7 Day Cultural Tour
Proposed Itinerary:
Day One: Arrive at Paro (Approximately 2,300 Meters)
We will fly from Bangkok to Paro, on Druk Air, the official government airline and only airline that flies into Bhutan. During this flight you will be able to see breath-taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchanjunga, and most of the high Himalayan Mountains in Nepal and Bhutan.
Upon reaching the airport, you will be assisted through the formalities at the customs desk. Here you will need to have two passport photographs available. Transportation will be provided to town for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we will visit the Rimpung Dzong, a 7th century fortress, that now houses the religious community and as well as the office of the governor (Dzongda) and the district court. This Dzong had been damaged by an earthquake in 1897 and a massive fire in 1905. If time permits, we will take a stroll through the town before dinner and then retire to the hotel for the night.
Day Two: Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Excursion
We will have an early breakfast before driving for approximately one hour to the beginning of our hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The Taktsang Monastery is built on a high hanging cliff that drops approximately 1,000 meters and was constructed in the late 17th century over a cave that was used as the meditation place by Guru Rimpochhe. Guru Rimpochhe is responsible for converting the valley into Buddhism in the 8th century. Local people and monks come to live in thismonastery for retreat while others travel here to make their day to dayoffering of prayers and worship. It is one of the most religious pilgrim sites in the Buddhist history. This hike will take approximately 2 hours.
After our visit to the Tiger’s Nest, we will stop for lunch and a rest at a local restaurant that provides a beautiful view of the Taktsang Monastery. After lunch we will drive to the Drugyel Dzong ruin.The Drugyel Dzong is an example of another Dzong that had been destroyed by a massive fire and is now in ruins. In a 1914 issue of the National Geographic Magazine, the Drugyel Dzong was shown in all its glory. This was the first time Bhutan spread in the western news, and this article is credited with the Dzong style building that later arose as the University of Texas in El Paso.
If time permits, we will also visit the Guru Temple, which was built by Guru Khentse, who was one of the highest teachers in Buddhism; and Kychu, one of the oldest temples that was built even before the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Dinner will be in Paro.
Day Three: Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast, we will drive approximately an hour and a half to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On this drive, we will pass Chhudzom - confluence of the Thimphu River known as the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pa Chhu (Father River) from Paro. We will drive onward along the Mo Chhuto Thimphu where we will visit the national library. This library contains manuscripts of Buddha’s teachings, as well as other manuscriptsthat date back to the 16th century.
From the library we will visit the Traditional Medicine Hospital, where they practice the tradition of natural healing with plants, minerals and acupuncture.
After our lunch, we will tour an art school, where we will be able to visit with the students, observe their classes, and purchase their handiwork. We will also visit the local nunnery, the Tashichhodzong (Government and Religious fortress), and the national animal zoo where we will see the rare Bhutan national animal – the Takin.
Day Four: Thimphu to Punakha
We will then continue our journey to Punakha – approximately 3 hour drive. This drive will take us over the Dochula pass (approximately 3,000 meters). On a clear day you can view the most eastern parts of the Himalayan ranges including Ganger Phensum (7,600meters), one of the highest in Bhutan and the only mountain in the entire Himalayan range that has never been climbed. We will have a packed lunch so that we can picnic along the beautiful drive to the Punakha Valley.
Upon arrival in Punakha, we will take a short walk through the fields to visit the 15th Century Temple of the Divine Madman – Chhimi Lhakhang Temple – for fertility blessings. After our blessings we will drive a short distance to the newly renovated Punakha Dzong. This is the winter residents of the religious school of Bhutan.
We will have dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day Five: Phurba’s Village
This morning after breakfast, we will drive approximately 40 minutes to Nobgang village. Here we will visit the Nobgang Temple, and then walk through the village and on down to Phurba’s own village and home. This will be a leisure afternoon of hot stone baths and relaxation around thefarm house.
We will have dinner prepared by Phurba’s mother in the traditional manner and overnight in tents and the farm house. Bring your flashlights.
Day Six: Return to Punakha
After breakfast at the farm house and good byes to Phurba’s family and neighbors, we will walk back to our transportation and drive on through Thimphu to Paro. We will lunch at the Duchala Pass and then return to our hotel in Paro for dinner.
Day Seven: Departure Day
This morning, after an early breakfast, we will board Druk Air for our return trips home.
12 Day Cultural Tour
Proposed Itinerary:
Day One: Arrive at Paro (Approximately 2,300 Meters)
We will fly from Bangkok to Paro, on Druk Air, the official government airline and only airline that flies into Bhutan. During this flight you will be able to see breath-taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchanjunga, and most of the highHimalayan Mountains in Nepal and Bhutan.
Upon reaching the airport, you will be assisted through the formalities at the customs desk. Here you will need to have two passport photographs available. Transportation will be provided to town for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we will visit the Rimpung Dzong, a 7th century fortress, that nowhouses the religious community and as well as the office of the governor (Dzongda) and the district court. This Dzong had been damaged by an earthquake in 1897 and a massive fire in 1905. If time permits, wewill take a stroll through the town before dinner and then retire to the hotel for the night.
Day Two: Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Excursion
We will have an early breakfast before driving for approximately one hour to the beginning of our hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The Taktsang Monastery is built on a high hanging cliff that drops approximately 1,000 meters and was constructed in the late 17th century over a cave that was used as the meditation place by Guru Rimpochhe. Guru Rimpochhe is responsible for converting the valley into Buddhism in the 8th century. Local people and monks come to live in thismonastery for retreat while others travel here to make their day to dayoffering ofprayers and worship. It is one of the most religious pilgrim sites in the Buddhist history. This hike will take approximately 2 hours.
After our visit to the Tiger’s Nest, we will stop for lunch and a rest at a local restaurant that provides a beautiful view of the Taktsang Monastery. After lunch we will drive to the Drugyel Dzong ruin.The Drugyel Dzong is an example of another Dzong that had been destroyed by amassive fire and is now in ruins. In a 1914 issue of the National Geographic Magazine, the Drugyel Dzong was shown in all its glory. This was the first time Bhutan spread in the western news, and this article is credited with the Dzong style building that later arose as the University of Texas in El Paso.
If time permits, we will also visit the Guru Temple, which was built by Guru Khentse, who was one of the highest teachers in Buddhism; and Kychu, one of the oldest temples that was built even before the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Dinner will be in Paro.
Day Three: Paro to Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, we will drive approximately an hour and a half to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On this drive, we will pass Chhudzom - confluence of the Thimphu River known as the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pa Chhu (Father River) from Paro. We will drive onward along the Mo Chhuto Thimphu where we will visit the national library. This library contains manuscripts of Buddha’s teachings, as well as other manuscriptsthat date back to the 16th century.
From the library we will visit the Traditional Medicine Hospital, where they practice the tradition of natural healing with plants, minerals and acupuncture.
After our lunch, we will tour an art school, where we will be able to visit with the students, observe their classes, and purchase their handiwork.
We will then continue our journey to Punakha – approximately 3 hour drive. This drive will take us over the Dochula pass (approximately 3,000 meters). On a clear day you can view the most eastern parts of the Himalayan ranges including Ganger Phensum (7,600meters), one of the highest in Bhutan and the only mountain in the entire Himalayan range that has never been climbed.
We will have dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day Four: Phurba’s Village
This morning after breakfast, we will drive approximately 40 minutes to Nobgang village. Here we will visit the Nobgang Temple, and then walk through the village and on down to Phurba’s own village and home. This will be a leisure afternoon of hot stone baths and relaxation around the farm house.
We will have dinner prepared by Phurba’s mother in the traditional manner and overnight in tents and the farm house. Bring your flashlights.
Day Five: Return to Punakha
After breakfast at the farm house and good byes to Phurba’s family and neighbors, we will walk back to our transportation and on to the town of Punakha to visit the Punakha Dzong and the Temple of the Divine Madman, or the Temple of Fertility.
Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Punakha.
Day Six: Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast we will head out for a long but very scenic drive from Punakha to Bumathang – approximately 8 hours. On this drive we will pass through many villages and high passes (up to 3,550 meters) with spectacular views of high snowcapped mountains. We may even get to see some wildlife along the way.
We will stop for photo opportunities and we will also visit the Tongsa Dzong, one of the largest Dzongs in Bhutan, where the three kings ruled the country from this location until 1955.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Bumthang.
Day Seven: Bumthang
After breakfast we will spend the day touring the Bumthang Valley. Bumthang was the very first valley that was converted to Buddhism in Bhutan. It is a broad valley, with low hills and blue pines and many tourists compare it to Switzerland. There are some Swiss that have married locals and now run small farms where they raise cattle and even sell Swiss cheese.
Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Bumthang.
Day Eight: Day Hikes in Bumthang
After breakfast we will take a 2 hour hike to Kunzangdrak Gompa (3,700 meters). Pema Lingpa, the treasure reveler, built this monastery in 1488 and many of his sacred relics are kept here, including a gilded stone that bears his footprints. We will also visit the Member Tso (burning lake) where Pema Ligpa discovered many of these relics.
If time permits we will take an hour and a half drive to Ura Valley (3,100 meters). This small village of 40 or so closely packed houses along a cobblestone street gives this village a medieval atmosphere. We will visit a local temple here as well as the school.
Dinner and overnight in Bumthang
Day Nine: Bumthang to Punakha Via Gangtey Gompa
After breakfast we will begin our journey back to Punakha, via Gangtey Gompa. The Gangtey Gompa valley is home to the endangered black necked cranes that migrate to Bhutan in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. This unique area caters to these birds as no electricity is allowed in or around the preserve.
While in Gangtey Gompa, we will also visit the Ningma Monastery.
We will stop for lunch along our way and have dinner and overnight in Punakha.
Day Ten: Punakha to Thimphu
After breakfast we will make our return drive to Thimphu where we will visit the Tashichhodzong, the capital building of Bhutan.
We will have time for leisure strolls in town and local shopping.
Lunch, dinner, and overnight in Thimphu.
Day Eleven: Thimphu to Paro
After breakfast we will make a visit to see the Takin of Bhutan. Takin are the national animal of Bhutan and look like a combination of many animals that are found in the U.S.
After lunch in Thimphu we will leave for our final drive back to Paro.
Dinner and overnight in Paro.
Day Twelve: Paro to Bangkok
This morning, after an early breakfast, we will board Druk Air for our return to Bangkok.