Custom Tour of Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

Preliminary Tour Itinerary

Itinerary: Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery, Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang (Jakar), Ogyen Choling Palace, Ura and the Masked Dance Festival, Mongar, Trashi Yangtse 
Duration: 22 days

Day 1: Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Travel to Bangkok
Departures to Bangkok (most convenient routing to be arranged by Kriegner Travel Services. Please note that the April 11 departures to Bangkok also may be possible but will not allow for the one-night of recommended rest in Bangkok en route to Bhutan. 

Day 2: Sunday, April 11, 2010 - Arrival in Bangkok
Arrivals in Bangkok (usually late evening around midnight).  Transfer on arrival to the Novotel Hotel adjacent to the airport terminal (advance discounted reservations available through Kriegner Travel Services). 

Day 3: Monday, April 12, 2010  - Tour Bangkok 
Leisure day to rest and re-set the body-clock to the new time zones, as well as an opportunity to explore some of Bangkok, one of the world’s most interesting and exotic cities.  Overnight at the Novotel. 

Day 4: Tuesday, April 13, 2010  - Travel to Bhutan

Very early morning departure from Bangkok for the flight up into Bhutan with late-morning arrival at the Kingdom’s only airport in the beautiful Paro Valley.  Afternoon visit to the National Museum in the Ta Dzong and the main Rinpung Dzong (center of monastic and civic life in the Paro Valley and site of the filming of ‘Little Buddha’ in 1995).  Lodging at the Gangtey Palace (historic 19th-century compound that was once the residence of the Paro Penlop). 

Day 5: Wednesday, April 14, 2010  - Tour  Paro Valley
Morning visits to Dungtse Lhakhang, a 15th-century temple with some of the finest paintings and most unusual architecture in all of Bhutan, and Kychu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan dating from the 7th century.   After lunch, a drive up to the end of the road in the Paro Valley to visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and with weather-permitting the sight of 24,000-ft. Jhomolhari. 
Lodging at the Gangtey Palace. 

Day 6: Thursday, April 15, 2010 - Tour Taktsang Monastery

Travel up the Paro Valley towards Taktsang - most sacred monastery in Bhutan hugging the cliffs 2,000-feet above Paro Valley.  The upward path towards Taktsang passes through forests of fir and rhododendron before reaching the higher elevation forests of live oak and hanging mosses.  Every effort will be made to accomplish the climb to enter the monastery, which was rededicated in early summer 2005 with completely restored paintings and sculpture. 
Lodging at the Gangtey Palace.

Day 7: Friday, April 16, 2010 - Tour Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan
Early morning departure for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.  The drive will follow the flow of the river out of Paro until forking near Chhuzom.  Stop en route to see Tachogong Lhakhang and the rebuilt traditional ‘chain’-bridge where monkeys also can sometimes be seen.  After lunch in Thimphu, an afternoon visits to the Folk Heritage Center, National Institute for Zorig Chuzom, Bhutan’s Thirteen Traditional Arts, Textile Museum, and time-permitting, a paper-making site. 
Lodging in downtown Thimphu.

Day 8: Saturday, April 17, 2010 - Guided Tour of Thimphu
Morning visit to Thimphu’s weekly market for a colorful slice of Bhutanese life followed by a visit to the main dzong housing the offices of His Majesty the King and the summer residence of the Je Khenpo.  Lunch at the Royal Golf Club just outside the dzong with views of the mountains surrounding Thimphu.  Afternoon at leisure to explore the streets of Thimphu. 
Lodging in downtown Thimphu.

Day 9: Sunday, April 18, 2010  --  Tour Thimphu Valley
Late morning drive up the Thimphu Valley for a picnic lunch and an afternoon hike in the forest to the historic cliff-side Cheri and/or Tango monasteries.  Afternoon return to Thimphu. 
Lodging in downtown Thimphu. 

Day 10: Monday, April 19, 2010  - Tour Punakha

Early morning departure for Punakha - with lunch at Dochu La providing (weather-permitting) some of the best views of the high Himalayas towards Tibet.  Stops en route at points of interest, including Chime Lkakhang, a temple built by Lama Drukpa Kunley affectionately known as the ‘Divine Madman’ because of his unorthodox ways of sharing Buddhist teachings.  After lunch, an afternoon visit to Punakha Dzong  - one of Bhutan’s most beautiful situated on an island on the river. 
Lodging at a hilltop inn with views overlooking the river valley.     

Day 11: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - Tour Trongsa
Early morning departure for Trongsa, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family, the Wangchucks.  After crossing Pele La, one of the highest mountain passes in the Kingdom, travel on towards Trongsa Dzong  - considered the most impressive in all of Bhutan, built in 1644 and described as being perched so high in the mountains that the clouds float below.  Visits to the dzong and to the new museum dedicated to the history of Bhutan’s Royal Family. 
Overnight in Trongsa. 

Day 12: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - Travel to Bumthang (Jakar)
After breakfast, continue on to Bumthang, the cultural and environmental heart of the Kingdom.  Periodic stops at points of interest along the way. 
Overnight in Jakar.

Day 13: Thursday, April 22, 2010 - Tour Jakar
Visits to sites of interest in and around Jakar with time simply to relax.
Lodging in Jakar.

Day 14: Friday, April 23, 2010  - Visit to Ogyen Choling Palace

Morning drive into the remote Tang Valley to visit the historic Ogyen Choling Palace.  A picnic lunch will be provided since the area is so remote.  The palace sits atop a high commanding hill accessible only by foot crossing the Tangchu suspension bridge and the traditional path still providing the only access to the village.  The palace is comprised of a massive traditional Bhutanese house surrounded by a cluster of temples and utilitarian buildings still in use by the community who live in the nearby village.  Since the Ogyen Choling Palace is still owned and cared for by the same prominent Bhutanese family, it has retained most of its original furnishings, art, and artifacts that make up day-to-day life in rural Bhutan.      

Day 15: Saturday, April 24, 2010 - Travel to Ura
After breakfast, continue on to Ura, which will be hosting its annual Masked Dance Festival, ’tsechu’, rarely witnessed by foreigners.
Lodging in Ura.

Day 16: Sunday, April 25, 2010  -- Tour Ura and Attend the Masked Dance Festival

Attend the Masked Dance Festivals (including the great black-hat dance with drums, the black-hat dance with magical daggers, and the dance of the judgment of the dead). The festivals are a defining aspect of Bhutan’s remarkable cultural heritage, and the festival at Ura is one of Bhutan’s most vibrant. 
Lodging in Ura. 

Day 17: Monday, April 26, 2010 - Travel to Mongar
After breakfast, continue into eastern Bhutan, still very rarely visited by foreigners.  Travel to Mongar with periodic stops at points of interest along the way. 
Overnight in Mongar. 

Day 18:  Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - Visit Trashi Yangtse
Early morning departure for Trashi Yangtse, one of the most remote parts of eastern Bhutan, with stops en route in Trashigang, the largest town in eastern Bhutan.
Overnight in Trashi Yangtse.

Day 19: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - Tour Trashi Yangtse 
Trashi Yangtse is one of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Bhutan, and is the site of many historic structures still way off the tourist track, therefore offering an opportunity to still see Bhutanese daily life in one of the most pristine settings imaginable. Some of Bhutan’s finest arts, especially woodcarving and weaving as well as unique local cultures are found in Trashi Yangtse.
Overnight in Trashi Yangtse. 

Day 20: Thursday, April 29, 2010 - Departure from Bhutan
Very early morning departure for the drive to the tropical border town of Samdrup Jongkhar and continuing to Guwahati, India. 
Overnight in Guwahati near the airport.

Day 21: Friday, April 30, 2010  -- Flights to Bangkok
Morning flight from Guwahati, India to Bangkok, China with late night connections home. Details to be arranged with Kriegner Travel Services. 

Day 22: Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Arrival Home 
Arrivals back home in time to rest & enjoy the remainder of the weekend.