11 Nights Bhutan Tour
Day 1
Arrive Paro, drive to Rinchen Ling Lodge about 9 km up the Paro
valley and on the way visit the Sunday Market of Paro. Lunch at
lodge. After lunch visit the National Museum at Ta Dzong.
After dinner at Rinchen Ling relax by a camp fire or take a
Bhutanese hot stone bath.
Day 2
After breakfast visit the Kitchu Lhakhang, Dungtse Lhakhang, and
Paro Dzong.
Kitchu Lhakhang is the home of the Jo Jamba Amateyus Buddha, it
is believed to be as sacred as the Lhasa Jo in Tibet.
Dungtse Lhakhang is believed to have been built by the Great
Saint and Teacher Drupthop Thangthong Gyalpo, who also
miraculously constructed 108 chain suspension bridges in one
day. Some of the chains from these bridges can still be seen in
temples he constructed.
Later afternoon can be spent exploring Paro town.
Day 3
After breakfast drive to Thimphu about 65 km, which will take
about 2 hours and longer if we stop on way for sightseeing. On
the
way visit Takcho Lhakhang a temple also built by Drupthop
Thangthong Gyalpo’s descendents.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch visit
the Memorial Chorten which was built in memory of the Late King
by the Royal Grandmother.
In the evening explore the capital city then have dinner at your
hotel.
Day 4
After breakfast visit the Arts & Crafts School, Institute of
Traditional Medicine, the Heritage Museum and return to your
hotel or a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch visit the
Handmade Paper Unit, Handicrafts Emporium, the Textile Museum.
Late afternoon (around 5 PM) visit the Tashi Chhoe Dzong, the
seat of His Majesty the King and the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Tahi Chhoe Dzong is an excellent example of Bhutanese
architecture.
Evening dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5
After an early breakfast drive to Punakha 71km or 3 hours from
Thimpu. En route stop at the Dochu la pass for tea. Lunch at a
local restaurant. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong. In the
evening drive to Wangdiphodrang and stay at a hotel by the Punak Chhu (river)
Day 6
After breakfast visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong and then drive on
to Trongsa about 140 km or 6 hours. Enjoy a picnic at Pele la
pass at 12,800 feet altitude. If the weather is clear there are
beautiful views.
Day 7
After breakfast visit Trongsa Choetse Dzong and then drive on to
Bumthang 61 km or about 2 hours. The road takes you across
another high pass at about 12,000 feet - the Yoto la pass. Lunch
at hotel in Bumthang. Bumthang is a beyul, a sacred or hidden
valley and a holy place of Guru Rinpoche and Terton Pema Lingpa.
After lunch visit Kurjey Lhakhang (Kurjey-means body impression). The main temple is built
around the cave with the body impression of the Guru. Then visit the Jambay
Lhakhang. Spend the afternoon to rest or to explore Chamkhar
Town.
Dinner at hotel.
Day 8
After breakfast enjoy the scenic drive to Mebar Tso (Burning
Lake: this is where the great saint Terton Pema Lingpa went into
a lake with a burning lamp and revealed many hidden treasures).
Return to hotel for lunch. After lunch visit the Tamshing
Lhakhang and Jakar (white bird) Dzong,
Day 9
After breakfast return to Wangdiphodrang.
Day 10
After breakfast drive back to Thimphu, tea break at Dochu la
pass. Lunch at a local restaurant in Thimphu. Later in the
evening drive back to Paro.
Day 11
After an early breakfast drive 10 minutes to the Taktsang
Monastery Base then ride ponies or walk up to the Taktsang
Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) which takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours (down
is easier). The old temple at Taktsang was destroyed by fire
several years back, but due to a miracle nothing happened to the
cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. It is called Taktsang Pephu,
and is one of the holiest shrines of the Guru. Buddhists from
all over the world come on pilgrimage here.
If time permits we can visit a local farm house in the later
part of the afternoon.
Evening with family and friends at the lodge.
Day 12
Depart Bhutan for Bangkok: Tashi Delek and lok jeigey la.
