FAR-REACHING VOYAGE TO THE LAST SHANGRILA

Day 1- International Arrival & Transfer to Thimphu

Distance: 53Kms / 32miles

Drive Time: 1 hour approx.

Altitude: 2350m / 7709ft

Lunch: Depending on your flight timing

Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Drive you to your hotel in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes you through the picturesque winding road along the Paro River.

After settling into your hotel, the day in Thimphu offers many options to explore the culture, religion and beautiful forests of the bustling capital. However, we will take it slow and easy for you to get well acquainted with the elevation.

15 minutes drive to Sangaygang (Bhutan Broad Casting Tower) from the main city. From there you can appreciate the beauty of the whole Thimphu city with a hike to Wangditse monastery.

Wangditse Goemba was established in 1750 by the attendants of Bhutan’s eighth Desi and totally rebuilt in 2016. The Lhakhang houses the statues of the guardian deities Yeshey Gonpo (Mahakala), Palden Lhamo (Mahakali) and Tsheringma (the Goddess of Longevity). Followed by a visit to the Thimphu Zoo, home to Bhutan’s National animal, the Takin.

 

Day 2- Travel to Gangtey

Distance: 146kms / 91 miles

Drive: 5 hours approx.

Altitude: 3000m / 9800ft.

Lunch: Picnic

Stop at Dochula pass (3100m) to see the beautiful mountain peaks on a clear sky. The 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. And then to the glorious Wangdue Dzong followed by the town’s local market.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel constructed the Wangdue Dzong in 1638 atop a high ridge between the Puna Tsang Chhu and the Dang Chhu, clearly picked for its impressive sight of the valleys below. Sadly the Dzong caught fire on 24^th June 2012 and the reconstruction is still underway.

Before reaching Gangtey (Phobjikha), we will make a quick stop at lawala pass to take in the beauty and freshness of the forest, rhododendron and all that the surrounding has to offer.

In the evening leisure walk to Gela village and to the 700 years old Gela monastery followed by a walk in the pine woods to the Longchen Rabjamba’s walking stick tree.

Duration: 1:30 minutes

 

Day 3- In the valley of Black-necked Crane

Lunch: Picnic / Hotel 

Drive to Gangtey Gomba a 16^th-century monastery situated attractively at the hilltop at the edge of Gangtey village, making it the milestone structure of Phobjikha valley. It is the central seat of the Pedling tradition of Buddhism in Western Bhutan and was built as a center of spiritual teaching.

Nature trail effortless scenic hike heading downhill from the Gomba through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley.

Nature Trail duration: 1:30 minutes.

Followed by the visit to the information center of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature’s (RSPN), which has an informative display about black-necked cranes and the valley environment.

You can also meet the recovering Karma, the black-necked crane.

Tongphushing hike completing 360 of the valley. This is a beautiful leisurely 1-2 hour walk through the pine forest, farmland and the villages.

 

Day 4- Drive to Bumthang

Distance: 188kms / 116 miles

Drive: 6 hours approx.

Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.

Lunch: Picnic / at a local hotel

Visit Trongsa Dzongkhag on the way to Bumthang. Trongsa Dzongkhag (2200m) was considered crucial in controlling the kingdom in earlier years due to its strategic position. This town is situated on a steep ridge and offers spectacular views of the deep valleys surrounding it.

Trongsa is one of Bhutan’s most historic towns and often known as the gateway to the east of the country.

The Trongsa Dzong built in 1644 served as the original seat of power of the House of Wangchuck before it became rulers of Bhutan in 1907. Trongsa Dzong or ‘Fortress on the tip of a Conch’ is the longest Dzong in the country. All the Kings of Bhutan first becomes the Trongsa Penlop (governor) before being named Crown Prince and eventually King. Higher yet on the mountainside is a watchtower, called “Ta Dzong” to guard the dzong against enemies.

A five-day festival known as the Trongsa Tsechu is held in the northern courtyard during the month of December or January.

Trongsa Museum is definitely worth a stop on the way to or from Bumthang. The museum is located in the Taa Dzong or “Watchtower”, with splendid views of Trongsa and the Trongsa Dzong- the longest fortress in the Kingdom.

Chendbji Chorten was built in the 18^th century by Lama Zhida, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa with eyes painted at the four cardinal points.

Yutong-La Pass is a 3425m high in the east of Trongsa town and the road enters the Chhume valley.

 

Day 5- In Bumthang Valley

Duration: 2-3 hours

Today we will do temple tour combined visit to Red Panda brewery and lunch at the farmhouse.

Rather than driving to the beautiful temples in Bumthang, we recommend walking if the weather permits. You can start your walk from Jambay Lhakhang, believed to have been built in year 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, on the same day as Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, in order to subdue a Tibetan demoness.

Continue from Jambay, through fields and meadows to Kurjey Lhakhang. The monastery got its name after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche who was invited to meditate here in 746 AD to subdue evil spirits and demons. Followed by Kurjey Drupchhu is believed to be holy water and cures all our sins and illnesses.

Next stop is Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of Good Message), built by Pema Lingpa in 1501 and is the most important Nyingma Lhakhang in the Kingdom. We then continue to Kenchosum Lhakhang by walk or ride. This Lhakhang is a rural looking temple which has its roots in the 7^th century.

In the evening, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley to visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14^th century crossing a suspension bridge.

 

Day 6- Travel to Mongar

Distance: 198kms / 123 miles

Drive: 7 hours approx.

Altitude: 1700m / 5580 ft.

Lunch: Picnic

The excursion carryon eastwards winding through more rugged terrain with most spectacular views.

Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing steeply to one of the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (3800m). Gradually dropdown to Sengor, watching flowing waterfalls on the way. And again climbing through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town.

Visit Mongar Dzong, built although quite recently, the Dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old Dzongs.

 

Day 7- Drive to Trashigang “The Jewel of the East”

Distance: 96kms / 60 miles

Drive: 3 hours approx.

Altitude: 1151m / 3776 ft.

Lunch: Local Hotel

The first part of the trip passes through a green forest filled with ferns and slopes down quickly over cornfield and banana groves. Trashigang is the biggest center and the most populated district in the east.

We will walk through the town’s plaza where a large wheel sits in the center of the square and visit the Trashigang Dzong.

The Trashigang Dzong or ‘The Fortress of the Auspicious Hill’was built in 1658 overlooking Dangme Chhu River. It has been the political stronghold of Eastern Bhutan for over 300 years.

 

Day 8- In Trashigang (Excursion to Trashi Yangtse)

Distance: 24kms / 60 miles

Drive: 2 hours approx.

Altitude: 1151m / 3776 ft.

Lunch: Picnic

Today we will drive to Trashi Yangtse and to Gom Kora to visit Chorten Kora. It was constructed in 1740 to subdue local spirits.

Trashi Yangtse borders the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Make a stop at the Duksum village where you can see women busy weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric using back strap-looms in the shops selling them.

We will further visit the Trashi Yangtse Dzong at 1850m altitude was an important center as it lies on one of the craven routes leading from west to center Bhutan during earlier times.

We drive back to Trashigang for overnight.

 

Day 9- Drive back to Bumthang

Distance: 246.3kms / 153 miles

Drive: 9 hours approx.

Altitude: 2500m / 8200 ft.

Lunch: Picnic

After breakfast, we drive back to Bumthang and relax at the hotel after a long drive.

 

Day 10- In Bumthang

Duration: 5-6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

We will visit some of the most sacred locations in Tang valley combined with bushman trail and lunch at Ogyen Chholing Palace, originally built in the 16th century, however, several parts were rebuilt after an earthquake in 1897. The family who currently owns Ogyen Chholing turned it into a museum a few years back and opened a charming guest house on the palace ground.

Bushman trail has been introduced as a biking trail and is a pleasant and fairly easy hike. The hike starts from Kharchu Dratshang meditation junction, climb upward for around 20-30 minutes. The path then traverses through pine forest to the hilltop from where we can have a good view of Chamkhar valley.

At the end of the trail, you can see the Zangdopelri (Paradise of Ugyen Guru Rimpoche) at Dungmithang. At the end of the hike, you can visit the Bebzur Chukpoi Mei (House of the novelty of Bebzur), which has been turned into a Museum.

After lunch, we can visit Pema Tekchok Chholing Nunnery which is a small nunnery in Tang Valley currently under major expansion and reconstruction. About 105 nuns aged eight to 40+ reside and study at the temple.

We will stop at Membartsho (The Burning Lake): The story has it that Pema Lingpa had a dream that he would find a treasure where a wooden bridge spans across the trapped river-water pool. Ta Rimochen Lhakhang was built by Pema Lingpa in the 14th century.  The temple is dominated by an enormous rock at which Guru Rimpoche meditated.

If time permits we can visit Jakar Dzong, constructed as a monastery in 1549 on a high ground looking over the town junction. Now it serves as the administrative center for Bumthang district.

 

Day 11- Travel to Punakha

Distance: 212kms / 131.7 miles

Drive: 8 hours approx.

Altitude: 1300m / 4265 ft.

Lunch: Picnic / at a local hotel

Drive to Punakha and Leisure evening at the hotel.

 

Day 12- In Punakha

Duration: 5 hours

Lunch: Picnic

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Today we are up for a combination of visits to the beautiful Khamsum Chorten, followed by old hilltop temple Giligang, Punakha Dzong and last but not the least the longest suspension bridge.

Khumsum Chorten standing majestically on the hill above Punakha valley while admiring the gorgeous traditions and architecture of Asian country with the beautiful view of the valley. It was built by the third queen mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Giligang Temple is a 300-year old privately owned monastery which has been taken care by the same family for generations.

The majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’ is the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Constructed in 1673 and the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo.

End the day by exploring the longest suspension Bridge (160m) in Bhutan. The bridge is built over the Pho Chhu River and serves as the main thoroughfare between Punakha town and the surrounding villages.

 

Day 13- Travel to Paro

Distance: 143kms / 88 miles

Drive: 4.5 hours approx.

Altitude: 2250m / 7382 ft.

Lunch: Picnic

Stop at Chimi Lhakhang on the way to your next destination. Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as ‘the Divine Madman’ or the ‘Mad Saint”. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and carved wooden phalluses on housetops. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.

We will make a visit to Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal just 5kms from Thimphu city before getting to Paro.

 

Day 14- In Paro

Our first stop, the National Museum, which rests above Paro Dzong, is also known as Ta Dzong (watchtower) and was built in 1649 to protect the Paro Dzong.

The Paro Dzong’s full name is Paro Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels’ and was constructed in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Now the Dzong houses both the monastic body and district government offices.

From the Dzong, a leisurely walk back into town crosses the scenic Nyamai Zampa (Bridge), a unique model of Bhutan’s traditional cantilever bridges. Continue to the town temples, Tshongdue Lhakhang and Drukchholing Lhakhang, with its fascinating altar and paintings. The wall paintings and unique design of Dungtse Lhakhang, plus a visit to the revered Kyichu Lhakhang, which pins down the left foot of a treacherous Ogress, are a great finish to this day of cultural immersion.

 

Day 15: Hike to the Tiger’s Nest

Duration: 4.5 hours

After breakfast, hike to the magnificent Tiger’s Nest combined with lunch at the farmhouse or picnic. Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Goempa is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900m above the valley floor.

The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The hike offers spectacular views of the Goempa and the valley below.

Horses or mules can be arranged on request to help lighten the journey.

 

Day 16: International Departure

Bidding you farewell and looking forward to welcoming you again.