Bhutan
Cultural Tour with day hikes / BHT – 03 |
Two
Valleys Tour lets you to discover the rich cultural heritage
of Bhutan. During the trip you will visit to ancient dzongs
(forts), monasteries, museums, cultural centers, along with
the excursions of picturesque villages of bhutan.
Paro is the only
international airport in Bhutan. Your journey starts at Paro,
after landing here. This travel package offers you to
experinence Bhutanese village life at Wangduephodrang.
Opportunity to observe the traditional art of healing to
cure diseases at the Indigenous Hospital and learning more
about the rich Bhutanese art and culture by visiting the Art
& Craft School, National Library, Royal Goldsmith Workshop
and Handicraft centers are really lifetime experiences. |
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Featured
Pictures (Bhutan) |
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Brief
Itinerary |
Day |
Activities |
01 |
Arrive in Paro |
02 |
Hike
Taktsang Monastery. |
03 |
Visit Memorial
Chorten. |
04 |
Excursion to
Tango Monastery. |
05 |
Hike to
Phajoding
Monastery. |
06 |
Drive Thimpu -
Punakha via
Dochu La. |
07 |
Hike to Talo and
Nobgang village
Hiking to Talo
Nobgang. |
08 |
Visit the
Rinchengang
village |
09 |
Visit Gangtey
Monastery |
10 |
Drive Gangtey -
Paro |
11 |
Excursion to Haa
Valley |
12 |
Departure |
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Day
01: |
Arrive in Paro. Visit National
Museum, located on a ridge,
overlooking the Rinpung Dzong.
Unlike the rectangular shape of the
Dzongs, Ta Dzong is conical, more
like that of a European castle,
since 1967 the Dzong was
re-established as the National
Museum and holds a fascinating
collection of art, relics thangkha
paintings and Bhutans’s Exquisite
stamps.
Rinpung Dzong, also known as the “
fortress of the heap of jewels.” It
was built during the time of
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
after the small Hungrel fortress
built by Lam Drung Drung was offered
to Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
Further drive to visit Dzondrakha,
we will stop at a place for the hike
(optional) to a monastery called
Dzondrakha which looks similar to
famous Tiger's Nest monastery but
located at shorter hiking distance.
Half the walk will be along the
agricultural field and very easy,
another half will be an uphill climb
and when both versions of hikes are
summed up it will take less than 1
hour to reach at the top where the
monastery stands. On reaching the
site of the monastery, one would
enjoy the view of the fertile Paro
valley below. Your guide will take
you inside the main temple of the
monastery.
Monastery |
Day 02:
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Hike Taktsang Monastery. This
monastery is built on a cliff, it is
said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here
on the back of a tigress and
mediated at this monastery and hence
it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This
site has been recognized as most
sacred and visited by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now
visited by all Bhutanese at least
once in their lifetime. The
Monastery built in 1692 caught fire
on 19th April 1998, it was renovated
later.From the road point the hike
up to Taktsang, on a well maintained
path, is quite uphill and it takes
4-5 hours at an average walking
speed for to & fro journey. |
Day 03:
|
Visit Memorial Chorten, built in
1974 by Her Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded
as the Father of Modern Bhutan. The
paintings and statues inside the
monument provide deep ingight into
Buddhist philosophy. The chorten is
one of the most visited religious
structures in Thimphu.
Sangyegang view point, it also has
Bhutan Broadcasting Service
tower(BBS),located on a hill above
Zilukha or northeast of Mothithang,
provides you with an opportunity to
enjao and take photograph of Thimphu
city.It is also known as the Lover’s
point.
“Zorig Chusum”, it means the
thirteen crafts. to preserve our
valuable heritage and promote arts
in Bhutan, the Royal government
initiated this institute in 1971.
Students are taught painting,
calligraphy, embroidery, wood
carving, sculpture. The thirteen
arts & crafts comprises of :
Paintings, carpentary, carving,
sculpture, casting, black smithing,
bamboo work, gold & silversmithing,
weaving, embroidery, masonry,
leather work, and paper-making.
Textile Museum, it has opened its
exhibition on six major themes: wrap
pattern weaves,weft pattern weaves,
role of textiles in religion,
achievements in textile arts,
textile from indigenous fibre and
the royal collection. The crowns of
Bhutan’s kings, namzas( dresses)’
the first of the Raven crown and
other accessories used by members of
the Royal family can be found in the
museum. The goal of the museum is to
slowly become a center for textiles
studies that will carry
documentation, research and studies
on textiles.
Visit the Bhutanese paper making
unit, the traditional gold and
silver smith unit.
Handicraft Emporium,It is located on
Norzin Lam and has a wide variety of
handicrafts, displaying assortment
of beautifully hand woven and
handicraft products.
Tashichhodzong, initially erected in
1702 by Sherab Wangchuk, the 13th
Desi and later in 1955 after moving
the capital to Thimphu from Punakha,
this Dzong was redesigned and
sections were rebuilt. It houses the
main secretariat building and the
central monk body. |
Day 04:
|
Excursion to Tango Monastery,
This Goemba was founded by Lama
Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century.
The Monastery which now an important
centre of higher learning for monks
is also associated with Lama Drukpa
Kunley and now an important centre
for higher learning for monks is
also associated with Lama Drukpa
kunley and Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal.The three storey main temple
is dedicated to the body, speech,
and mind of the Buddha and it was
constructed at Gyalse Tenzin
Rabgye’s command in the memory of
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the
early master’s of the Drukpa
lineage.The monastery is situated
north of Thimphu and it is 30
minutes drive from the main town of
Thimphu followed by a 30 minutes
walk through beautiful forest from
the road point. The name Tango means
head of horse. |
Day 05:
|
Hike to Phajoding Monastery, it
is situated on a commanding height
overlooking Thimphu valley. In the
form of a statue, here Guru
Padmasambhava is shown in his
terrifying appearance holding a
sward in his right hand and a bowl
made of a skull in the left hand.
The yogi path that turns from India
to the mountains of Tibet and Bhutan
is set here in symbols with the
utmost consistency. From Thimphu it
is about 4 hrs hike to the
monastery. The Monastery takes its
name from the saint Phajo Drugom
Zhigpo who meditated there in the
13th Century. |
Day
06:
|
Drive Thimpu - Punakha via Dochu La.
Visit Punakha Dzong, the Dzong was
built in 1637 and it was named as
Pungthang Dechen Phodrang( Palace of
Great happiness).The war materials
captured during the Tibetan invasion
can be found inside the Dzong. It is
beautifully located in between the
two rivers called Pho( Male) and Mo(
Female) Chhu( River).It was the
capital of Bhutan till 1955.It
continues to be the winter residence
of the Je-Khenpo( Chief Abbot) and
the central monk body.
Khamsum Yule Namgyel monastery,
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal stands
majestically on a strategic ridge
above the Punakha valley. Built over
a period of 9 years, Bhutanese
craftsmen including carpenters,
painters, and sculptors consulted
holy scriptures rather than
engineering manuals, to construct
this 4-storey temple.
It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s
fine architectural and artistic
traditions and the only one of its
kind in the world. Built by Her
Majesty the Queen Mother, this
temple is dedicated for the well
being of the kingdom and the benefit
of all sentient beings. A 30-minute
drive from the Punakha Dzong will
bring you to the base of the hill on
which this temple is built. From the
car park, you have to cross a
suspension bridge and walk through
rice fields before you start
climbing a moderately inclined trail
surrounded by pine trees. It takes
about 1 hour from the car park to
hike up to the temple, and 30
minutes to hike down. During the
summer, the walk could be a bit
muddy, so be prepared. A hiking pole
is recommended.
Chi-med lhagang it is a small 15th
century temple famous for its
fertility endowments/rites due to
the blessings of Lam Drukpa Kuenley.
The Temple houses the Lam’s iron bow
and arrow, a small altar chorten
made by him and some of his personal
effects and scriptures. A wooden
effigy of Drukpa Kuenley’s male
organ is used to bless pilgrims,
particularly childless couples. |
Day 07:
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Hike to Talo and Nobgang village
Hiking to Talo Nobgang, the
village of the present queen
mothers, is another good way of
spending an extra day in this lush
subtropical valley. The hike up to
Nobgang village can be a good day’s
work. The village of Talo (altitude
2,800 m) which is scattered along
the hill slopes is known for its
cleanliness and hygiene among
Punakha villages. Talo is the seat
of the mind incarnations of the
Zhabdrung. Talo Sangnacholing Dzong
is built on a plateau and has
majestic view of surrounding
villages. The beautiful farm houses
of the village have its own flower
gardens and on the hill slope corns
and sweet peas are grown in
abundance. We will spend some time
the Nobgang and Talo villages
visiting farm house and meeting
families.
The
people of Talo produce maximum corn,
which is harvested in the month of
July and August. The women here are
particularly known for their beauty.
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Day 08:
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Visit the Rinchengang village a
small clustered village facing the
Wangdue Dzong is known for its skill
in traditional method of stone
masonry. It is about 20 minutes hike
uphill with great view of the Dzong,
valley and the river in Wangdi and
drive to Gangtey |
Day 09:
|
Visit Gangtey Monastery and the
Black Necked Crane centre. Gangtey
is a beautiful place of rolling
hills and green meadows surrounded
by snow-capped mountains. It is at
an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey,
one can closely view the picturesque
Black Mountain ranges as well as the
beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey
Gompa is perched atop a small hill
that rises from the valley floor.
The monastery is surrounded by a
large village inhabited mainly by
the families of the 140 Gomchens
(Lay Monks). The Gangtey Gompa is
the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the
western side of the Black mountains
and is also the biggest of its kind.
Gangtey is also the winter home for
the famous Black Necked Cranes who
migrate here from Tibet during the
winter months. While the cranes
reside in the valley for 4/5 months
the village folks are not allowed to
make loud noises or fish in the
river that runs through the valley.
At Gangtey, you get to visit the
Gangtey Monastery and the Black
Necked Crane centre. Overnight
Evening hike back to hotel |
Day
10:
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Drive Gangtey - Paro |
Day
11:
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Excursion to Haa Valley, Leaving
Paro to the west by road, and after
driving through pine and
rhododendron forest, we begin our
climb of the Chele-la pass (4,200
meters), the highest mountain pass
in Bhutan. From here one has
splendid views of the High
Himalayas, including the magnificent
peaks of Jhomolari, Bhutan’s most
sacred peak at over 6,700m, and
Jichu Drakey. A 22km descent from
the top of the pass brings us to the
erstwhile restricted zone of Haa.
The Haa Dzong is presently occupied
by the Bhutanese military, but the
views from outside its walls are
stunning. After a picnic lunch there
are visits to the Monastery of
Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple)
followed by the Lhakhang Nagpo
(Black Temple). The central shrine
of Lhakhang Nagpo is said to
resemble that of the Jowo in Lhasa,
Tibet.
The three giant hills looming over
the fringes of Haa Valley are
popularly known today as ‘Rig Sum
Goenpa’, signifying three deities:
Jambayang, Chana Dorji and Chenrizig.
Return to Paro. drive back to Paro
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Day
12:
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Departure |
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Note: Airfare, taxes and schedules are
subject to change without prior notice. |
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Cost
Include |
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All necessary
airport transfers |
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Twin sharing
accommodation on breakfast basis in hotels |
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All
sightseeing with English speaking local
guide |
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All
activities & excursions as per itinerary |
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All
applicable surface transfer by private non
AC vehicle |
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All camping
equipments where applicable |
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Bhutan visa
and TDF Fee |
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Monument
entrance fee |
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Cost
Exclude |
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Any
international airfare and airport taxes |
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Insurance and
Tips |
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Bottled
drinks |
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Emergency/Rescue in any form |
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Expenses of
personal nature such as bar bills, laundry,
telephone calls etc |
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Any cost
arise due to flight cancellation, landslide,
road blockage, political disturbance etc |
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Any other
arrangements not mentioned in the above cost
include section |
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