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Day 1: ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PARO
In the journey, one can experience a spectacular view of
Mt. Everest and other Himalayan Mountains including the
sacred Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On
arrival at Paro International Airport you will be
received by Bhutanese friends from Makalu Adventure.
Lunch at the hotel. Then discuss about Tour Programme
with the Tour Guide. After noon sight seeing. Overnight:
Hotel in Paro.
Day
2: PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY
Drive about 10 km from Paro town (Satsam Chorten) from
there walk up to Taktsang Monastery ("tiger's Nest). The
Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of
nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the
river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th
century, Guru Padam Sambhaya is known as the second
Buddha in Bhutan meditation on this spot where the
Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back
of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taksang
cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hr. After lunch:
Visit Druhyal Dzong (a ruined forester), 16 kilometer
away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin but
this Dzong has its own historical importance for the
people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese
finally defeated the Tibet invasion and drove them back.
In a clear day person can see Mt. Jhomolhari (Mountain
of Goddess) - its altitude is 7,329m. Also visit the
Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple) which was built
in 659AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet, which is
one of his 108, such monasteries over various places to
spread Buddhism. It exists in between the Paro town and
Drugyal Dzong. It is also one of the holiest places in
the country, which marks as a Buddhist country.
After visit National Museum which is used to be a watch
tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress) and was
converted in museum 1968. Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong, the
Dzong was built in 1646AD; you can see a traditional
bridge of ancient style within some walk down the town.
Overnight: Hotel inThimphu.
Day 3: THIMPHU – SIGHT SEEING
After breakfast: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a great
stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who
reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit mini Zoo in
which national animals were kept and drive to Sangeygang
where you can have a spectacular view of Thimpu valley.
Visit the wood craft and painting schools where
traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through
the structure of painting and curving also Visit the
Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other
arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Also
Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are
preserved. Visit Tashi Nancha Folk studio, the
traditional folk and dances are learned and practice.
Early lunch in hotel in Thimpu. After lunch, drive
towards Dodena. Trek along Thimphu Chu inside Jigme
Dorii Wangchuck Park.
Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: THIMPHU – PHUNAKHA
Drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3150m). On the
way you can take photo at Dochula Pass which is 26km
away from Thimpu valley. Take tea and snacks and to
enjoy the most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan
snow capped Mountains and also the great view of Gasa
Dzong at a distance (if weather is clear). Kochula is a
home to 16 species of Bhutanese Rhododendrons. It is
also harbors different species of Primula, Lauraceae
such as Littsea, Cinnamomum, Neolitsea etc.Oaks,
Virburnaum, Magnolia, Daphne, Arisasema spp. Gentian,
Himalayan Acer, and many others. Recently, on the pass
of Dochula, 108 small chortens were erected which add
beauty to the natural setting of the area. Then trek
downwards, 30-40 minutes following the old route to have
better idea of natural forest which continues through
varying scenes of greenery all the way to Punakha. Visit
Punkha town. The Punakha Dzong lies between two great
rivers Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River) with
the wonderful views of Punakha Dzong. The Dzong serves
as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot
of the Central Monastic Body and the office of the
district Administration. Overnight: Hotel in Punakha.
Day 5: PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING
Drive to Tashithang, a part of Jigme Dorii Wangchuck
National Park, the largest park in Bhutan. Tashithang is
situated in warm subtropical zone and vegetation is
mainly of subtropical. Different epiphytic orchids such
as Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne,
Lipares, Pleione etc. as well as ground orchids such as
Englegerdia, Goodyera, Cephalanthera, etc. are also
found there. Wild Bananas (Musa) also thrives their.
Tree species are Engleherdia, Taulum, Magnolia,
Symploccus, Litsea, Cinnamomum, Rubus ssp. Overnight:
Hotel in Punakha.
Day 6: PUNAKHA – GANTEY VALLEY
After breakfast drive to Gangtey valley. About 20
minutes walk you will find the famous Chhimi Lhakhang
where Devine Madman meditated in 14th century which is
also known as "Temple of Fertility", It is strongly
believed that any couple who do not have any children
after long years of marriage goes there and pray and
next month the women gets conceived. Then drive to warm
valley of Wangdiphodrang towards Gantey Gonpa. Lunch at
Wangue Phodrang. On the way drive through part of Pele
La (commonly known as Black Mountain) pass that
separates western Bhutan from Eastern. During the drive,
you can see different species of Rhododendrons, Legumes,
Magnolia, weeping Cypress (national tree of Bhutan) etc.
Overnight: Hotel in Phobiikha Valley.
Day 7:
GANGTEY VALLEY – BUMTHANG
Drive to Bumthang valley (200km), about 6 hours through
Pelela Pass which ascends up to 3340m. You can see
wonderful views of Himalayan Mountain and the Pass
separates the western from the other regions of the
country. The journey will be through thick dwarf bamboo
(grows in higher altitude), a winter place for Yak, and
through thick Rhododendrons forest with beautiful colors
of red, white and yellow. Lunch in Chendebii. After
lunch, drive to Trongsa. On the way view the spectacular
view of Trongsa from distance and take a photo from the
view point. Visit the Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest
Dzong in the country, the ancestral home of the Royal
Family of Bhutanese. It was built by Chogyel Miniur
Tempa, the third Desi, in 1648. The Dzong is the office
of the district Administration and central monastic
body. Also visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) and stroll
through the small Trongsa town. Drive to Bumthang Valley
across the Yutla Pass. Journey takes about 3 hrs and is
one of the most scenically beautiful journeys to Bhutan;
also enjoy the hospitality of Bhutanese family in farm
house. Overnight: Hotel or family owned guest house in
Bumthang valley.
Day 8:
BUMTHANG VALLEY – URA VALLEY
Then after breakfast, drive to ura valley, one of the
most impressive village in country. On the way drive to
Mebar Tso (Burning Lake) and with several stops to see
the different species like Rhododendrons, Rubus, Acer,
Aconitum, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Clemantis, few species
of orchid such as Coelogyne, Pleione, Cephalenthera,
conifers such as fir, hemlock, pine, Juniperus, Primulas,
Androsac etc. If time permits join the local people at
the Ura monastery to witness the second day of annual
festival in the remote village. Overnight: Lodge of Camp
or Ura Village.
Day 9:
URA VALLEY – BUMTHANG
Early drive to Thriumshing La National Park, established
in 1998 which covers Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhimgang, and
districts too. In 2001, Royal Government of Bhutan
designated one of the areas close to pass as insitu-Rhododendron
garden. Thumshing La National Park is many endemic
species viz. Daphne ludlowii, Lobelia nubigena, Vanda
griffithii, Rubus sengorensis, and Pedicularis spp. It
also home to some of the fauna species such as Red
Panda, reptiles, amphibians and one can watch different
avian fauna. In the afternoon, dive back to Bumthang.
Day 10:
BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG
Drive
back to Wangdue. During the return journey stop in many
places to see what u have left out. Overnight: Hotel in
Wangdue.
Day 11:
WANGDUE PHODRANG – HAA VALLEY
After breakfast drive to Thimpu, lunch at Thimphu, then
drive to Ha valley. Haa valley was recently open for
tourist which is situated In the temperate region among
the Blue pine forest, Ha used to be very important
district in ancient times as a gateway to western
Bhutan. During the drive you will be able to see
different species of both flora and fauna. Trees such as
Populus, Altingia, Hammelidaceae, Pine, Acer, and shrubs
such as Leycesteria, Lonicera, Coriaria, Rubus.
Cotoneaster, Philadelphus, Hydrangea, and many
herbeceous species. Overnight: Hotel in Haa valley.
Day 12: HAA VALLEY – PARO VALLEY
After breakfast: Drive to Paro valley via Chele La Pass
to Paro. Chele-la (3800m) Chele-la that divides Haa
valley and Paro valleys and has been one of the
important routes in olden days for any travelers that
would visit Bhutan from Northwestern India. It has been
mentioned repeatedly in most of the writings by British
Political envoys such as George Boyle, J.C White as well
as other botanists. The account of Ludlow and Sherriff,
two naturalists who visited Bhutan seven times and
collected historical records of 21,000 Bhutanese plants
have crossed this pass during their visit in 1938.
Chele-la harbors one of the most exciting sites for
Bhutanese flora. Many special of Primulas, Rhododendron,
Iris, Betula, Lilies (such as Notholirion, Lloydia and
Fritillaria), Saxifrage, Bergenia, Aconitum, Pedicularis,
Gentians, and other grows extensively and will make any
visitor's heart a delight. Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day
13:
PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE
Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and
your Bhutanese friend from Makalu Adventure will
accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your
onward journey to back. |