Kingdom Beyond Earth

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, Thimphu, a charming city with an exciting blend of tradition and modernity. 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 15^th 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.  Check into the hotel.

After lunch visit National memorial chorten (stupa) built in memory of 3^rd king of Bhutan. This site will give you the opportunity to take pictures senior citizen and to mingle with local. The site was 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 center 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 statue- 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these figure has also been cast 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 (Thimphu 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.

Evening at leisure

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.

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. The site offers a great deal of monks wondering in the courtyard of Dzong. Before 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan. The dzong is known for its gorgeous architecture and paintings.

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 4.5m bronze statue of Chenrezing, the bodhisattva of compassion, along with statues of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and 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 highlight 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 visit Trongsa Dzong. (Optional: stop at Trongsa town and start walking to the longest Dzong of Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong) Built in 1648. 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, 68km from Trongsa, a journey of about 3 hours over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155ft.). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28km from Trongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. Stop at Chumay Weaving center to see the textiles from sheep wool and yaks hair and also stop at beautiful Kiki la pass to take pictures of colorful prayer flags. On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your lodge.

Free time activity: 1-take a walk to Chamkhar town to see local vendors selling yak cheese.

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 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 Songtsen Gampo in one night.

Start walking from Jambay lhakhang for 30-45mins on an even path to explore the religious sites, Kurje Lhakhang, 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 for nearest road on an even path descending downwards 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 an 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 that 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 the drive will take you over 3 passes namely Yotong la pass (3400m),Pele la pass (3200m) and Lawa la pass (3100m).Stopping along the way for scenic pictures and for lunch at a local restaurant well known for its traditional cuisine.

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 monks at Gangtay Buddhist College.

After early breakfast prepare for the most beautiful and scenic hike at Phobjikha, Gangtay Nature Trial (1 ½ hrs.). 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. Continue your drive to Paro.

Lunch on the way.

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

Leisure time in Paro town.

Recommended free 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.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel at Paro.

After early breakfast drive towards Chelala pass (4000m). Chela la is the highest motor able road in Bhutan with a great deal of payer flags hoisted on pass. 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 chelala and start 1 hr. trek downhill through woods with some stretch offering fabulous view of Paro valley. Continue hiking through lumbers 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 center also consists of retreat center for 50-60 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 followed by a visit to a Traditional farm house, where you get the opportunity see interior part of the farm house and also to sit with local family and know about real story translated by your guide or directly from family (depends if someone from family speaks English). As you hear the story you also get to try local tea (salted cow butter tea) and local alcohol (Ara from fermented rice or wheat).The main goal of this visit is to see traditional house and hear on Bhutanese way of life as farmer from the family.

Evening at leisure

(Your guide will do a detail orientation and preparation for the hike to Tiger nest for next day, while having welcome

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 5-6 hours 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.

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.