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Day 1: ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PARO
During
the journey, the traveler will experience from the left
side of the plane a spectacular view of Mt. Everest, and
other famous Himalayan Mountains including the sacred
Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival
at Paro International Airport you will be received by
your Bhutanese friend from Makalu Adventure
Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Tour Programme with the
Tour Guide. Afternoon sight seeing
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day
2: PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY
Drive up to Satsam Chorten
(10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to
Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s
Nest ". The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff
drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley
and the river. It is said that in the second half of the
8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second
Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the
Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back
of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang
cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hr. After lunch:
Visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 kilometers
away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin but
this Dzong has its great historical importance for the
people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese
finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them
back. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mt.
Jhomolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Its altitude is
7,329m.Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple).
Which was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of
Tibet as one of the 108 such monasteries he built in
various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between
Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest
place in the country, as it marks the advent of Buddhism
in the country and visit National Museum which used to
be a watch tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). It
was converted into Museum in 1968. Visit Paro Rimpong
Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD, and walk down to
town on the way you can see the traditional wood bridge
of ancient style.
Over night: Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: THIMPHU – SIGHT SEEING
After
breakfast: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa)
built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned
the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the mini Zoo where the
national animals were kept and drive to Sangeygang where
you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. Visit
nunnery in Zulikha. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting
school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept
alive through the instructions of painting and curving.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles
and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be
purchased. Visit the National Library where ancient
manuscripts are preserved. Visit Tashi Nancha Folk
studio, the traditional folk and dances are learned and
practiced. Early lunch in hotel in Thimphu. After lunch,
drive towards Dodena. Trek along Thimphu Chu inside
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park.
Over night: Hotel in Thimphu
Day 4: THIMPHU – PHUNAKHA
Drive to
Punakha through Dochula Pass (3150m). On the way stop
for a photo stop at Dochula Pass which is 26km away from
Thimphu valley, and for Tea and snacks and to enjoy the
most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan snow capped
Mountains and also the great view of Gasa Dzong at a
distance (If weather is clear).
Dochula is home to 16 species of Bhutanese
Rhododendrons. It also harbors different species of
Primula, Lauraceae such as Litsea, Cinnamomum, Neolitsea
etc., oaks, Virburnum, Magnolia, Daphne, Arisaema spp.
Gentian, Himalayan Acer, and many others. Recently, on
the pass of Dochula, 108 small chortens were erected
which add beauty to the natural setting of the area. We
will trek downwards, 30-40 minutes following the old
route to have better idea of natural forest. The journey
continues through varying scenes of greenery all the way
to Punakha. Visit Punakha town. The Punakha Dzong lies
between two great rivers with the wonderful view of
Punakha Dzong. The names of the rivers are Phochu (Male
River) and Mochu (Female River). This Dzong serves as
the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of
the Central Monastic Body and also the office of the
district Administration.
Over night: Hotel in Punakha.
Day 5:
PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING
Drive to
Tashithang, a part of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National
Park, the largest park in Bhutan. Tashithang is situated
in warm subtropical zones and vegetation is mainly of
subtropical. Different epiphytic orchids such as
Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Liparis,
Pleione etc. as well as ground orchids such as Calanthe,
Goodyera, Cephalanthera, etc. are found here. Wild
Bananas (Musa) also thrives here. Tree species such as
Engleherdia, Tauluma, Magnolia, Symploccus, Litsea,
Cinnamomum, Rubus spp.
Over night: Hotel in Punakha.
Day 6: PUNAKHA – GANTEY VALLEY
After
breakfast drive to Gangtey valley, on the way hike about
20 minutes to the Famous Chhimi Lhakhang where Devine
Madman meditated in 14 century “Temple of Fertility”, it
is strongly believe that any couples who do not have
children after long years of marriage go there and pray
and in next month the woman gets conceived. Drive to
warm valley of Wangdiphodrang towards Gantey Gonpa.
Lunch at Wangue Phodrang. On the way, we will drive
through part of Pele La (commonly known as Black
Mountains) pass that separates western Bhutan from
Eastern. During the drive, we will be able to see
different species of Rhododendrons, Legumes, Magnolia,
weeping Cypress (national tree of Bhutan), etc.
Over night: Hotel in Phobjikha Valley.
Day 7: GANGTEY VALLEY – BUMTHANG
Drive to
Bumthang valley (200km) the journey takes about 6 hours
through Pelela Pass which ascends up to 3340m where you
can see wonderful view of Himalayan Mountains and this
Pass separates the western from the other regions of the
country. The drive will take you through the thick dwarf
bamboo (grows in higher altitutes), a winter place for
Yak, and through thick Rhododendrons forest with
beautiful colors of red, white, and yellow. Lunch in
Chendebji. After lunch, drive to Trongsa. On the way you
will have the spectacular view of Trongsa from distance
and take a picture of Trongsa Dzong from the view point.
Visit the Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest Dzongs in
the country, the ancestral home of our Royal family. It
was built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the third Desi, in
1648. The Dzong is the office of the district
Administration and central monastic body. Visit also the
Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) and stroll through the small Trongsa
town. Drive to Bumthang Valley across the Yutola Pass.
The journey takes about 3 hrs and is one of the most
scenically beautiful journeys to Bhutan, Enjoy the
hospitality of Bhutanese family in farm house or guest
house in Bumthang.
Over night: Hotel or family owned guest house in
Bumthang valley.
Day 8: BUMTHANG VALLEY – URA VALLEY
After
breakfast, drive to Ura valley, the one of the most
impressive village in the country. On the way drive to
Mebar Tso (Burning Lake) and with several stops to see
the different species. The most commonly seen species
will be few species of Rhododendrons, Rubus, Acer,
Aconitum, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Clemantis, few species
of orchid such as Coelogyne, Pleione, Cephalenthera,
conifers such as fir, hemlock, Pine, Juniperus, Primulas,
Androsac, etc. If time permits join the local people at
the Ura monastery to witness the second day of annual
festival this remote village.
Over night: Lodge or Camp at Ura Village.
Day 9: URA VALLEY – BUMTHANG
Early,
we will drive to Thriumshing La National Park,
established in 1998 covering Bumthang, Lhuentse,
Zhemgang, and Mongar districts. In 2001, Royal
Government of Bhutan designated one of the areas close
to the pass as insitu-Rhododendron garden. Thumshing La
National Park is home to many endemic species viz.
Daphne ludlowii, Lobelia nubigena, Vanda griffithii,
Rubus sengorensis, and Pedicularis spp. It is also home
to some of the fauna species such as Red Panda,
reptiles, amphibians and one can watch different avian
fauna. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Bumthang.
Over night: Guest house in Bumthang.
Day 10:
BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG
Drive
back to Wangdue. During the return journey, we will be
stopping in many places to see what have left out, for
new blossom, reconfirmation etc.
Over night: Hotel in Wangdue
Day 11: WANGDUE PHODRANG – HAA VALLEY
After
breakfast drive to Thimphu, lunch at Thimphu, after
lunch drive to Ha valley. Ha valley was recently open
for tourists. Situated in the temperate region among the
Blue pine forest, Ha used to be very important district
in ancient time as a gateway to western Bhutan. During
the drive, we will be able to see different species of
both flora and fauna. Trees such as Populus, Altingia,
Hammelidaceae, Pine, Acer, and shrubs such as
Leycesteria, Lonicera, Coriaria, Rubus. Cotoneaster,
Philadelphus, Hydrangea, and many herbeceous species.
Over night: Hotel in Haa valley.
Day 12: HAA VALLEY – PARO VALLEY
Aterbreakfast: Drive Paro valley via Chele La Pass to
Paro. Chele-la (3800m) Chele-la that divides Haa valley
and Paro valleys and has been one of the important
routes in olden days for any travelers that would visit
Bhutan from Northwestern India. It has been mentioned
repeatedly in most of the writings by British Political
envoys such as George Boyle, J. C White as well as other
botanists. The accounts of Ludlow and Sherriff, two
naturalists who visited Bhutan seven times and collected
a historic record of 21, 000 Bhutanese plants have
crossed this pass during their visit in 1938. Chele-la
harbors one of the most exciting sites for Bhutanese
flora. Many species of Primulas, Rhododendron, Iris,
Betula, Lilies (such as Notholirion, Lloydia and
Fritillaria), Saxifraga, Bergenia, Aconitum, Pedicularis,
Gentians, and others grows extensively and will make any
visitor's heart a delight.
Over night. Hotel in Paro.
Day
13:
PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for departure
Early
morning drive to Paro International Airport and your
Bhutanese friends from Bhutan Bigfoot Trekking will
accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your
onward journey to back home. |