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11 nights / 12 days |
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Days 01 :
Arrive Paro by Druk air A319, the only
national carrier. The flight offers you
beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On
arrival and after visa formalities you will be
received by ITT members. Afternoon / evening
time at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort.
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Days 02 :
Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined
fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts
visitors due to the strategic location of the
fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the
Tibetan invasion from the north in the early
17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari
7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong.
Proceed through the beautiful valley to the
watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was
housed into the National museum in the 1960s by
the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven
floors museum highlights various aspects of
Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the
7th century. A short walk downhill to the
Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative
center and school for monks. Walk further down
crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town.
Evening drive 2 hours to Thimphu (65km).
Overnight at Hotel River view or similar.
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Days 03 :
AM sightseeing - visit the
Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of
healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school,
National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and
Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial chorten built in
the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery,
Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin"
national animal of Bhutan and drive further down
with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the
new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the
market. Overnight same.
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Days 04 :
Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via
Punakha crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters.
On fine weather you will see the eastern
Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain
in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The
drive from the pass is all the way downhill
dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of
lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong which served as
an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable
fortress is built between two rivers and has
survived many glacial floods and fire. Every
year during the month of February a procession
known as the Punakha Serda takes place to
commemorate the victory over the Tibetans.
Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view
the Dzong from outside and stroll around the
market area. Check into Wangdi Kichu Resort.
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Days 05 :
Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa
valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only
Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located
here. This beautiful valley is also home to the
rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the
Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.
Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing
in this valley and the Royal Society for
Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every
measures to ensure the safety of the Cranes.
While the cranes reside in the winter valley for
4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to
make loud noises or fish in the river that runs
through the valley. Explore the fascinating
glacier valley and return to the Resort.
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Days 06 :
Today will be a long drive
almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000
meters. The route offers magnificent views of
the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through
scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons
and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18
century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour
arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning
new village. The town mainly consists of fresh
Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all
is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern
Bhutan was con trolled from this fortress during
the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed
inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to
Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center.
Overnight at Karma Tobden GuestHouse.
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Days 07 :
Bumthang altitude 2600m, has an
individuality that charms its visitors and
separates it from other regions. Comprised of
four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual
region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious
legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his
re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in
most nooks and corners. It is also known for its
woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung
outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit
the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang,
Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum
monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so
it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight
same.
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Days 08 :
Excursion 2 hours to Ura village and
visit the new Ura monastery. On the way visit
the Mebartso meaning burning lake. Stroll around
the village and return back to Guest house.
Evening walk to the swiss farm where apple
juice, cider, cheese etc... are made.
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Days 09 :
Drive back to Wangduephodrang.
Overnight at Wangdi Kichu Resort.
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Days 10 :
Drive 3/4 hours to Paro via Lobesa and
a short walk through farm houses and fields to
Chimme Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the
15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam
Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of
the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple
is visited mostly by childless couples. Lunch at
Thimphu and drive to Paro visiting the visiting
the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha
Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university.
Overnight Kichu Resort.
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Days 11 :
Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses
can be arranged with an extra cost. The hike
which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3
hours through villages and pine forests. The
monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff
800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated
by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has
taken immediate steps to restore the monastery
to its original structure. It is believed that
the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th
century on a flying tigress and meditated in a
cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who
were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and
converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During
the end of the 17 century a monastery was built
on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a
pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit
once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort.
Evening at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort.
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Days 12 :
Transfer to airport for
departure.
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For Further Information
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