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Day 1:
Arrive 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 and photography
session.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro |
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Day 2: PARO SIGHT SEEING
Morning 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.
After Lunch 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
one the way you can see the traditional wood bridge of
ancient style.
Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and sightseeing trip
to the Paro town.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro |
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Day 3: PARO - A
DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG MONASTERY
Photography
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.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro. |
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Day 4: PARO - A DAY
EXCURSION TO HAA VALLEY AND DRIVE BACK VIA
CHELLELA PASS
Drive to Haa valley, Visit the small town in
Haa which was recently open for tourism. It is located
to the extreme western part of the kingdom and drive
back from Chellela Pass where you can see beautiful snow
capped mountains ranges and rhododendron flowers in
bloom.
A picnic lunch at Chellela passes. On the way back walk
to Chellela Nunnery.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro. |
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Day 5: PARO - THIMPU
Visit Simtokha Dzong on the
way. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It
was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic
schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main
secretariat building. This massive structure houses part
of the government Ministries, the office of the King and
the Throne Room. It also houses the Central Monastic
Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the
senior monks. Lunch hotel in Thimphu.
Afternoon: 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.
Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu |
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Day 6: THIMPU -GANGTEY
VALLEY
Drive to Gangtey valley which takes about 6
hours journey and it is a beautiful valley situated at
an altitude of 3000m, this valley was open its route
very recently. The journey takes about 6 hours 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) and descends down to subtropical area Wangdue
Phodrang. During winter one can see the endangered
species of bird (Black Naked Crane). Lunch in Punakha or
in Wangdue Phodrang.
Over night: Hotel in Gangtey valley |
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Day 7: GANGTEY
VALLEY - BUMTHANG
Drive to Bumthang (Jakar, the castle of white
bird) (200km) and again it ascends up to the Pelela Pass
which is 3340m where you can see wonderful view of
Himalayan Mountains and this Pass separates the western
from the other regions of the country. Lunch in
Chendebji.
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 now 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. Lunch in Trongsa. Afternoon. 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: Guest house in Bumthang |
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Day 8:
BUMTHANG
- SIGHT SEEING
Visit the village and explore the beautiful
valley of Bumthang. Drive through the picturesque valley
of Bumthang and visit Jambay Lhakhang Kurje Lhakhang,
Tamshing Lhakhang, and Kuenshusum Lhakhang. Lunch in
Guest house.
Afternoon, Visit Jakar Dzong, built by Minjur Tempa, the
3rd Desi in 1646 AD (Desi means temporary ruler
appointed by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal) and drive to
Member (Tsho) the burning
Over night: Hotel in Bumthang |
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Day 9: BUMTHANG
- MONGAR
After breakfast, drive to Mongar.
Packed Lunch will be served on the way. You can pass
through the Bumthang and enroute explore Ura valley, one
of the most beautiful valley of Bhutan. There you can
see the typical Bhutanese farm houses.
Over night: Hotel in Mongar. |
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Day 10: MONGAR – TRASHIYANGTSE |
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Day 11:
TRASHIGANG - SAMDRUP JONGHAR
After
breakfast, visit Mongar Dzong. This Dzong was
rebuilt in 1953 and is quite small. There are
around 50 to 60 monks in the Dzong, many of them
young boys eight to ten years old. The image of
in the Dzong are Buddha of long live as well as
Guru Rimpoche ( One who brought Buddhism in
Bhutan) and drive further to Trashigang. On the
way to Trashigang, we have to cross over Korila
Pass. Visit Trashigang Dzong which is on the
high promontory that over looks the confluence
of the Drangme Chu (River) and Gamri Chu. It was
built in 1667 by Mingyur Tenpa, Bhutan’s third
Desi(Govener). Here you can see many Nomadic
herdsmen (Brokpas) of Higher Himalayas. This day
is perfect for Photography with these Nomadic
Herdsmen. In the evening, visit to a near by
village.
Over night: Camp or farm houses |
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Day 12:
TRASHIGANG - SAMDRUP JONGKHAR
Drive early
morning to Samdrupjongkhar, on the way visit the
only Bhutanese Unversity in the far eastern part
of the country, and after few hours’ drive you
can visit Khaling women weaving centre, where
the Bhutanese garments are produced by the
Bhutanese women in the country and on the way
you come across with lot of birds of Bhutan.
Over night: Hotel in Samdrupjongkhar. |
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Day 13: SAMDRUP
JONGKHAR - INDIAN ESTATE OF ASSAM (GUAHATI)
for departure
Early morning drive to Bhutanese gate (Bhutan
Border) and your Bhutanese friends from Makalu
Adventure will accompany you to bid farewell as
you embark on your onward journey to back home. |