Bhutan Travel Collections

The Hemingway Tour and Safaris Travel Collection 

BHUTAN CULTURAL TRAVEL COLLECTION

Day 01 :: Arrive Paro
Arrive Paro where you will be met by our representative. Drive to hotel for check-in.Afterlunch visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This Museum was the former watch tower for the Rinpong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. Visit the Rinpong Dzong. This is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. In the evening visit a farm house for local hospitality. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 :: Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu (approx 2 hours). Enroute visit Takchu Monastery. After lunch visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 in memory of the third king Also visit the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Arts and Crafts School, National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and Zilukah Nunnery Temple.

Dinner hosted by our local office. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 :: Thimphu - Wangdue
Morning drive to Wanduephodrang (approx 3 hours) over the Dochula Pass (3150 m) from where the snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong, the Winter Residence of the Je Khempo (Chief Abbot).In the evening hike to Chimed Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple of Saint Drukpa Kuenley also known as 'the Divine Madman'. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 :: Wangduephodrang - Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa (approx 6 hours). In the evening visit Trongsa Dzong and its imposing watch tower. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 A.D. it is presently the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic school. Built at split levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. The watch tower, located directly above the Dzong, has on display many interesting armors and other weapons of war used by ancient warriors. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 ::Trongsa - Bumthang
Transfer to Bumthang (3 hrs drive) crossing Yotungla Pass (3425 m) where you get the first glimpse of the Black Mountains . Enroute visit Yathra (textile) weaving cottage industry at Chumi Valley. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 :: Bumthang
Visit the historical Jakar Dzong, built in 1646 A.D. by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal Ruler). In 1683 A.D. it was extended by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi. Visit several ancient and sacred monasteries such as the Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Wangduecholing Dzong. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 :: Bumthang
After breakfast, we depart for a day trip to Shugdrag Temple. Walk through farms, fields and forests to the temple. The temple is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche and its is supposed to have been blessed by the Saint in the 8th Century. The temple is built on a rock face and resembles the Taktshang Monastery in Paro. The to and fro trip to the temple will take approx. 5 hours. Enroute a side visit to the Thangbi Monastery, an 18th Century temple and interact with the monks over a cup of yak butter tea.

In the evening, enjoy dinner/local wine around bonfire with some village dancers. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 :: Bumthang
A full day excursion to the Ura Valley, 65 Kms from Bumthang. You can drive upto Ura and take a leisurely stroll through the quaint and clustered village. Ura also has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery.You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pastureland. Pack lunch at Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening. Visit a farm house to experience the Bhutanese hospitality. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 :: Bumthang - Gangtey
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley (approx 6 hours). Phobjikha Valley is the winter habitat for endangered black-neck cranes. This area is known for its natural beauty and is quite remote. Photo ops are abundant. The gravel road to Gangtey descends through fields of bamboo, emptying into a lowland valley of grass that falls within the borders of the Black Mountain Natural Park. To the Bhutanese, going to Gangtey is like going back in time, an interesting perspective given that they themselves live in a country right out of the pages of King Authur's Court. Here you can visit the carpet weaving center and roam the village of Gangtey, perched atop a hill surrounding the 17th century Gangte Gompa monastery. Most of the residents of this village are the families of 140 Gomchens (Lay Monks) who take care of the Monastery. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 :: Gangtey - Wangdue
Early morning departure to Wangdue (approx 3 hours). Drive down to Phobjikha Valley and visit the Information Center of the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature for Black necked cranes. In the evening, visit Wangdue Dzong. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 :: Wangdue - Thimphu
Morning departure to Thimpu. Enroute visit one of the oldest Fortress, The Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 AD by Zhabdrung Rimpoche, the first theocratic ruler of Bhutan who unified the country. After lunch visit traditional paper factory and Changgangkha temple. Evening free for shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 :: Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast, drive 12 km north of Thimphu and hike to Tango Monastery. Tango Monastery is the residence of the Druk Desi Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye, an eight-year-old spectacled boy who is the reincarnate of the 16th-century monk who built Tango. Be prepared for a vigorous 45 minute climb into the clouds. From the top of Tango (which means horse) because of the horse-head like rock formation on the side of the mountain, you can photograph the interior courtyard of the monastery and distant monasteries through a forest of colorful prayer flags. Picnic lunch will be served at Tango. In the afternoon return to Thimphu and visit the Takin Reserve - national animal.

Evening drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 :: Paro
Hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest'. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 m. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambbava alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. En-route visit the Drugyel Dzong - the ruined fortress. The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. On a clear day this spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (7329 m). In the evening walk through Paro town. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 :: Depart Paro
Transfer to airport for your onward flight. End of services.