Itinerary
Day
1 Fly Paro. Paro Homestay & Drukyel Day 2 Paro (Taktsang) Day 3 Thimphu Day 4 Wangdue
& Punakha Day 5 Gangtey Day 6
Paro Day 7 Depart
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Magical
Bhutan
7 Days
 Days 1-2: The flight into Paro provides a most dramatic view of the Himalaya as you fly
alongside it. The tiny town of Paro, bursting with colour and tradition,
is overlooked by a dramatic dzong. Fields, cover most of the valley
floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside - the
houses here are considered to be among the most beautiful in the
country.
Travel into the remoter regions of the valley to spend the night
with a local family in their traditional farmhouse - help prepare
the evening meal or relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Nearby Paro are the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, a site of great historical
significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled
many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese.
It offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain
of Goddess” (7329 m). This is a favorite place for locals
to practice Bhutan’s national sport - archery.
A short distance south of the road is Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple
is said to be one of the 12 great geomantric temples ordered built
by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. It holds down
the left foot of an ogress whose body is so large that it covers
Bhutan and most of central Tibet.
In the afternoon visit the sights of Paro town - the National Museum
(Ta-Dzong) and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Taktsang is
the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the
side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where
the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting
of the monks. The name Taktsang means ‘Tigers Nest’;
the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site
of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months.
The monastery itself is closed to tourists except by special permit.
However the one-hour walk to the viewpoint, where there is a small
wooden teahouse provides a close-up view of the monastery.
Day 3: Thimphu lies
in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the west bank of
the Thimphu River. Quiet and peaceful, with its streets lined with
traditional shop fronts, this town seems almost too small to be
a capital – it is often said to be the only one without traffic
lights. Beautiful textiles in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork,
silver jewelry, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom
are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
 Day
4: The road to Punakha and Wangdue crosses the
Dochula Pass (3150 m), offering a great view of the Eastern Himalaya.
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of
two rivers, completely covering it and commanding an impressive
view . Across the river, comes the first glimpse of the picturesque
village of Rinchengang whose inhabitants are celebrated stonemasons.
Punakha Dzong is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual
leader, it is built between two rivers known as “Phochu”
(Male River) and “Mochu” (Female River).
Day 6 : The
great monastery of Gangtey was established in the 17th century and the village
of Phobjikha lies a few kilometers down from the monastery, on the valley
floor. This quiet, remote valley is the chosen winter home of the rare black
necked cranes, which migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau.
Day 6: Return to paro via Thimphu.
Day 7: Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Add-on accommodation and sightseeing packages available in Kathmandu pre or post trip.
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Paro
Center of an enchanting valley of fields, willow
trees and colorfully decorated houses - the tiny town is centered
on the lovely 17th century dzong. |
Thimphu
Established as a permanent capital in 1952, it
was then little more than a dzong and a few houses - today it
remains perhaps the world's smallest capital retaining a strong
national character in its arcitecture and relaxed charm.
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| Taktsang,
the 'Tiger's Lair'
Bhutan's most iconic image and one of the most venerated pilgrim
sites in the Himalaya, the monastery clings to the cliff face
800meters above the valley.
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Punakha
Dzong
One of Bhutan's lovliest dzongs and the winter capital, build
of a site sacred since the 14th century. |
Wangdue
Phodrang
Perched on a spur between two rivers the dzong's
site is impressive and the building has an oddly rustic charm.
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Drukyel
It
was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan
invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. It offers
a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of
Goddess” (7329 m). A short distance south of the road
is Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple is said to be one of the 12
great geomantic temples ordered built by King Songtsen Gampo
of Tibet in the 7th century. It holds down the left foot of
an ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most
of central Tibet. |
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Included
in the Tour Cost:
• Land transport by private vehicle.
• Accommodation as per itinerary
• All meals in Bhutan
• English speaking Bhutanese guide
• sightseeing as indicated including entry fees
• Visa authorisation for Bhutan
Not included in the Tour Cost:
• Flights & taxes
• Drinks
• Visa & passport fees
• Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs etc.
• Tips & gratuities
• Personal travel insurance
• Costs arising from events outside the control of Asian Footsteps
or its agents - including the delay or extension of a trip due to
weather, equipment failure, illness, or other causes beyond our
control. No refunds can be made for any unused services or accommodation
on the trip.
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