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14 nights / 15 days (reverse)
12 nights / 13 days (exit) |
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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 at leisure. Overnight at
Kichu Resort.
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Days 03 :
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 clings to a huge granite cliff 800
meters from the Paro valley. 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 drive 2 hours to Thimphu and will be a
pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained
road through out Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel Druk
or River view.
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Days 04 :
AM sightseeing - visit the
Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of
healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school,
National library, Royal goldsmith
][op00p0ppgbbvcn,m. 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 05 :
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 06 :
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 07 :
Today the drive takes about 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 controlled 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 Guest House.
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Days 08 :
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 09 :
Today will be the longest drive
almost 8/9 hours to Mongar winding through more
rugged terrain. On the way visit the Mebartso
meaning burning lake. If there is time a short
visit to Ura village. The drive from Ura is all
the way uphill crossing the highest motor road
pass nemed Thrumshing la in Bhutan at 4050
meters. The panoramic view from the pass is just
thrilling. Down route from the pass goes through
alpine & rhododendron forest reaching Sengor for
lunch stop. This small village is a open vast
land surrounded mainly by pine forest. The drive
from here is hair raising as the roads is narrow
and the bends gets sharper but the scenic beauty
is truly enchanting passing cascading
waterfalls, terraced fields and scattered farm
houses. After descending at an altitude of 700
meters the climate gets warmer. Mongar is
located on a hill side and is a new town. The
Dzong built not long ago maintains the
architectural traditions of old dzongs.
Overnight Hotel on room availability or camp.
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Days 10 :
The road from Mongar to
Trashigang begins through lush forests and ferns
passing over Kori la pass. Descend rapidly
through corn fields and banana grooves passing
Yedi village. Follow the Gamri river until the
bifurcation to Drametsi perched atop a steep
hill. It is also famous for the dance called
Drametsi Nga cham (Drum dance). Trashigang lies
30 kilometers from the junction and lies on top
of a steep hill. This district is the biggest
and most populated in the Kingdom. The Dzong
built strategically on the spur going out
towards the Gamri river. Overnight Hotel or
camp.
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Days 11 :
Sightseeing - Drive 2 hours to
Tashi Yangtsi. On the way visit Gom Kora
monastery located near a river. It is believed
that Guru Rinpoche turned into a Garuda to
subdue a demon and the imprints of serpent and
his body can be seen. Also there is a passage
leading from one end to the other end of the
huge boulder and who ever crosses the passage
his/her sins will be forgiven. Next stop is at
Duksum a small village boasting of the oldest
iron suspension bridge built during the 15
century by Drupthob Chazampa builder of iron
bridges. Further on lies the beautiful Chorten
Kora a huge white washed stupa surrounded by a
small community who make the famous wooden
bowels (Dapa).
Drive back to Trashigang. Overnight Hotel or
camp.
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Days 12 :
Drive to Bumthang via Mongar.
Overnight Lodge.
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Days 13 :
Drive to wangduephodrang.
Overnight Resort.
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Days 14 :
Drive to Paro. Overnight Kichu
resort.
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Days 15 :
Departure by flight.
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For Further Information
Click Here |
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