and woodcraft school where children are taught the traditional art of woodcraft and painting. Visit Dechenphodrang Monastery, which houses around 200monks. After lunch, visit the mini zoo to watch the national animal of Bhutan, the Takins. Evening explore Thimphu town on your own. Overnight in Thimphu at Druk Hotel. Day 3 : Thimphu sightseeing, hike to Tango MonastryIn the morning, visit the memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan who reined the kingdom from 1952- 1972. Then drive to base of Tango Monastery and hike up. Tango Monastery was built in 15th century by lam Drukpa Kuenley known for being a divine madman. The hike up will take approximately 45 minutes. The view from Tango Monastry is breathtaking. Return to Thimphu in the evening for relaxing walk in the town. Dinner at Bhutan Kitchen to taste the typical Bhutanese Cuisine. Night halt in Thimphu at Druk Hotel. Day 4 : Thimphu to WangdiphodrangThimphu- Wangdiphodrang, with afternoon excursion to Punakha. In the morning you will drive to Wangdiphodrang across Dochu La pass at 3,100 meters affording the views of the greater Himalayas ranges. Refreshment at the cafeteria of Dochu La pass. It is about 2 and half hours drive before you reach Wangdi where you will be checked in at Dragon nest Hotel at Wangdi. Visit Punakha Dzong built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. Visit Drupthop Nagi Rinchen’s famous shrine. A picnic lunch will be served by the river side. Evening, walk across the Metshina village and visit Chimi Lhakhang (Monastry), famously known as the fertility shrine. Night halt at Wangdiphodrang at Dragon Nest. Day 5 : Wangdue- GangteyIn the morning, drive towards Gangtey through beautiful forests and flowers where you will visit Gangtey Gompa. There one can see the picture- perfect Black Mountain ranges and Phobjikha valley. Black necked cranes inhabit the valley in the winter. In the evening, you will explore the beautiful Phobjikha Valley with one-hour hike, known as the cultural hike of Phobjikha. Night halt at Phobjikha at Dewachen. Day 6 : Gangtey-TrongsaAfter breakfast, view the Black necked Cranes dancing in the first rays of sunlight. From there you’ll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is to Trongsa is spectacular passing 3,300 meters high Pele La pass and one will come across yaks along this way. After reaching Trongsa, check in the hotel and visit Trongsa Dzong, the giant fortress. Trongsa Dzong used to be the main administrative center during the second king’s reign. Night halt at Trongsa at Yangkhil Resort. Day 7 : Trongsa- BumthangEarly visit Watch Tower, Ta Dzong. Travel in the afternoon to Bumthang, considered one of the most beautiful valleys located in central Bhutan. Night halt at Jakar, (Choekhar) at River Lodge. Day 8 :In Bumthang. Our guests will be taking about 3 hours hike to Tharpaling Monastry. It houses monks and temples and is one of the most important monastries built by Longchen Ramjamba, the famous saint of Longchen Nyingthek’s tradition in Nyingmapa sect. It can be also a viewpoint of the valley. Picnic lunch will be served outside the Monastry. Visit town in the evening. Night in jakar, Bumthang at River Lodge. Day 9 :Morning explore picturesque sightseeing at Bumthang. Today’s sightseeing includes visit to several sacred Lhakhangs. Afternoon visit to Jakar Dzong, karchu Dratshang and Guru Rimpoche’s flaming lake called Membertsho. More of Bumthang in the evening. Night at River Lodge. Day 10 : Bumthang- WangdiphodrangDrive back early to Wangdiphodrang to allow time to visit the town in the later. Lunch at Chendebji Chorten. Night at Wangdiphodrang at Kyichu Resort. Day 11 : Wangdiphodrang- ParoReturn to Paro via Thimphu. After lunch, visit the one of the oldest Monastry, Kyichu Lhakhang. Stroll around in Paro Town in the evening. Night halt at Paro at Tenzinling Resort. Day 12 :Take a hike to Taktshang (Monastry) which means tiger’s nest. The hike to the viewpoint is for one hour and to the Monastry is for 2 hours. If you wish, you can take short meditation section in the Monastry. Lunch at the viewpoint. Night halt at Paro at Tenzinling Resort. Day 13 :Daparture from Paro. |