Highlights: This tour is a journey into the heart of Bhutan, steeped in Buddhism, where the forces of nature are severe, yet equally balanced with the lives and faith of the people.  This is a leisurely tour, with plenty of time to look around and take-in the raw natural and spiritual beauty of the country.  View exquisite temples, monasteries and Dzongs, with stunning views of the world's most awesome mountains as we drive from one valley to another.

Day 1 – Fly to Paro, Sunday, 30 April 2006

Altitude: 2250m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    17.6  Minimum     4.6
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.  Met on arrival by your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your hotel. After a fine rest and lunch we take off the afternoon sight seeing to Drukgyal Dzong, 15 kms from Paro Drukgyal Dzong and return via the town for an initial wonder along the streets of the small township of Paro.   Spend the night at hotel Olathang, Paro.

Day 2 –Trek to view Taksang, Monday, 1 May 2006

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, rebuilt, it is perched some 1000m/3,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley. 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

Day 3 - Paro to Thimphu, Tuesday, 2 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land Cruiser
Driving Distance    :      65 kms
Driving Time        :      1.5 hrs
Altitude            :      2350m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    22.5         Minimum     13.1
Thimphu is in Western Bhutan

2 hours drive from Paro across the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Thimphu Chhu to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan.  En-route to Thimphu view the Simtokha Dzong (currently under renovation), the oldest Dzong in the country built in 1627. We will settle into our centrally located hotel. After lunch and good rest, we take care of the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu.  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.  Check in at Hotel Druk in Thimphu.

Day 4 – Explore Thimphu valley, Wednesday, 3 May 2006
After breakfast, we visit the weekly vegetable market, where people from outlying villages come to sell vegetables and exotic fruits. You will also find all kinds of goods that the Bhutanese use at home including wonderful textiles. From the weekly vegetable market, we take you to the institute of performing arts complex to witness a special performance of religious dances performed at annual festivals in different parts of the country. After lunch, we wonder around the Thimphu Town. Overnight at Hotel Druk.

Day 5 – Thimphu to Trongsa, Thursday 4 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land Cruiser
Driving Distance    :      200 kms
Driving Time        :      6-7 hrs
Altitude            :      2200m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    21.0         Minimum     11.6
Trongsa is in Central Bhutan

About 7 hrs drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and  constantly changing vegetation           

We begin today with an hours drive to the Do Chula pass (10000 ft), through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass have the panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks.   Continue to Wangdi Phodrang and view the Dzong perched some 100m above the wangchhu. Lunch is served at Wangdi Phodrang.  Carry on the drive after lunch through different vegetation with beautiful magnolia and rhododendron forest finally crossing the Pelela pass 11,121ft. Continue the drive onward to Trongsa arrival late afternoon. Here we halt for the night at Yangkhil Resort.

Day 6 - Trongsa to Bumthang, Friday 5 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land cruiser
Driving Distance    :      68 kms
Driving Time        :      3 hrs
Altitude            :      2800m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    21.3         Minimum     9.5
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. After lunch, drive for around three hours to Jakar, the center of the Bumthang valley.  From Tongsa the road climbs quickly to Yuto-la pass (11,155ft), the scenery changes to fir-covered slopes, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. We then enter the wide Chumme 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 our comfortable Bhutanese lodge.

Day 7 – Jakar/Bumthang valley tour, Saturday 6 May 2006
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 Rinpoche, 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 Rinpoche by the Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo.  A little further to the north we have Kurjey Lhakhang, a temple, built around the cave where Guru Rinpoche 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 Tamshing Lodge.

Day 8 – Bumthang URA Tshechu, Sunday 7 May 2006
From Tang it is 50 kms (32 miles) across a pass to the Ura valley, the last and highest of the Bumthang valleys.  The road descends into Ura by long loops across fields and pastures.  Villages in the region of Ura characteristically have very closely clustered houses, which is unusual in Bhutan.
"The Festival in Bumthang (Ura Tshechu) is about an old woman who was sitting outside her house and she had a mysterious visitor, a lama who asked her for a glass of water to drink. When she came out of her house with water in her hand the Lama was not there and he had left a bag. Out of curiosity, she checked The bag left behind by the Lama. There was a Statue (Relic). This relic has been passed on from generation to Generation and now this Old
woman's descendants own it. So every year, the organize a Festival or Tshechu and this Statue or Relic is displayed." Come together with our people from different locations across the country to involve yourself with hundreds of high-spirited local onlookers dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry to pay respect and to be blessed at the "Tshechu." social gathering.  Here we can truly appreciate the essence of Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture. It is a rare privilege bestowed to only a limited number of visitors each year. Camp at the Ura Village or possibly a farm house stay in one of the houses at Ura.

Day 9 - Ura to Mongar (Central to East) Monday, 8 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land cruiser
Driving Distance    :      141 kms
Driving Time        :      4-5 hrs
Altitude            :      1700m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    25.1         Minimum     17.4
Mongar is in Eastern Bhutan

Until Lunch at Ura’s 2nd day of their popular Tshechu.  After lunch, beginning of your journey to the East is one of the most beautiful. Out of Ura, the highway climbs steeply to Thrumshing La (the second highest pass, 3,800m-12,465ft.) along the West to East highway. The descent from Thrumshing La to Lingmithang is amazing for a number of reasons. The road drops from 3,800 meters to 650 meters in only a few hours passing from pine forest through semi-tropical forest to orange groves. Arriving at Mongar marks the beginning of your eastern Bhutan experience. Many towns in eastern Bhutan are built on the sides of the hills which contrast to the west where they develop on the valley floor. Mongar Dzong was built in 1953 (original Shongar Dzong was destroyed by fire) on the orders of the Third King, Jigme Dorje Wangchuck. Overnight at Mongar gust house.

Day 10 - Mongar to Trashigang, Tuesday 9 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land cruiser
Driving Distance    :      96 kms
Driving Time        :      3-4 hrs
Altitude            :      1150m
Average Temperature: figures in centigrade
Maximum    30.0         Minimum     20.6
Trashigang is in Eastern Bhutan

Pay a visit to the Mongar Dzong.   Begin your trip to Trashigang, passing through several villages. In the afternoon, you can visit Trashigang Dzong and stroll through the town, absorbing the culture of eastern Bhutan. Overnight in Trashigang.

Day 11 – Trashigang to Tashiyangtse, Wednesday, 10 May 2006
Tashiyangtse is a small town rich in Bhutanese arts and legend. On the drive to Tashiyangtse you pass the small town of Duksum located on the Drangme Chhu and its tributary. It is a few kilometers past Gom Kora A large boulder sits in the garden of Gom Kora (Gom Kora) Temple and its is said that if anyone can climb below the rock and emerge from its summit, he will be forgiven of his sins. Duksum i s nothing fancy but it is a small weaver's town where you can find a fair amount of weavers producing some very nice work. The landmark of the town is an original iron chain suspension bridge built by Tong Gyalpo or Lama Hazampa (Lama Iron-bridge) in the 1600's. Duksum is the main supply town for all the high mountain villages that surround it.

Each Spring Chorten Kora is the sight of one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan. Although quite remote the Chorten Kora Tshechu attracts people from all parts of the country

Day - 12 Trashigang to Mongar, Thursday 11 May 2006

In the morning you can visit the Sherubtse College in Kanglung and the weaving center in Khaling.  Continue your journey to Mongar.  Overnight at Mongar.
Day 13 -Mongar to Bumthang, Friday 12 May 2006

After breakfast we take our return journey, back the same way from Mongar to Bumthang
Day 14 – Bumthang to Phobjikha (Gangtey Gompa) Saturday 13 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land cruiser
Driving Distance    :      196 kms
Driving Time        :      6-7 hrs
Altitude            :      3000m
Phobjikha valley is in Western Bhutan
Today, after breakfast, we will hit the road back for Tongsa.  Stop for lunch in Tongsa and continue on to Phobjikha valley at 3,000 m in the Black Mountains. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and is the home to the very rare black necked crane.  The birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan to winter here (from November -March). Visit Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries that look like a small Dzong. Beyond the Monastery is the village of Phobjikha, a wide, flat valley. Here we settle into a traditional Bhutanese house that has been converted to a rustic guesthouse.
Day 15 – Gangtey Gompa to Wangdi and Punakha, Sunday 14 May 2006

Mode of Transport :      Toyota Land cruiser
Driving Distance    :      67 kms
Driving Time        :      3 hrs
Altitude            :      1350m
Punakha valley is in Western Bhutan
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we l have an opportunity to visit the courtyard of the beautiful Gangtey monastery.  Continue on to Wangdi Phodrang, where we will have our lunch. We then drive over to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of two (male) and Mo (female) Rivers, in 1637 was damaged and restored several times.  We will spend the night in Zangdopelri hotel.

Day 16 – Hike to Chorten Nebu a 16th century temple in Punakha, Monday 15 May 2006
 
40 minutes shuttle to Kabjisa trail head and 3 hours hike will reach you to Chorten Nebu.  It is a beautiful walk to a lovely village surrounded by orange groves to a temple, which dates back to the time of 'The Divine Madman' Drukpa Kunley. Visit the temple and make our offerings.  See the tree outside in the courtyard, which is supposed to have sprouted up after Drukpa Kunley sent a thunderbolt from an adjoining valley. Hike back on a different trail through rice fields to the road head.  Halt for the night at Zangdopelri hotel.

Day 17 – Punakha to Thimphu, Tuesday 16 May 2006
Three hours drive from Punakha to Thimphu.  En-route 25 minute walks to Chime Lhakhang, a beautiful fertility monastery, and learn about the famous saint known as Drukpa Kunley the “divine madman.”  The Chime Lhakhang was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa Hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.  Continue our drive back to Dochu-la pass where we stop for lunch and circumambulate at leisure, the marvelous sputa clockwise. You will spend the evening on your own; explore interesting shops nearby your hotel.

Day 18 – Thimphu to Paro, Wednesday 17 May 2006
2 hours early morning drive back to Paro. Day excursions to Haa valley via chelela pass

One and half hours drive to Chelela pass at 3988m en route to Haa.  From the pass you will have panoramic views of the two valleys of Paro & Haa and of course, the beautiful Himalayan ranges of Bhutan.  You will have the most scenic view of Mt. Jomolhari; Haa Valley is situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Extraordinarily beautiful Haa Valley is newly opened to Tourists.  With its three prominent hills representing the three guardian deities, this valley is said to have been named by Guru Padmasambava himself—HAA means "mystical”.   Stay overnight at Hotel Olathang.

Day 19 – Departure, Thursday 18 May 2006