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Western
& Central Bhutan Tour
13 Days
Day - 1 Arrive Paro by Druk-Air.
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount
Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred
Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International
Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Cultural Tours &
Treks 2002. who will escort you to hotel. Evening: Reception by Bhutan
Cultural Tours & Treks 2002 with local musicians.
Day - 2 Paro - Thimphu
The drive to Thimphu (Capital) through the winding road along the Paro and
Thimphu river takes about 2 hrs. The distance is 65kms.
On the way, 6kms before reaching Thimphu, visit the Simtokha Dzong ( Dzong
means Fortress ). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was
built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was
the first Dzong to be built by him. It houses one of the largest monastic
schools in the country.
Check in at the hotel. Thimphu has several good standard hotels with all the
modern facilities except for television. ( restricted by the govt. ) We keep
their guests in the best Bhutanese hotels.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon: Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the
third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other
arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased.
Visit Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure
houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne
Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief
Abbot.
Day - 3 Visit the National Library where a vast collection of
ancient manuscripts are preserved.
Visit the Painting and wood craft school where children are taught the
traditional art of wood craft and painting.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon: Drive up to Dechencholing ( 6kms from Thimphu town ) to view the
Palace of the Queen Mother. You may also visit a small, beautiful monastery on
top of a hill there.
Evening: Relax and take an evening stroll along the streets of Thimphu. And
if you are a party freak Thimphu also has night clubs, it is open during Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday.
Day - 4 Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (77kms)
After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, halt
at Dochula Pass (26kms) for a hot cup of tea/coffee and to enjoy the most
spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. (possible on a clear
day).
Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two
rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means " Male river and Female river
". It is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the
District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence
of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D.
Wandiphodrang lies 13kms from Punakha. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong and its small
town is perched on a hill between two rivers. This Dzong also houses the
District Administration office of the Wangdi district and the office and the
living quarters of the district monk body. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D.
Overnight at the Mendigang Resort/Zangtoe Pelri Hotel
Day - 5 Punakha - Trongsa
After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). The journey takes about 6
hrs with lunch stop on the way.
Day - 6 Morning: Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower.
The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the
district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648
A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong
seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to
the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that
sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and
west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times
nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is
built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler
came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong.
This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over
all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong
is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch
tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the
olden days. Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey takes about 3
hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan.
Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very
comfortable with good facilities.)
Day - 7 Bumthang sight seeing:
Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi
(Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse
Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the
biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference.
Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang,
Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs.
Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso " The flaming Lake
" which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.
Day - 8 A full day excursion to Ura Valley (65kms from Bumthang).
Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered
village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical
Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in
the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to
Bumthang in the evening.
Day - 9 After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. 174kms from
Bumthang. Overnight in Gangtey.
Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey,
one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the
beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful
valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked
Cranes there. Overnight in the guest house.
Day - 10 After breakfast drive to Paro (190kms.)
Lunch on the way at Thimphu.
Day - 11 Sight seeing in Paro:
Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town). Although in
ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the
Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here,
the peak of Mount Chomolhari " Mountain of Goddess " can be seen on a
clear day. On the way back, visit a typical Bhutanese farm house.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon : Visit the National museum ("Ta-Dzong"). This was
actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into
the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro
Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river.
Visit Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley
and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden
bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, the Dzong is
the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state
monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower ("Utse") of
the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The
Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.
Day - 12
After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a short trek to
Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest." The
monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and
overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of
the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan,
meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on
the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round
trip hike takes about 4 hrs.
Day - 13 Paro - International Airport.
Seen off by representatives of our tour operator or your guide.
 I
want this tour.
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