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Sacred Bhutan Pilgrimage Tour
No of Days: : 15 Days
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Day 1 : Arrive Paro
On arrival at Paro airport, our Bhutan tour guides receive you and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Paro.
Day 2 : Paro - Thimphu
Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Dzong means fortress. This was actually the watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and houses the District Administration office and the Monk Body. It was built in 1646 AD. If time permits, visit Drugyal Dzong (Ruin Fortress), 15km from Paro Town. The name Drugyal means “Victorious ". The Dzong was built in 1649 AD by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutan, to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan army and it formed one of the chains of defensive fortresses against Tibetan invasion. The Dzong was burnt down by accident in 1950. Tea at Hotel and leave for Thimphu (Capital). Thimphu is 65 km from Paro and takes about 2 hours to drive. Overnight hotel in Thimphu
Day 3 : Thimphu
Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge Stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. The Painting school where traditional art is still kept alive through instruction in the art of painting Thankas (Sacred Buddhist scroll). The Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts are displayed and can be purchased. Lunch at Hotel
Afternoon: Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It also houses the largest Monastic schools in the country. It was built in 1629 AD. Visit Tashichho Dzong. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Tashichho Dzong is the main Secretariat building.
Day 4 : Thimphu – Punakha/Wangduephodrang 77km
On the way, halt at Dochula pass (26 km) for tea and snacks and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountains. Afternoon: Visit Punakha, the former Capital of Bhutan. Punakha Dzong lies between the rivers Phochu and Mochu, "Male River and Female River." The Dzong now houses the District Administration office and the winter residence of the state monastic body and its chief abbot. It was built in 1637 AD. Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong which is 13 km. from Punakha. Wangdiphodrang Dzong and its small town is perched on a hill between two rivers. This is another District Administration office housed in a fortress ( Dzong ). It was built in 1638 AD. Overnight: Hotel in Punakha
Day 5 : Wangdue – Wangdue (139 km.) Top
After breakfast walk to the famous Devine Madman’s Monastery The Chhimi Lhakhang “No Dog Monastery” built in 1499. Today it is very popular because couples who are married for so many years and don’t have childrens but always desired go there and get blessed from the wodden Phallus and in another Nine months the wife gets pregnant. We will visit the monastery and meditate and picnic lunch will be served outside the monastery in a lush green ground. After Lunch drive to Punakha and visit the beautiful and legendary Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen mother of our Crown Prince.
Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue
Day 6 : Wangdue – Trongsa
After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). The journey takes about 6 hrs with lunch stop on the way. After crossing Pelela at 3340 mts. Decend down to Rukhubji and then to Chendibji where your lunch will be served and circumambulate the Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century.
Day 7 : Trongsa – Bumthang
Morning visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower.The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.)
Day 8 : Bumthang –Bumthang
The visitors can visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the Third Druk Desi in 1646 AD. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the Fourth Desi, in 1683 AD. " Desi " means temporal ruler appointed by Shabdrung. It is probably the biggest Dzong in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km. in circumference. The central tower (Utsi) is about 150 ft. high. Visit several ancient and sacred Buddhist Monasteries, Bumthang sheep farm, Diary farm, Juice factory, Mebar Tso (flaming lake ), and other places of interest.
Day 9 : A Day excursion to Ura Valley (65kms from Bumthang)
Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening.
Day 10 : Bumthang – Gangtey
After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. 174kms from Bumthang. Overnight in Gangtey. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Overnight in the guest house.
Day 11 : Gangtey – Paro Top
After breakfast drive to Paro (190kms.) Lunch on the way at Thimphu. Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day 12 : Paro – Paro
Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16kms from Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Chomolhari " Mountain of Goddess " can be seen on a clear day. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon : Visit the National museum ("Ta-Dzong"). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Visit Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower ("Utse") of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1646 A.D.
Day 13 : Paro – Paro
After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest." The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs.
Day 14 : Paro Depart
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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