The Thimphu Drupchen is the biggest and most spectacular of the Buddhist festivals faithfully celebrated in Bhutan.  People flock to bear witness to their Buddhist faith, dressed in traditional finery. They receive blessings and watch masked dances and colorful symbolic dramas performed in the courtyard of the Thimphu Dzong. A deeply religious country, Buddhism was first introduced to Bhutan around AD 800 by the revered Guru Padma Sambhava, "he who was born of a lotus flower", and it is in his honor that the festival is held.

Fly to Paro

Altitude: 2250m
Paro is in Western Bhutan

Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight often gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, including Everest, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by NAT Representative, your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your hotel.

Trek to view Taksang
Walking distance   :      approximately 2-3 hrs

Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the site of the famous Tiger's nest, the Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998.  It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan.  After Lunch visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit the massive Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events, which has a long and fascinating history. There will also be a chance to wander around the small township of Paro.  Overnight Hotel Olathang

Paro – Thimphu

Mode of Transport :      Coaster Bus
Driving Distance    :      65 kms
Driving Time        :      1.5 hrs
Altitude            :      2350m
Thimphu is in Western Bhutan

After Breakfast drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan.  Visit Thimphu Tashichhodzong to observe performers at the very popular Thimphu Drupchen. Today Bhutanese from many different areas will gather to pay respect and to be blessed at this social gathering.  Bhutanese dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry attends this celebration of purification and religious blessings. Here we can truly appreciate the essence of Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture. Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the "Thunderbolt Step" at the Drupchen performed.  It is a rare privilege to be in attendance; enjoy!

Sightseeing in the Thimphu Valley

After breakfast visit the Thimphu Weekly Market.  From nomadic farmers that come into the city to trade supplies, to Bhutanese businessmen, to ever-present monks, there will always be a colorful gathering passing by.  Sightseeing includes visits to the late king's memorial chorten, the Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, the silversmiths and pottery workshops and possibly the National Library. There will also be plenty of time to continue exploring the streets and emporiums. Overnight Hotel Druk.

Thimphu to Trongsa

Mode of Transport :      Coaster Bus
Driving Distance    :      200 kms
Driving Time        :      6-7 hrs
Altitude            :      2200m
Trongsa is in Central Bhutan

Journey today from Thimphu to the Centre of Bhutan, Trongsa En route view the massive Wangdi Dzong atop a high ridge between the Puna Chhu and Dang Chhu.   Carry on the drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, gushing waterfalls and constantly changing vegetation to Trongsa.  Arrival late afternoon in Trongsa. Here we halt for the night at a local Bhutanese hotel.

Trongsa to Bumthang

Mode of Transport :      Coaster Bus
Driving Distance    :      68 kms
Driving Time        :      3 hrs
Altitude            :      2800m
Bumthang is in Central Bhutan

After breakfast, we will have some time to explore the shops at Trongsa after which we will walk up the small hill to visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower which overlooks Tongsa Dzong. The main temple in Ta Dzong is dedicated to Ling Gesar, the warrior whose mission was to vanquish the forces threatening the Buddhist teachings.  Built in 1644, Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan with magnificent traditional Bhutanese architecture.  The ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal family, the hilly landscapes surrounding the dzong and wooden slatted houses overlooking the town of Tongsa are spectacular.

After lunch, drive for approximately four hours to Jakar, the center of the Bumthang valley.  From Tongsa the road climbs quickly to Yuto-la pass (3400m), the scenery changes to fir-covered slopes, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. We then enter the wide chummy valley of Bumthang, which is famous for woolen cloth weaving known as Yathra. The women weavers make Yathra on pedal-driven looms, following an ancient tradition. Everything is done by hand, from dyeing the skins through the actual weaving. The Yathra is used to make blankets, cushion covers, jackets and others garments. We will visit few centers of Yathra weaving.  Arrive at Jakar by late afternoon.  Settle into Jakar Village Lodge.

Bumthang Cultural Tour

Bumthang is considered the most sacred and religious of all the valleys in Bhutan. The ancestral home of Buddhism in Bhutan, its wide central valley is the site of many important monasteries and temples that contain a wealth of valuable religious artifacts making it a place of pilgrimage for the devout Bhutanese people.

We will spend a full day in this marvelous valley -Bumthang. It was in this valley that Vajrayana Buddhist doctrine was introduced to Bhutan, when Guru Rimpoche, the second Buddha, visited the valley in 8th Century. Jam bay Lhakhang, the first Buddhist temple dedicated to the future Buddha, was built here in 7th Century, even before the arrival of Guru Rimpoche by the Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo.  A little further to the north we have Kurjey Lhakhang, a temple, built around the cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated and left the imprint of his body on a rock. Kurjey is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Next to this temple, there are two new temples built in traditional style. Walking is certainly the most pleasant way to explore this magical valley, full of peace and beauty. Three to four hours of walk in the valley will take us past numerous chortens, Mani walls and prayer flags, all bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism.    Overnight at the Jakar Village Lodge.

Bumthang to Punakha

Mode of Transport :      Coaster Bus
Driving Distance    :      250 kms
Driving Time        :      7-8 hrs
Altitude            :      1350 m
Punakha is in Western Bhutan

Today we journey from Bumthang in the Centre to the Punakha in the West of Bhutan.  Punakha was Bhutan’s winter capital of 300 years.  Overnight at Hotel Zangtopelri.

Punakha Valley Sight seeing

Visit the Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.  The Punakha Dzong is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.  Hike up to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten Perched high on a hill on the opposite side of the river.  The Chorten which took eight years to build was consecrated during a three day ceremony in December 1999.  The three level chorten is topped by a dome and a stack of 12 circular rings, then an umbrella, the sun, moon and finally a jeweled pinnacle.
Overnight at Hotel Zando Pelri.

Punakha to Paro

Mode of Transport :      Coaster Bus
Driving Distance    :      136 kms
Driving Time        :      4 hrs

1 and half hours drive to Dochula pass (10000 ft), through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass view the most majestic Eastern Himalayan peaks.   Lunch will be served at Dochula.  Continue to Paro, 2 and half hours drive via the confluence where Pa Chhu meets the Thimphu Chhu.  Overnight at hotel Olathang, Paro.

Departure