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Day 1 - Depart from home to Bangkok, Thailand.
Day 2 - Fly through the dateline. Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand late in the evening. Stay at the Bangkok Airport Amari Hotel.
Day 3 - Paro/Thimphu - Depart Bangkok via Druk Air to Paro,Bhutan. On its way to Paro, Druk Air flies over eight of the ten tallest peaks of the world including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring beginning to our adventure.
After lunch, we will drive the winding road following the Pa Chu (Paro River) downstream to its confluence with the Wang Chu (Thimphu River), then up-valley to Thimphu (the only capital city in the world with no traffic light!). As we enter Thimphu Valley we will pass by Simtokha, the dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the man who unified Bhutan). Simtokha is the oldest of the Dzongs, originally serving as a fortress to protect the region, an administrative center and the center for the monk’s religious activity. Simtokha now houses a language school where scholars of all ages study Dzongkha, the national language.
Day 4 - Punakha Valley - After breakfast, we'll visit the weekly vegetable market (weekend), where Thimphu residents mingle with villagers in an interesting urban and rural blend. The market is set up outside in rows under tents and tarps. People come from outlying rural villages to this market to sell vegetables and exotic fruits, & other items including dried fish, chili peppers, spices, tea (in bricks), butter (wrapped in leaves), hats, jewelry, and masks. You will also find all kinds of items that the local people use at home, including ritual and religious objects, and wonderful textiles.
After the vegetable market, we may have a chance to see a Bhutanese Archery Game - Bhutan’s national sport and an integral part of all festivities. The game is played using two painted wooden targets 12”x47” placed at each end of the range which is 120 meters apart. When an arrow hits the target, the archer’s team mates sing and perform a celebratory dance. During major competions, women dance and sing, extolling their team while teasing and mocking the adversaries with funny comments to make them lose their concentration.
We will head eastward to Punakha Valley. The road winds through pine forests and small villages, and passes by chortens (stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to Dochula Pass (10,000'). The prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes, transmit prayers to the Gods and keep up a constant communication with the heavens. At the pass, we'll see 108 newly built chortens (stupas) dedicated to Bhutan's continued peace and happiness.
After an early lunch, we will head eastward to Punakha Valley. The road winds through pine forests and small villages, and passes by chortens (stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to Dochula Pass (10,000'). The prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes, transmit prayers to the Gods and keep up a constant communication with the heavens. At the pass, we'll see 108 newly built chortens (stupas) dedicated to Bhutan's continued peace and happiness.
As we descend from the pass, we will notice the dramatic change in vegetation. At the lower elevation of the valley floor, cactus, banana plants, poinsettia and other semi-tropical plants dominate the landscape. After a few hours, we will come to the green terraced fields of Punakha Valley, where red rice and winter wheat are the staple crops. In the village of Lobesa, we will see to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favourite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as "the Divine Madman". The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples.
Day 5 - Punakha Valley - After breakfast, we will visit the Puna Dechen Phodrang Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the man who unified Bhutan. The Dzong lies between the Fo Chu (male river) and the Mo Chu (female river), and is the winter home of the Central Monk Body. It is believed that the Mo Chu and the Fo Chu were once lovers, flowing in the same bed. One evening, after a quarrel, the Mo Chu left silently during the night, moving to the next valley. Ever since, the Fo Chu has been rushing down to the confluence, trying to catch his estranged lover.
When the Shabdrung arrived in Punakha, he set up a camp at the confluence of the two rivers and that very night had a dream in which he heard the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha and the founder of Tantric Buddhism. He then built a Dzong on that spot and placed the Rangjung Kharsapani there, the most sacred relic that he brought with him from his monastery in Tibet.
A devastating flash flood in 1994 washed away a major part of the Dzong. His Majesty the King personally supervised the reconstruction of the Dzong, a project that has occupied thousands of skilled craftsmen and builders during the past twelve years. The results of the restoration are amazing. You will be seeing the most magnificent architectural and artistic masterpiece in the Kingdom, just consecrated in an elaborate ceremony in May of 2003.
After the Dzong, we will enjoy an optional hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten (stupa), through paddy fields and past traditional farmhouses. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the Chorten and about 30 minutes coming back. A visit here is a good introduction to Tantric Buddhism. It contains some of the best Tantric art in Bhutan, and a visit there will serve as a balance to the more traditional Buddhist statuary and wall painting visible at the Punakha Dzong. The shapes and forms of the Tantric statues may surprise most visitors. The terrifying divinities are manifestations of peaceful gods, which assume these forms to subdue evil spirits that are hostile to Buddhist doctrine. The persons being crushed by the wrathful deities are either hostile spirits or primordial negative concepts such as ignorance, jealousy and anger, and the nudity of most of the deities show that this world’s conventions are of no importance on higher planes. In Tantric Buddhism, numerous statues and paintings are also in the form of sexual union, which represents the union of knowledge and compassion that permits the attainment of Nirvana or enlightenment.
After a leisurely hike back, we will return to our hotel.
Day 6 - Punakha/Phobjikha -After breakfast, we will drive further east to the hidden valley of Phobjikha at the Black Mountains in Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park. Circled by pine and rhododendron covered mountains, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. The rare Black Neck Cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan and use the swampy center of this valley as their winter residence from mid November to mid March. We’ll be staying in a newly built comfortable guesthouse (there is no electricity and telephone in the valley). This evening, we may have a chance to experience a Bhutanese “stone bath.” (Rocks heated in a bonfire are put in the water of this “hot tub.”)
Day 7 - Bumthang - This morning, we will enjoy a walk through this beautiful valley among a clusters of traditional houses and visit the Black Neck Cranes Information Center.
After the Information Center, we’ll drive to Bumthang, crossing the Pelela (10,825 feet) and Yutongla (11,200 feet) passes. We may stop for lunch in Tongsa. The road winds through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo. Before reaching Tongsa, we’ll see the 18th century Chendebji Chorten, a whitewashed stone chorten (or stupa) built in order to nail into the ground a demon who had been terrorizing the inhabitants of the valley. The first sight of the Tongsa Dzong ( a “dzong” is a fortress), the largest in Bhutan, is from across the valley. But the road winds another 12.5 miles before we’ll actually get there. Magnificent views around every turn!
In the afternoon, we’ll continue our drive to Jakar (Bumthang). In Chumey village, we may have chance to stop at some special wool shops. This place is famous for Yathra weaving, colorful handwoven woollen textiles.
Upon arrival in Jakar, we will check into our comfortable lodge for three nights. he Bumthang region is composed of four valleys, and we will be staying in Jakar, the central village of the district. This area is known for its “Yathra” weaving. Yathra is the name for the colorful, handwoven woolen cloth (often with geometric designs) that is produced in this region. Bumthang is one of the most beautiful and sacred areas of Bhutan, known for the visits of Guru Rinpoche (the Second Buddha) when he was bringing Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century. The open and wide valleys filled with fields and farmers, and the gentle slopes of beautiful mountains dotted with many sacred temples and monasteries, make for an unforgettable experience.
This evening, we may participate in the "Gagtroe Prayer and Dance Ceremony," chasing away of the bad spirits and preparing the ground for the festival. We may even choose to hang around till mid night to see the famous naked dance.
Day 8 - ambay Lhakhang Drup Festival - We will spend a full day at Jambay Lhakhang Drub, the annual religious dance festival that takes place at Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. According to legend, Jambay Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in AD 638, by a Tibetan Buddhist king in order to overcome a giant ogress who laid across regions of the Himalayas in order to prevent the spread of Buddhism. The central figure in the sanctuary is the statue of Jampa, the Buddha of the future.
Eleborate, spellbinding masked dances at the festival are performed by specially trained monks. From the roof of the temple, monks blow on a pair of long horns, and the sound of cymbals, drums and trumpets fill the air. These dance festivals revive the people spiritually and in many ways refine them culturally because the dances communicate moral lessons, and both the performer and the observer benefit from the exchange. The Bardo dances, the main event of the festival, serve as a reminder to people of their future destiny depending on their past and present deeds. The dance of Noblemen and Ladies tells the story of flirting princesses who are punished for their indiscretions. The dance of the Stag enacts the tale of a hunter who was converted to Buddhism and gave up hunting.
Day 9 - Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival - You may choose to go back to the festival and spend some more time there. Later in the day, we will explore the magnificient valley by walking and driving through it, visiting several temples, including Tamshing Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Saint Pema Lingpa and containing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan.
Day 10 - Tongsa - After breakfast, we will drive back to Tongsa, crossing the Yutongla pass. Upon arrival in Tongsa, we will have the rest of the day free.
Day 11 - Wangdi Valley - After breakfast, we will visit Tongsa Dzong and explore the surrounding area. Built in 1647, it is the largest dzong in the country. It is also the ancestral home of the Royal Family, and both the first and second kings ruled the country from Tongsa. The Dzong sits on a narrow spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde-Chu River and overlooks the routes east, west and south. It was built in such a way that in the olden days, it had complete control over all east-west traffic. This helped to augment the strategic importance of the Dzong which eventually placed its Penlop (regional ruler) at the helm of a united country when His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck became the first king of Bhutan. To this day, the Crown Prince of Bhutan becomes the Penlop of Tongsa before ascending the throne, signifying its historical importance. After the Dzong, we'll drive to back to Wangdi Valley, crossing the Pelela pass.
Day 12 - Thimphu - After breakfast, we'll return to Thimphu, crossing the Dochula Pass.
We have rest of the day and the next morning to explore Thimphu, Bhutan's exotic capital city—a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary life. You may also choose to have a day free for independent sightseeing, shopping, packing or rest! There are numerous things to do here. The school of Arts and Crafts where students learn the skills of various traditional arts and crafts: Buddhist thangka painting, mask making, wood carving, embroidery, slate curving, sculpture, weaving and calligraphy is a favorite. Many visitors enjoy going to the area that was formerly a zoo, for a chance to see the takin, Bhutan’s national animal. Other choices include: Memorial Chorten (an impressive three-story monument with Tantric statues and wall paintings), the Folk Heritage Museum and the handmade paper “factory.” There are a variety of handicraft shops to visit for silk weaving, masks, woodcarving, jewelry, and other items.
Day 13 - Paro (altitude 7,400')
After lunch, we will return to Paro for our last two nights in the Dragon Kingdom. Upon arrival, on our way to the hotel, we will see the famous 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple said to be built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds down the left foot of an ogress so huge that she covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.
Day 14 - Sangchen Chokhor to Bumdrag - After breakfast, we'll take a short drive to Sangchen Chokhor, the most important Buddhist College in the Kingdom, located on a hill overlooking the magnificent Paro valley. The main temple was built in 1765 and has some of the most sacred relics and treasures offered by the devotees and kings of China, Tibet and Mongolia. We may have a chance to visit one of the temples, meet resident monks and the American Volunteer English Teacher.
We then leave the monastery and begin our trek. The trail climbs steadily up the mountainside through thick forests of Himalayan blue pine, oak and rhododendron to Chochong-Tse, a small 17th century temple and meditation cave.
From here, a short steep climb brings us to a spectacular panoramic viewpoint. In clear weather, we'll be treated to spectacular views of high mountain ranges, rolling hills, beautiful wildflowers, and the magnificient Paro valley. Walking along a ridge line trail, high above the valley floors, we are awed by the solitude and magnificient panoramic views of the surrounding lush valleys and towering peaks. Winding through beautiful forests and meadows of wildflower we approach treeline and our our first campsite, Bumdrag. Enjoy this idyllic setting and marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayas.
Later in the afternoon, we'll visit Bumdrag Gompa, a small meditation monastery that clings to the side of an immense cliff face, founded by the Tantric Buddhist Yogini Machig Labdron. Considered to be both a dakini and a deity, Machig Labdron founded a unique Tantric Buddhist practice known as "Chod." Recognizing the body as the root of one's attachment to self, Chod is a practice that destroys this fundamental attachment and simultaneously develop compassion for all beings. Chod practioners often meditating in cemeteries, desolate and haunted places, develop compassion for all beings and achieve transcendence over attachments, fear, greed, and anger. One's attachment to the body, fear of its destruction, greed for its well-being, and displeasure for its suffering are all put to test in a Chod practice. Although India is the birth place of Buddhist teachings, Chod is the only teaching that developed in Tibet and then spread to its neighboring areas including India. Chod practice has had a special appeal for women, perhaps because it was largely founded by a woman saint. All down through history, women have been spiritual leaders in the Chod tradition.
When Machig Labdron arrived at Bumdrag, she found a big group of one hundred thousand dakinis gathered there. Thus the place was named Bumdrag, meaning "the cliff of one hundred thousand dakinis." It is believed that the cliff has one hundred thousand footprints of dakinis.
Time: approx. 4 - 5 hours; Ending elevation: approx. 12,000’ Elevation gain: approx. 3,000’; Starting elevation: 9,000’
Day 15 - Bumdrag/Taktsang - Today we enjoy a well deserved leisurely morning, before we begin our hike back to the enchanting valley of Paro. As the trail winds through a lengthy descent, the landscape changes by the high country of dwarf rhodendron and beautiful vistas, giving way to the low lands of pine and oak.
En route, we visit the magical monastery known as Taktsang (the “Tiger’s Nest) and other sacred sites. Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the entire Himalayan World. The monastery itself is perched on a granite cliff that drops 2,000 feet to the valley floor. The name is derived from a legend that Guru Rinpoche flew across the mountains to this spot on the back of a tigress, reaching a cave in which he meditated for three months, converting the people of Paro Valley to Buddhism during his stay.
After a short drive to the hotel, enjoy a relaxing hot shower in your room and celebrate the magnificent adventure over an exquisite meal.
Time: approx. 4 - 5 hours; Ending elevation: 8,000’ Elevation gain: approx. 0’ Elevation loss: approx. 4,000'
Day 16 - Fly to Bangkok - Back to the airport to depart from the Land of the Thunder Dragon and return to Bangkok.
Day 17 - Fly back to your country.
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