Unique Bhutan Cultural Tours

UNIQUE BHUTAN
7Days Itinerary

Day1: Arrive at Paro.
Meet your guide and driver outside the terminal. Transfer to National Museum and then continue drive (1hr, 65km distance) to Thimphu, the capital city. En-route photo shoot stop at 15th century Iron Bridge below Tagcho Lhakang, the temple built in the 15th century on the same spot where he has visualized Chenrigzig in the wrathful form. (Optional) 5min walk to the ancient iron bridge believed to be handmade by Drubthob thangthong gyelpo himself. After 10mins you will arrive at the hub of road network known as Chuenzom. The place is the meeting point of where the two rivers Wangchhu and Pachhu meet before descending down the Indian plains. The colourful traditional gate welcomes those visiting Thimphu. On arrival, Check in and relax. After a short break, you will visit the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the fortress of the ‘Golden Thrones’ and the seat of the Wangchuck dynasty. The Dzong (fortress) also houses the administration office and residence of the central monk body. Overnight at Thimphu.

Day2: Full Day Sightseeing and School Visits.
Morning visit to Jigme Losar Primary School at Chubachu. Meeting with the principle and then walking around the classrooms will be a good way to interact with the students and teachers. Next stop at the Buddha Dodenma statue at Kuensel Phodrang followed by Memorial stupa, built in the memory of the late third king. The Arts and Crafts School (closed on Sunday, visiting hours 10am-2pm) is one of the oldest school of its kind in the country. Students here learn to master the art of Embroidery, Sculpture, Wood Crafts, and Painting etc. for over a minimum period of 3-6yrs during which they will also be paid stipend by the government. Most of the students here are school dropouts and from the broken family. It’s one of the school that dedicates its time and effort in preserving the age old traditions. Next, Folk Heritage Museum and Textile Museum. Self-guided walk around the city visiting the Crafts Bazaar (closed on Tuesday).
(Optional) The students and teachers would appreciate your help if you could donate used story books and stationaries to the school library here will be a useful contributions to the schools.
Evening leisure time, stroll around the city. Overnight at Thimphu.

Day3: Drive to Punakha (3hrs, 75km distance, Altitude 1350m)
Remember, to pack your luggage before coming to the breakfast. Today, we drive across the most scenic Dochula Pass (3150m/10080ft above sea level), where on a clear sky you will be able to view the entire Eastern Himalaya ranges. Take a 20min break here for photo shoot and to use the washroom. The Royal Botanical Garden at Lam Peri is a must stop place if you’re passer-by to observe many different species of Rhododendrons and many others. For more details and info watch the documentary to get some ideas on flora and fauna mostly found in the area which falls under the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck . The most common of all is the friendly Red Panda. Continue drive to Punakha. Check and relax, evening take a leisure walk to tiny markets of Metisina where farmers and local vendors selling seasonal vegetables, fruits and groceries. Overnight at Punakha.
Day4: Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Hike/ Mendheygang Village Visit.
Morning, drive north of Punakha (30mins drive) to the parking lot. From here you will hike 45mins up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. The trails follows through rice paddy fields and small farmhouse before reaching the top of the ridge where the Chorten (Stupa) is located.
White Water rafting ($200 for a group size of 2-4 person in a boat). Mo Chu offers a 10 Km course with 10 rapids of class 2 – 2+ are chosen for white water rafting. It starts from the parking lot till Khuruthang. After the confluence of these two rivers near Punakha Dzong, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu which offers even more exciting river run acknowledged mostly for its culturally stimulating and exciting rapids.
Later, visit Punakha Dzong, the winter capital of Bhutan until 1958. Even today, the Je Khenpo (Spiritual leader) head of the central monastic body reside in Punakha Dzong during the winter months and in Thimphu during the summer. After lunch, walk over the longest suspension to countryside remote village of Mendhaygang. Village visits and local interaction is part of the visits. Feel free to take pictures and if possible your will guide will also arrange visit to one of the family homes for a cup of tea or to explore the way of living of the Bhutanese family. (Optional) You may want to visit community library here and if possible donate used story books and stationaries which will be a huge contributions.
(If time permits) 30mins hike to to Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to the Saint Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529), also known the ³divine madman².
Overnight at Punakha.
Day5: Drive to Paro (135km distance, 4hrs drive)
Morning visit the Rinchengang Stone Masons Villages (20min walk) before retracing your way back to Paro. Stop-over at Weekends Market in Thimphu, probably the largest domestic market in the country. Evening, visit the oldest Kichu Lhakhang. Overnight at Paro
Day6: Hike to Tiger’s Nest.
The 17th century Taktsang Monastery (meaning Tiger’s nest), was founded as a meditation cave is perched upon 2,880ft/900m up on a sheer cliff overlooking the valley and was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padmasambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The hike is about one and half hours to the teahouse, from where we may either opt to go further uphill to the monastery for about 1 hour or return with a few snapshots of the monastery. However, the monastery was tragically damaged in the fire of early 1998 but rebuilt to its former glory within the next couple of years. Lunch is served at the tea house with the majestic views of Taktsang above and the Paro valley below. The return trek to the road head is downhill almost all the way and takes about an hour. Self-guide leisure walk around the traditional Paro town. Overnight in Paro
Day7: Depart
All Inclusive Tour Packages
—
Jamtso (Mr.)
Bhutan Karma Trails
Opposite to National Handicraft Emporium
Norzin Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
P.O Box 1612 + 975 (0)2 336441/ 329098 (T), +975 (0)2 337004(F)
+975 77174087/17965291/17997319 (C),
reservation@bhutankarmatrails.com
www.bhutankarmatrails.com
The trails where your karma becomes adventurous!