Dharma Path to Bhutan. (Including Thimphu festival)
Dharma Path to Bhutan (Including the renowned Thimphu Tshechu)
Depending on your preference, this trip can be organized either as a eight or fourteen days tour. This trip is essentially timed with the Thimphu Tshechu (festival). Since the Tsechu is a time when Bhutanese wear their best attires and jewelleries to attend the colourful festival, it is also a great opportunity for tourists to appreciate Bhutan at it’s colourful best. Besides, it’s autumn and an excellent time to travel in Bhutan. (The trip is organised from Bangkok-Bhutan-Bangkok).
Day 1: Arrive Bhutan and drive to Thimphu
The flight into Bhutan will take you over the vast plains of the Indian subcontinent and then over the dense green vegetation of the Kingdom’s sub Himalayan ranges. You will get breathtaking views of the worlds highest and most majestic peaks as the plane approaches the Dragon Kingdom’s cloud scrapping airstrip at the Paro International airport at an altitude of 7330 ft.
Moments before the landing you can catch glimpses of the fertile valley of Paro and the winding Paro Chu (river) and the historical Rimpung Dzong (fortress) more popularly known as Paro Dzong. As you step out of the aircraft, you can catch your first breath of the fresh crisp Himalayan air.
Our representative will be there to receive you after you have completed the necessary immigration and visa formalities. From here, we will straight away drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive from Paro to Thimphu is beautiful. The first part of the journey will follow the Paro river and provide plenty of photo opportunities. After about half an hour's drive you will reach the confluence of two rivers, one flowig from Thimphu and the other from Paro. From the confluence we will follow the Thimphu river for another hour. As you enter into Thimphu you will see the traffic being controlled by traffic men as there are no traffic lights in the Kingdom. If time permits, we will visit the Thimphu Memorial Stupa, a beautiful landmark built in memory of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight Thimphu.
Day 2, 3 and 4: Attend the festival
A booklet containing detailed program for the three days will be provided to all the group members. The Tshechu is a festival in honour of Padmasambhava (one born from the lotus flower) and popularly known as “Guru Rimpochey” the precious teacher.
During the Tshechu, the dances are performed by the monks as well as by the laymen. The Tshechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed that one gains merit. It is also a yearly social event where family members and friends gather to rejoice.
Thimphu festival was established by the 4th temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgay (1638-1696) in the year 1670, in the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar, to commemorate the birth of Guru Rimpochey.
While in Thimphu, if the group so prefers, we could organize a full day excursion to Phajoding or side trips to local monasteries and temples.
Day 5: Drive to Punakha
Today we will start early for Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. The journey will take about three hours. It will take you across the Dochula Pass (3050M) with a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayas. The pass is also marked by 108 stupas dedicated to world peace by Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. The descent will take us through sub tropical vegetation and into Punakha. After checkin and lunch, we will visit the Punakha Dzong and Khamsumyelung Temple. The hike to Khamsumyelung will take about 45 minutes. Here you will see some of the finest work of Bhutanese art.
The Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, was once the old capital of Bhutan and is today the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong occupies an important place in the history of monarchy in Bhutan as the first King of Bhutan, King Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. The Dzong also houses Bhutan's most sacred relic, the Ranjung Kharsapani (the self created image of Avolokitesvara). The inner-most sanctum of the temple houses the Marchen Lhakhang, containing the embalmed body of the Shabdrung, the first secular leader of Bhutan. Today the Dzong also serves as the headquarter to the District Administration. Overnight at Punakha.
In the evening, the group can indulge in traditional hot stone water bath for experience. It can be arranged upon request with the hotel management on payment basis.
Day 6: Punakha-Paro (for those opting for the eight days tour)
Today we will drive through Thimphu, en route to Paro, and stop for lunch at the Swiss Bakery. On arrival in Paro, if time permits, you can go for a promenade through Paro Town. Overnight Paro.
Day 7: Local sightseeing in Paro
The day begins with a drive through Paro valley to see the Drukgyel Dzong, a historical Dzong for the Bhutanese. This was the place where the last of the Tibetan invaders were repelled, hence the name “Drukgyel Dzong” meaning the “Fortress of the victorious Drukpas”.
On a clear day one can see the 24000 ft domed majestic Jumolhari in the background of the fortress, blessing the Paro valley. It is believed that the goddess Jumo resides on this sacred mountain.
On the way to Drukgyel Dzong, you will be able to see the Kichu Lhakang, which was built in 659 (7th century) by the Tibetan King Tshongtsen Gampo. It is believed he built 108 temples across the Himalayas and Kichu happens to be one of the last remaining ones. Further up the valley you will see the majestic Taktsang (Tigers Lair), clinging onto bare rock face.
After lunch visit the National Museum, located in the Ta Dzong (old watch tower for the Paro Dzong), originally built in 1656. This is the only museum in Paro and has the country's best collection of ancient Thankas (religious wall hangings), religious paintings and artefacts, fine textiles, weapons and stamps. It also houses the unique temple of the tree of life, representing the four different sects of Buddhism, as practised in the country. Overnight Paro.
Day 8: Departure
Our guide will help you with the departure formalities at the airport and bid you good bye with traditional Tashi Khadhar.
Tashi Delek and Bon Voyage
Day 6: Punakha-Wandgue-Trongsa(for those opting for the fourteen days tour)
Today’s drive will take around six hours to reach our destination and we will be on the road to central Bhutan. The first half hour of the drive will bring us to the town of Wangdue Phodrang. The Dzong here was built in 1638 by the great Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel who unified the country under one rule in the 17th century. After passing through Wangdue Phodrang, we will gradually climb up to the Pela-la pass, at an elevation of 3400M. After crossing the pass, we will gradually drive down into the valley and stop for our picnic lunch nearby a beautiful stupa built in the 17th century by one of the Siddhas. After lunch we will drive for about two and half hours to reach our destination. The magnificient Trongsa Dzong can be seen from a distance as we continue on the narrow, meandering road. Overnight Trongsa.
Day 7: Trongsa to Bumthang
We will drive from Trongsa to Bumthang – one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. The drive will take us around three hours, through Yotongla and Kikila passes and beautiful valleys filled with rural farmsteads and temples.
Day 8: Local sightseeing in Bumthang
Full Day sightseeing in Bumthang the land of temples and holy sites. Today we will hike to Kurjay, Jambay, Tamshing and Kunchosum to feel and experience the ancient culture and traditions of Bhutan.
Day 9: Local sightseeing in Bumthang
Full day excursion to Ura. On the way to Ura, we will visit the holy Membar Tsho (literally meaning the burning lake), a deep gorge, from where the great treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa discovered many hidden treasures(relics). In the Ura valley we will visit the Guru Lhakhang and a typical Bhutanese farm house. Overnight Bumthang.
Day 10: Bumthang to Gangtey
We will start our journey back to West Bhutan and enroute we will drive to Gangtey valley. Visit the Gangtey monastery, built by Pema Thinley, the lineage holder of the great treasure discoverer, Pema Lingpa. The valley is also home to the endangered Black Necked Cranes that come to stay in Bhutan for five to six months, to escape the harsh winter of the Tibetan plateau. In order to protect the habitat of the crane, the government has intorduced stringent measures, like prohibitions on the use of barbed wires, over head cables, etc.
Day 11: Gangtey to Paro
Drive through Thimphu, en route to Paro. Have lunch at the Swiss Bakery. After lunch, if the group so wishes we can visit some handicraft shops to buy Bhutanese souvenirs and thereafter continue journey to Paro. Overnight Paro.
Day 12: Paro local sightseeing
The day begins with a drive through Paro valley to see the Drukgyel Dzong, a historical Dzong for the Bhutanese. This was the place where the last of the Tibetan invaders were repelled, hence the name “Drukgyel Dzong” meaning the “Fortress of the victorious Drukpas”.
On a clear day one can see the 24000 ft domed majestic Jumolhari in the background of the fortress, blessing the Paro valley. It is believed that the goddess Jumo resides on this sacred mountain.
On the way to Drukgyel Dzong, you will be able to see the Kichu Lhakhang, which was built in 659 (7th century) by the Tibetan King Tshongtsen Gampo. It is believed he built 108 temples across the Himalayas and Kichu happens to be one of the last remaining ones. Further up the valley you will see the majestic Taktsang (Tigers Lair), clinging onto bare rock face.
After lunch visit the National Museum, located in the Ta Dzong (old watch tower for the Paro Dzong), originally built in 1656. This is the only museum in Paro and has the country's best collection of ancient Thankas (religious wall hangings), religious paintings and artefacts, fine textiles, weapons and stamps. It also houses the unique temple of the tree of life, representing the four different sects of Buddhism, as practised in the country. If time permits, we can go for a promenade through Paro Town. Overnight at Paro.
Day 13: Full day Excursion to Taktsang “Tiger’s Lair”
Drive through Paro Town to Satsam Chorten and continue on the new feeder road leading towards Taktsang. If some of the group members are interested, riding ponies can be arranged. Generally, most people prefer to hike. It takes about two and half hours to reach the Taktsang view point. The view of the surrounding mountains and the valley below is just awesome. We stop at the Taktsang view point for tea and snacks and enjoy the view of the Tigers Lair. Special visit permits can be arranged if notified in advance. Following the visit, lunch will be served at the Taktsang cafeteria. After lunch we will descend down to the valley and if time permits, you will be on your own for the rest of the evening. Overnight at Paro.
Day 14: Departure
Our guide will help you with the departure formalities at the airport and bid you goodbye with traditional Tashi Khadhar.
Tashi Delek and Bon Voyage
