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Name of Tour: Treasures of Bhutan Cultural Tour
Number of Days: 09
Period: All Year Round
Cost: 1person US$ 2000, 2-3 persons US$ 1840, 4-15 persons US$ 1600(Cost based on per head))
Click here to know what is Included in this cost and what is not?
Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can tailor an itinerary to suit your requirements and interests. Please Contact Us to design the exact itinerary you desire!
Detailed Itinerary
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning "Heap of Jewels") , the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Evening drive to Thimphu you pass the striking Tacho Gompa founded by the Tibetan saint, you will reach to Chuzom marks by the confluence of Paro Chu(river) and the Wang chu. Opposite you, at the confluence, are three protecting chortens each built in a different style. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted,"..a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight Hotel in Punakha.
After lunch visit Ta Dzong preached above the Trongsa Dzong this is watchtower which once stood guard the Trongsa Dzong. Now was restored from ground up and this is museum presenting the rich historical and religious heritage of Trongsa Dzong. Continue drive about 3hours to Bumthang passing Yotongla pass (3425 meters). Here we get our first glimpse of the Black mountains. High Himalayan Mountains such as Jumolhari are in view amidst hundreds of prayers flags; blessings abound. Then you’ll journey proceed continue through the lush valley and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) handloom, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
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Name of Tour: Treasures of Bhutan Cultural Tour
Number of Days: 09
Period: All Year Round
Cost: 1person US$ 2000, 2-3 persons US$ 1840, 4-15 persons US$ 1600(Cost based on per head))
Click here to know what is Included in this cost and what is not?
Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can tailor an itinerary to suit your requirements and interests. Please Contact Us to design the exact itinerary you desire!
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive at Paro
Your Guide from Yeoong Travel will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel. After Tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Overnight Hotel in Paro.Day 02:Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast 20 minutes drive takes you to Satsam Chorten. From the road point the hike up to Taktshang, on a well maintained path, is quite uphill and it takes around 3-4 hours at an average walking speed. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang cafeteria. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his consort.After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning "Heap of Jewels") , the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Evening drive to Thimphu you pass the striking Tacho Gompa founded by the Tibetan saint, you will reach to Chuzom marks by the confluence of Paro Chu(river) and the Wang chu. Opposite you, at the confluence, are three protecting chortens each built in a different style. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: In Thimphu
After breakfast, visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan ). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu . Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.Day 04: Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, 3 hours drive to Punakha with a stop en-route for tea at Dochula (3116meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular view of the Himalayan mountain range can be seen. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens – a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen. You will continue downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock, arriving at Punakha, which is serve as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River), you will drive through the rice fields along the banks of the Puna Tshang Chu (two rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu after joining together). On the way, stop a while to visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his "Magical Thunder bolt". The Temple is also known as "The Temple of Fertility".After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted,"..a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight Hotel in Punakha.
Day 05: Punakha to Trongsa
After breakfast 30 minutes drive to north of Punakha pass by the Punakha Dzong which stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers- Pho Chu and Mo chu and you will hike 30minutes to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten built by the third Queen, this chorten is a splendid example of fine Bhutanses architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. Way back you will visit Punakha Dzong, after lunch drive about 4 ½ hours to Trongsa passing over Pele La (3390 meters), Trongsa forms the central hub of the kingdom and is historically the place from where attempts at the unifying the country were launched. As you continue onwards you can view the incredible massive Trongsa Dzong, an architectural Wonder! Trongsa medieval watch tower and the great Mangde Chu (river) enhance Trongsa dzong in its exceptional beauty and grandeur. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.Day 06: Trongsa to Bumthang
Morning 28 kilometer drive to Kuenga Rabten, visit the winter palace of the second monarch King, this building is now use as National Library; large nunnery; and Yuruing Choling, the first king’s winter palace.After lunch visit Ta Dzong preached above the Trongsa Dzong this is watchtower which once stood guard the Trongsa Dzong. Now was restored from ground up and this is museum presenting the rich historical and religious heritage of Trongsa Dzong. Continue drive about 3hours to Bumthang passing Yotongla pass (3425 meters). Here we get our first glimpse of the Black mountains. High Himalayan Mountains such as Jumolhari are in view amidst hundreds of prayers flags; blessings abound. Then you’ll journey proceed continue through the lush valley and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) handloom, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 07: In Bumthang
Today’s sightseeing in Bumthang includes Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in the Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kujey Lhakhang, one of the most scared places, because Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. From there you can hike 30minutes to Tamshing Lhakhang lies on the other side of the river opposite the Kurje Lhakhang. It was built by Terton Pemalingpa (treasures discover) the ancestors of Royal Family; Kenchosum Lhakhang; and Mebar Tsho (Lake of Burning Fire), this is a sacred lake for the Bhutanese who believe that Pema Lingpa discovered religious treasures from the lake. In the evening you can stroll in Bumthang town and visit shops. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.Day 08: Bumthang to Thimphu
Early breakfast, lunch at Chenbebji, you will see the spectacular Chendebji chorten on the bank of the Nikkar Chu(river). It was built in the eighteenth century by Lama Shida of Tibet to suppress a demon who had been troubling the inhabitants of the valley. Overnight hotel in Hotel.Day 09: Thimphu – Paro
Early Morning, drive to the airport for departure.Back to previous page