Himalayan The Far Off Crusade

The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering amazing scenic view of some of the world’s highest snow peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills and over the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River) twisty down the valley below. Our representative will meet you at the airport and after completion of arrival formalities, you will be transferred to Bhutan’s capital. Start driving towards capital city of Bhutan (1hr 30mins). On the way to Thimphu, a photo stop opportunity of a Buddhist temple dating back to 15th century and a short walking opportunity across the bridge at chu-zom (confluence of Paro River and Thimphu River).As you walk you will get stunning view of three chorten (stupa) built at the confluence of two rivers. Thimphu, a charming city with an exciting blend of tradition and modernity. 

 Visit National memorial chorten (stupa) built in memory of 3^rd king of Bhutan. This site will offer you the opportunity to take pictures senior citizen and the right place for you to intermingle with locals. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.  It has now become a vibrant centre of spiritual practice and religious events.           

Recommended free time activity:

• Take a walk in town.
• Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)

• Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)

• Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Thimphu.       

Full day sightseeing tour of the charming city of Thimphu with less driving. It includes visits to:

Visit Buddha point. A gigantic statue of Buddha erected on a mountain overlooking Thimphu city. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha statue - 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these figure has also been casted in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha sits upon is a large meditation hall.

 Visit Changangkha monastery with 5mins.walk from nearest road. A 12th century monastery active with few monks and beautiful Buddhist paintings inside. The main goal of visiting this sight is to see, feel and interact with local families coming with new born babies to do offering and occasionally you will witness monks performing ritual inside the shrine. The monastery is beautifully erected on a ridge overlooking Thimphu city.

 Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.

 Lunch in a local restaurant

Afternoon, visit Traditional handmade paper factory where you will be escorted inside the factory to see the traditional way of making paper followed by paper gallery where you will see how traditional paper are put in use in modern times.

 Visit Centenary farmers market where you get to see local vegetable, rice, fruits and meat items being sold (expect the place to be crowded with local buyer and vendors. (The goal of going to this vegetable market is provide an opportunity to travelers to engage all six senses)

Later visit the Tashichhoe dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress built in the year 1641 by the Founder of Bhutan Zhabdrung. It is the center of government and religion, His Majesty the King’s Throne Room and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot of the monastic body. After a fire, it was reconstructed in 1961 in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans. This place delivers a great deal of monks wondering in courtyard of Dzong.

Evening at leisure                           

Recommended free time activity: 1-

• Take a walk in town.
• Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)
• Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)
• Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)

Overnight in a hotel at Thimphu.

After breakfast drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochula pass (3,050m) and enjoy the most enchanting view of the 108 stupas against the backdrop of the majestic snowcapped Himalayans including the highest mountain of Bhutan.

Later visit the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress which is beautifully erect between pho chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river)This Dzong is considered as winter home of the central monastic body. Before 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan. This site offer a great deal of monks wondering in the courtyard of the Dzong.

Lunch at Punakha.

Later, drive for 30-45mins uphill to Talo village. En-route visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendup Nunnery, built on a pine-covered ridge above Punakha valley. The nunnery’s chapel houses a 4.5mtrs bronze statue of Chenrezing, the bodhisattva of compassion, along with statues of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung in an intricately sculpted altar. It is home to a small and friendly community of nuns. A PRIVATE AUDENCE WITH A NUN WIILL BE ARRANGED BY BHUTAN TRAVELCATIONS (This feature is exclusive only for guest travelling through Bhutan Travelcations without any cost involve) The goal of this setting is to allow travelers understand real life of nuns in Bhutan) Continue driving uphill until you see a scattered village on hill top. The royal queen mothers (four sisters) hail from this small village. The high light of this visit is a short walk (30mins) from top of village to bottom where you will see local farmers doing farm works. (Photo and interaction opportunities)

Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Proceed to Trongsa across Pelela pass (3,300m) .A beautiful and nature drive will provide a lot of photo stops of villages and scenes on the way .Pele la pass might offer yaks grazing in meadows with nomads selling their yak product by the side of road. Stop for pictures of yaks and nomads. This day you also drive through a famous national park known as Black mountain national park and your local guide will be providing a lot of walking opportunities by the side of road. Lunch at a local restaurant situated at the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in the 18th century by a Lama named Shida. Nepalese in style, the stupa resembles the famous Boudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal with eyes painted at four cardinal points.

Arrive Trongsa and check into the hotel.

Free time option: Take a relax walk to Trongsa town (15mins)

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Trongsa.

After breakfast, drive to Trongsa Dzong. (Optional: stop at Trongsa town and start walking to the longest Dzong of Bhutan. Trongsa Dzong was built in 1648 and it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four Kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (‘governor’) prior to ascending the throne, and the present Crown Prince now holds the post. The Dzong is a massive structure with many levels sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built.

Visit Trongsa museum or Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to the Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling and the museum also displays significant Buddhist figures along with a story documentary at lobby. Drive to Bumthang, 68 km from Trongsa, a journey of about 3hrs over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. Stop at Chumay Weaving Centre to see product from sheep wool and yak hair and also stop at beautiful Kiki la pass to take picture of colorful prayer flags.

On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your lodge..                                                                                                               

Free time activity:

• Take a walk to Chamkhar town to see local vendors selling yak cheese and more.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Bumthang.

A beautiful day with less driving and more hiking opportunities. Bumthang is the general name given to a grouping of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitudes varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of the prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Its landscape and scenic beauty is very often linked to Switzerland by locals and visitors from around the world.

After breakfast at the hotel:

Visit Jambey Lhakhang, a 7th century temple and one of the 108 built by King SongtsenGampo in one day.

Start walking from Jambay lhakhang for 30-45mins on an even path to explore the religious site, KurjeLhakhang, where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock. After Kurje start walking again for 45mins -1 hour to visit Tamshing Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan).This beautiful walk will also provide photo opportunities of local farmers and a beautiful bridge with a lot of prayer flags. Upon reaching at Tamshing the oldest paintings on the walls of temple inside will be one highlight (flash light recommended to see painting).

Lunch at local restaurant

Drive up to Petseling monastery. The drive takes about 30-45mins, visit the monastery and start trekking downhill on the ancient path that connects Tang valley and Jakar. The old trial passes through pine forest gives stunning view of Jakar Dzong and the valley. The hike downhill takes about 1:30mins to 2hrs to reach down at Jakar valley. The hike through woods will also provide good chances of seeing high altitude birds like pheasant species.

Optional:Visit Jakar Dzong

Leisure time at chamkhar town

Dinner and overnight in hotal at Bumthang

After breakfast drive to Ura valley. En-route visit burning lake located on the course of Tang chu founded by famous treasure discoverer Pema lingpa in 15^th century. Walk for 10-15mins from nearest rood on an even path to burning lake. Ura valley is located at the altitude of 3100m with 50-60 houses clustered together down in a beautiful valley. The people of Ura primarily depends on yak and sheep product. The herders in Ura usually cover their head with a white scarf to protect themselves from cold wind.

Upon reaching at Ura la pass (3200m) Start hiking for a hour towards Ura valley. The stunning hike will offer panoramic view of valley and some Buddhist monuments on the way.

Picnic lunch

Visit Ura temple and start exploring beautiful Ura village. The goal of Ura day excursion is to experience and see life of nomads and sheep headers. (URA is one place which delivers REAL BHUTAN to traveler)

After the special moments in village drive back to Bumthang(jakar) for overnight.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Bumthang.

After breakfast proceed to Gangtay/Phobjikha. Today you will be driving over 3 pass namely Yotong la pass (3400m), Pela la pass (3200m) and Lawa la pass (3100m).Do not forget to stop along the way for scenic pictures and for lunch at a local restaurant well known for its traditional cuisine.

Gangtay/Phobjikha valley is one of the most beautiful destinations in Bhutan. It is also winter home to a globally endangered black necked crane migrating every winter from Tibetan plateau. Gantay is remarkably beautiful as the valley is formed by glacial lakes thousands years back

Visit the Gangtay Buddhist University. This visit provides an opportunity for you to know more on life of monks. Most of monks studying here speak English and they love practicing their English with visitors, so feel free to start a conversation. Occasionally you might see monks debating over Buddhist philosophy in an open ground.

Free time option: Attend the evening prayer with from at Gangtay Buddhist College.

After breakfast Visit Gangtay monastery, the one and only Nyingmapa monastery located in western Bhutan founded back in 1500.Expect to see many young monks studying and living in monastery.

Depart from monastery for the most beautiful and scenic hike at Phobjikha is Gangtay Nature Trial (1hr 30mins.).A gentle walk through woods with breathtaking view of village on opposite side of valley. This gentle hike will give you the opportunity to see wild life of Phobjikha especially birds and occasionally wild boar. This gentle hike will also offer photo opportunity of glacial formed valley (Phobjikha) and during winter this hike is perfect for seeing black necked crane roosting through the valley.

Today’s lunch will be arranged by your local escort in a Traditional Bhutanese farm house at Phobjikha. The goal of this setting is to allow you to taste the local cuisine and also dinning with the family gives you a better opportunity to come close to understand local culture and tradition.

After lunch one member of the family will be escorting you to explore his house.

Start your afternoon with a short drive by dirt road which leads to oldest temple at gangtay known as Kumbu lhakhang. Start a gradual trek from nearest road till Kumbu Lhakhang (45mins -1hour).The most exciting hike at phobjikha with stunning view of Kumbu village and phobjikha village bellow. This trek also provides photo opportunity of high altitude birds and farmers working in farm land. The temple dates back to 7^th century. There is hardly any literature that reads the history of temple except a verbal explanation from the family taking care of the temple.

Free time options:

• Rest and enjoy view from hotel.

• Get a hot stone bath (reservation 1 day before through local guide and cost will be extra)

Recommended:

• Attend evening prayer with monks at Buddhist University (guide will escort)

Dinner and overnight in hotel at Phobjikha.

Start driving to Paro. En-route visit Rinchengang village at Wangdiphordang. This village will take you back to olden times. A clustered village with 50-60 house hold. The highlight of this visit will be kids, elderly people and old structured houses in the village dating back to 15^th century. Though step climb (15-20mins) it’s worth going to Rinchengang village.

Lunch on the way.

After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) which has a long and fascinating history from 1600s. The first National Assembly of Bhutan was held here. After ParoDzong take a short walk down for 15-20 mins till you reach a beautiful traditional cantilevered bridge (photo opportunity as you walk down the way)

Recommended free time activity:

• Walk along old Paro Street.

• Brioche café.

• Visit stamp shop and Bhutanese traditional music CD shop.
• Witness local people playing archery (national sports)

Check in to the hotel                                

After early breakfast drive towards Chele la pass (4000m). Chele la is the highest motor able road in Bhutan with thousands of prayer flags hoisted. On a clear day you will get stunning view of majestic snowcapped Himalayan mountain peaks including 2^nd highest mountain of Bhutan (Jhomolhari, 7315m) Continue your drive a little further down towards Haa until you reach a view point of valley (NOT WORTH DRIVING FOR 1 and ½ hours to see two Buddhist temple as BHUTAN TRAVELCATIONS DO NOT PROMOTE TOO MAY TEMPLES, MONASTERY AND DZONG).

Drive back to chele la to start 1 hr. trek downhill through woods with some stretch offering fabulous view of Paro valley. Continue hiking through woods on old path used by local vendors during olden times. The old path through forest will take you to a beautiful sight, Kila nunnery. This nunnery centre also consists of a retreat center for nuns. The monastery is located on a cliff side founded back in 1500s.This place also have nuns who are welcoming and fond of talking with visitors. Walk further down to parking and start driving towards Paro.

Lunch in restaurant/picnic lunch arranged by guide

After lunch witness local people playing Archery and free time to walk in main Paro Street.

Proceed to hotel.

(Your guide will do a detail orientation and preparation for the hike to Tiger nest for next day, while you are having evening tea.)

Dinner and overnight in hotel at Paro

Early start is recommended (summer 7am, winter7:30)

After an early breakfast drive north of Paro valley and take a 5-6hrs (round trek) excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan. He meditated in the cave and emerged in eight incarnated forms and thus, the site became holy.  Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. (Your guide will decide on lunch place depending on time) The journey to Tigernest is known for its hiking path through pristine environment delivering views of Paro valley and the famous Tigernest at many spots.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the Kingdom.

Free time option: Hot stone bath at a Bhutanese farm house (excluded from package)

Dinner and Overnight in a hotel at Paro.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for final departure.

• Check in 3 hours before flight departure.
• Your guide will hand over E-tickets to you.
• Passport and E-tickets have to be handy.
• Baggage allowance (30 kg check in).

Any further quarries please feel to contact local agent or guide.