 Day
01: Bagdogra/Siliguri – Phuentsholing
Our representative will meet you on arrival at either Siliguri
or Bagdogra airport in the Indian state of West Bengal.
After a drive of about three hours along a road lined with
lush green tea gardens you will reach Phuentsholing
, the gateway to Bhutan, which lies directly at the base of
the Himalayan foothills. This rapidly growing town is
Bhutan’s commercial center, with most commercial organizations
headquartered here. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing
.
Day 02: Phuentsholing
to Thimphu
After breakfast, proceed to Thimphu,
making our first stop about 5 km. up the road to visit Kharbandi
Gompa. This beautiful monastery situated in a garden
of tropical plants and flowers, was built by Royal Grandmother,
Ashi Phuntsho Choedron in 1967. There is a splendid
view of Phuentsholing
and the Indian plains from the monastery garden.
From this point the road climbs steeply
up into the hills, winding in innumerable bends, to an altitude
of approximately 2,000m/6,560ft. We will make stops
along the way from time to time, so as not to miss the magnificent
view of the Indian plains and the Toorsa river below.
After a two hour drive through light mountain jungle, displaying
lianas and orchids, we pass over the first ridge and begin
a long and gradual descent to the river which is the source
of energy for the massive Chukha Hydel hydroelectric power
project. We cross the river, and rise up the mountainside
ever further into the hills, leaving Chukha and the small
town of Chimakothi behind us. Lunch is served en route.
After passing through Chapcha the road reaches
its highest point of about 2,800m/9,185ft, then descends steeply
and runs along the banks of the Wang Chu (river) to
Chuzom (meaning confluence), where the Paro
Chu runs into the Wang Chu. From here it is only about
2 hours’ drive up the valley to Thimphu.
Shortly before reaching our destination, we will stop to visit
Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom, built
by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627.
On arrival in Thimphu,
check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu
Thimphu,
perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the
seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s
royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with
representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters
for a number of internationally funded development projects.
 Morning
visit to Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building which
houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King. Tashichhodzong
is also the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot)
and the central monk body. Proceed to the National Library,
which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature,
with some works dating back several hundred years. Visit
the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the
Painting School), where a six year training course is given
in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Also
visit (outside only) the National Institute of Traditional
Medicine, where the medicinal herbs abundant in the kingdom
are compounded and dispensed.
After lunch, visit the National Memorial Chorten. The
building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s
third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who had wanted
to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed
in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to
the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”),
and a monument to peace. Visit the government-run Handicrafts
Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide
range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha
paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan
is famous. Also visit the Folk Heritage and National
Textile Museums, opened in 2001. Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu
– Punakha
After breakfast drive over Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft)
to Punakha.
Punakha served as
the capital of Bhutan until 1955, when the seat of government
moved to Thimphu.
Originally situated on the riverbank and dominated by the
towering walls of Punakha
Dzong, the township was relocated to a safer site a few kilometers
down the valley, consequent upon extensive flooding in the
early 1990s. At the same time, extensive renovation
work was undertaken on Punakha
Dzong itself, which is now a breathtaking and glorious sight
as you first glimpse it from the road. Although four
catastrophic fires and an earthquake in past times destroyed
many historic documents, Punakha
Dzong still houses many sacred and historic artifacts and
also the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Overnight
at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 05: Punakha
– Bumthang
After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang,
where we will stop to visit the remarkable Wangduephodrang
Dzong, stretched along a spur at the confluence of two rivers.
We will also visit a local village house, to gain insight
into the lifestyle of the people. Then drive up a winding
mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over
a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley. After lunch, proceed
to Bumthang, the
religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
 Day
06: Bumthang
Bumthang is the
general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey,
Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600
to 4,000m (8,840-13,600ft). This area is home to many
ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries.
We will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded
in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, which contains interesting and ancient
Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit Jakar
Dzong, “the dzong of the white bird”, the administrative
center of the region. In the afternoon, we will visit Kurje
Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bhutan as Guru
Rinpoche meditated here, and later on Jambey Lhakhang which
was erected in the 7th century, when Buddhism was first introduced
into Bhutan. Evening visit to local shops. Overnight
at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang
– Punakha
After an early morning visit to Bumthang’s
market, we will set off on the 7 hour drive back to Punakha,
taking lunch en route at a famous restaurant in Tongsa town.
We will then drive on through the mountains and down to Wangduephodrang,
where we will take a short break for tea/coffee before proceeding
on the final stage of our journey to Punakha.
Day 08: Punakha
– Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro,
visiting Simtokha Dzong en route. This dzong, built
in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the
Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Arrive Paro
and check into the hotel. Afterwards, walk down a hillside
trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating
history. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
 Day
09: Paro
The valley of Paro
contains a wealth of attractions. After breakfast, drive up
the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18 km. from
Paro town on the north
side of the valley. It was from here that the Bhutanese
repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
Afterwards visit Ta Dzong. Once a watchtower, built
to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th
century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National
Museum in 1968. Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one
of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.
In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse
for an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn
something of their lifestyle. Later on, take an evening
stroll along the main street, and perhaps visit a few handicrafts
shops, or take refreshments at a local café or bar.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 10: Paro
to Jaldapara
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to Jaldapara
in India via Phuentsholing.
Jaldapara is
a famous wild life sanctuary for one horned rhino and Indian
elephant. We check in at the tourist lodge at Jaldapara.
Day 11: Jaldapara
to Bagdogra / NJP
Early morning elephant ride/car safari inside the grassland
of Jaldapara
to watch the great Indian Rhino in their natural habitat.
Back to the rest house for breakfast and drive to Bagdogra/NJP
Station to catch the return flight/train. |
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