8 DAY FULLY ESCORTED PRIVATE
TOUR, FULLBOARD, 4/5* HOTELS.
CODE BHU. £1,695 PER PERSON
The Kingdom of BHUTAN nestles in the heart of some
of the world highest peaks. This tour gives you an
insight of this Himalayan Kingdom. Travel overland
through beautiful valleys of Paro, Thimphu, the
capital of Bhutan, and the picturesque and sub
tropical valleys of Punakha, Wangdue and Haa in
West Bhutan, experience the magic of simple
Bhutanese life that transforms into happiness and
contentment, meet monks in monasteries during their
chant or other monastic activities
JAN-JUN & SEP-DEC ONLY.
PARO-THIMPU-PUNAKHA-HAA-TAKTSANG
Price
includes :
International flights, private car & English
speaking local guides, hotels as above with daily
breakfast, main meals from lunch on day 2 to dinner
on day 6, visits & excursions as per programme,
admission fees, visa to Bhutan.
Price excludes :
Insurance, local airport tax, tipping and any
service not specified.Single room supplement is £195 per person. We reserve the right to
amend programs in case of unexpected problems caused by
weather, airlines, transport companies and local
organizations. Price is per person sharing twin or double room. DAY 01:
Departure from London Heathrow. Fly to Paro via
Kalkotta or Bangkok.
Day
02: PARO/THIMPU
Fly on Druk Air to Paro. The flight to Paro is
one of the most amazing experience. On clear days
you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayan
Mountains including Mt.Everest, Jichu Drakey and
Chomolhari in Bhutan. Flight attendants will guide
you to fill in disembarkation forms in which you
will have to declare your address in Bhutan. Please
put the name of our Bhutanese representative : C/o
AHKE Adventure Travel. Your visa will be made
available & paid in advance and our representative
will be at the airport to assist you. Transfer to
Paro Town ( 20 minutes away from the airport ).
After lunch stroll along the old streets for a
glimpse of Paro before overland transfer to Thimphu
( 65 km ), the capital of Bhutan. Thimphu, perhaps
the most unusual capital in the world, is the seat
of the Bhutanese government. This bustling town is
home to Bhutan Royal family, civil servants, and
foreign embassies and consulates. On arrival
transfer to your hotel. After dinner, evening at
leisure to rest or walk around town.
DAY
03: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA After
breakfast a sightseeing in Thimphu valley will
include : The National Memorial Chorten built
by the third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck,
as a monument to World Peace and Prosperity. The
paintings and statues inside the monument provide a
deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. The
National Library which houses a vast collection of
Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back
several hundred years, as well as modern academic
books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. The
Institute for Zorig Chusum ( also known as the
Painting School) where students undertake a six-year
course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of
Bhutan. The National Institute of Traditional
Medicine where medicinal herbs, minerals and animals
organs are available and dispensed by traditional
pharmacists and medical practitioners. This
indigenous healing method is popular amongst all
Bhutanese people, and runs in parallel to modern
medicine. After lunch drive to Punakha ( 77 km ) via
Dochula pass (3,088 m altitude). En route visit to
Simtokha Dzong, built in 1627 and the oldest
fortress of the Kingdom. It now houses the Institute
of Languages and Culture studies. Driving further up
you will come across many farmers selling their farm
produces such as apple, peach, plum, pear,
asparagus, cucumber, wild mushroom. Stop at Hongtso
to fill in another immigration form required for
foreign tourists before driving on to Punakha. Until
1955 Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and it
is still the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief
Abbot). Visit to Punakha Dzong built in the 17th
century at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu
rivers. Damaged by fires, floods and earthquake over
the centuries, the Dzong has recently been fully
restored to its original glory. Dinner and overnight
at the beautiful hotel in Punakha.
DAY
04: PUNAKHA – PARO
Early start with a short hike up to the16th century
Temple of the God of Fertility before driving to
Paro ( 140 km ). Paro sightseeing includes a visit
to Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum, the
ruins of Drugyel Dzong and the courtyard of Kichu
Lhakhang one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan -
dated back the 7th century AD, the National Museum
in Ta Dzong (Dzong means Fortress)- built as a tower
to watch invaders- The Museum is sheltering a rich
collection of Bhutanese Arts & Crafts. On different
floors, different themes are depicted. Wide range of
antique thankas, religious objects, texts, and
different symbols of religious values are showcased.
Then walk down to Rinpung Dzong, meaning 'fortress
of the heap of jewels". This fortress was built in
middle of the 17th century. Your guide will tell you
fascinating stories behind the history of this Dzong.
Like in all Dzongs around the country, Rinpung Dzong
also has two divisions. One is used to keep monks’
bodies, the other one is for office and district
administration. Walk down and cross an old wooden
bridge constructed over Pachu or river. Here scenes
from little Buddha was shot by director Bernardo
Bertolucci. Kyichu Lhakhang,originally built in 7th
century to tame the demon of Himalaya. This
monastery serves as one of the famous pilgrimage
places in Western Bhutan. Dinner and overnight in
Paro.
DAY
05: HAA Early
morning drive to Haa Valley ( 130 km ) via Chele-la
pass ( 4,200 m altitude). This stunning mountain
road zigzag in a forest of blue pines and
rhododendrons, at the end of which appear Mount
Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is the best place to
pause for a walk around enjoying the incredible
view. Drive on to Haa reaching Haa Dzong. At present
it is a military base. After a picnic lunch visit to
the famous Monastery of Lhakhang Karpo (White
Temple) followed Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). The
central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to have no
difference with that of Lhasa JOWO in Tibet. The
construction of the Lakhang Karpo is believed to
have been assisted by the locality. As a result the
place came to be locally known as 'Hay' meaning
'surprise' which later became 'Haa' due to the
difference in pronunciations of different people
over time. The three giant hills looming over the
fringes of Haa valley were called 'Me Rig Puen Sum'
after the construction of the Lhakhang Kdarpo. Today
the three hills are popularly known as 'Rig Sum
Goenpa' meaning three deities : Jambayang Chana
Dorji and Chenrizig. Later, other Buddhist saints
like Guru Rinpoche and 'Machi Labdorn' came to the
Jungney Drag in Haa and blessed the locality. The
principal religion followed is Drukpa Kagyud. After
the arrival of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the chief
guardian deity of Haa became Ap Chundu. Dinner in
Paro. Overnight at
DAY
06: PARO -TAKTSANG EXCURSION After breakfast drive to Drukgyel
Dzong, or Dzong in ruins. Visit the ruins of this
Dzong initially constructed in mid 17th century.
Drive back to Ramthongkha and then hike to viewpoint
of Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest (one and a half
hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical
granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The
trail is broad and the walk uphill takes you a
little more than a 1000ft above Paro valley. The
view of Taktsang monastery on the cliff is a
spectacular. It is a great pilgrim age destination
for the Buddhists and also one of the most sacred
sites in the Himalayan world. For a close look at
the cliff-hanging site, hike about 2 hours up hill.
From here Taktsang can be clearly seen, clinging to
a sheer rock wall 1000 m above the valleys floor, at
an altitude of 3,000m. The main deity of Taktsang is
Dorje Drolo, the wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, the
precious Teacher, also known as Padmasambhava. The
great tantric mystic is said to have flown here on
the back of a tiger, a manifestation of his consort,
Yeshi Tsogyal, when he brought the teachings of the
Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century. The
image of Dorje Drolo inside the temple is shown
standing on a tiger. There are 13 sacred sites at
Taktsang, and several meditation caves in the cliffs
above. Many saints have meditated here, not only
Guru Rinpoche but also Milarepa and the female yogin
Machig Labdronma. Here you can meditate for a while
before starting to descend. On the way back stop at
farm house for a short visit. Dinner at local
restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
DAY 07:
DEPARTURE All
departure formalities will be made available in
advance, and assisted by your guide. Early breakfast
at the hotel and drive to the Paro airport for your
flight home via Bangkok or Kolkatta.
