Tour Bhutan - Journey to Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon

Preliminary Tour Itinerary

Itinerary: Wangdi - Punakha - Thimphu - Jigme Dorje National Park - Paro - Rinpung Dzong - Dungtse Lhakhang - Kyichu Lhakhang - Taktshang
Duration: 11 days

Day 1: Travel to Bhutan 
Early morning departure  from Bangkok for the flight into Bhutan with mid-day  arrival at the Kingdom’s only airport in the beautiful Paro Valley.  After a welcoming lunch, an introductory visit to Bhutan’s National Museum at the Ta Dzong with a commanding view of the valley.  Evening at the Gantey Palace (historic 19th-century compound that was once the residence of the Governor (or ‘Penlop’) of Paro). 

Day 2: Travel to Wangdi
Mid- morning departure for points east  --  with stops en route at Dochu La providing (weather-permitting) some of they best views of the high Himalayas towards Tibet..  After lunch, a leisurely walk  through rice fields and a small Bhutanese village to Chimme Lhakhang (temple built by Lama Drukpa Kunley (affectionately known as the ‘Divine Madman’ because of his unorthodox ways of sharing Buddhist teachings)).  Overnight in the Wangdi valley.

Day 3: Tour Punakha
Early morning drive up the Punakha Valley and visit to Punakha Dzong  --  one of Bhutan’s most beautiful (situated on a point between the confluence of two rivers and site of the coronation of Bhutan’s first king a century ago)  --  and the rare chance to experience the annual tsechu (‘sacred masked-dance festival’ honoring Guru Rinpoche) at historic Punakha Dzong. Overnight in the Wangdi valley.

Day 4: Travel to Thimphu (Capital of Bhutan) 

Day 5: Tour Thimphu 
Visits to the Institute for Zorig Chusom (‘The Thirteen Traditional Arts’), the Folk Heritage Museum, Bhutan’s National Library,  and the Institute for Traditional Medicine. After lunch, possible visit to Tashichoedzong (housing the offices of His Majesty the King and the summer residence of the Je Khenpo).  Overnight inThimphu.

Day 6: Visit Thimphu 
Leisurely morning for exploring more of the streets of Thimphu, or shopping at the colorful weekend market, or simply taking a break. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 7: Tour Thimphu  and Environs

Excursion up the Thimphu valley to the edge of Jigme Dorje National Park and the historic monastic cliff-side sites of Cheri and Tango.  Visits to one or both of the sites can be arranged (depending on time and energy levels), providing opportunities for a moderate hike up through oak and rhododendron forests rising above the river to the secluded monastic communities which were important to the coming of Buddhism to Bhutan and which are  still active monastic and scholarly communities.  Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 8: Travel to Paro 
Departure for Paro and arrival in time for any visits into Paro village (or elsewhere) as desired.  Overnight in Paro.

Day 9: Tour the Paro Valley 

Leisurely visits to the Rinpung Dzong (center of monastic and civic life in the Paro Valley and site of the filming of ‘Little Buddha’ in 1995), Dungtse Lhakhang (15th-century temple with some of the finest paintings in Bhutan), and Kyichu Lhakhang (oldest temple in Bhutan dating from the 7th century).  Time and weather permitting, a stop at the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong at the end of the road in Bhutan with possible views of 23,000+ ft Mt- Jhomolhari bordering Tibet or alternative botanical drive to the high mountain pass (Cheli La) towards the remote Ha Valley before returning to the Gantey Palace for the evening.  Overnight in Paro.

Day 10: Visit Taktshang 
Leisurely morning ascent towards Taktshang -  most sacred monastery in Bhutan hugging the cliffs more than  2,000 feet above the Paro Valley floor.  The upward path towards Taktshang passes through forests of fir and rhododendron before reaching the higher elevation forests of scrub oak and hanging mosses.  For all who wish to enter the monastery, every effort will be made to accomplish the climb.  The monastery  was rededicated in early summer 2005 with completely restored paintings and sculpture.  Others may wish to spend the time at the tea-house, about mid-way to the monastery, or simply enjoy the forests at a very leisurely pace.  Overnight in Paro.

Day 11: Departure from Bhutan  
Transfers to the airport in Paro for the departure flight returning to Bangkok.