Bhutan's Winter Journey
 21 Dec 08 - 01 Jan 09
From/To Bangkok
11 night package

 

Bhutan Land Arrangements & Package Inclusions:    

 

All inclusive package cost US$3138.00
 (per person twin share)
 

 

 

 

Sunday 21 December:

Early morning departure from your hotel for your Drukair flight to Bhutan.

After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred by car to Thimphu (1.5hrs), travelling through the spectacular countryside enroute to Bhutan’s capital. All the houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Thimphu, both by car and on foot. Visit the weekend market where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, chillies and many colourful local items such as yak tail duster, cups of butter tea, turquoise from Tibet, and musical instruments etc. For the more energetic take a hike up to the telecom tower to enjoy a stunning view of the valley.  
Overnight Thimphu– Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Monday 22 December:

Spend today sightseeing and walking in Thimphu and environs. This morning travel up the Thimphu Valley and hike to Cheri & Tango Goemba's. This afternoon visit the handicraft centre, the national library, the school of Thangkha where you can see young children learning the ancient craft of paintings or why not enjoy a round of golf.
Overnight Thimphu – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Tuesday 23 December:

This morning you will be transferred by car eastwards across the Dochu La (Pass) to the Punakha Valley. (3hrs 15mins) Pass the Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 and once the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley. Today it is a Theological university. Stop at Dochu La to view 108 Stupas and on a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya depending on the time of the year that you are visiting the vista can vary from alpine snow to a profusion of rhododendron blossoms splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and forest trees. This afternoon visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman), is a 20 minute walk from the road at Sepsokha to the temple.  It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing). Watch out for Great Black Cormorants fishing beside the river.
Overnight Punakha Valley– Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Wednesday 24 December:
 
Continue eastwards to Trongsa via Wangdue Phodrang. (5hrs 15mins) When the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong comes into view, notice the large cacti that cover the hillside below. These were planted long ago to discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. On your journey you can also view Rinchengang one of Bhutan’s oldest villages. This small village did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early 1990’s. The craftsmen of Rinchengang are sort after for their skills in construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs (temples).Continuing on to Trongsa via The Pele La (Pass) which crosses through the Black Mountains National Park and divides western and central Bhutan. This is the best place in Bhutan to see yaks from the road. Continuing on you will pass the village of Rukubji surrounded by extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley and wheat and keep a watchful eye out for Rhesus Macaques (Brown Monkeys). The Trongsa Dzong is perched at the end of the ridge and seems to hang in space at the head of the valley. The Dzongs location afforded it great power over this part of the country as the only foot and mule trail between east and western Bhutan lead straight through Trongsa and through the Dzong itself. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the Royal Family of Bhutan.
Overnight Trongsa – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Thursday 25 December:

This morning transfer to Jakar in the central Bumthang Valley region. (2 hrs 30 mins) The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys Choskhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. Walk through the town and up to the Tamshing Monastery where about 200 Monks reside.  Visit Wangdicholing Palace the Jambay & Kurjey Lhakhangs, which are the oldest monasteries in the kingdom.  All the Kings of Bhutan are cremated at Kurjey Lhakhang. Visit the Mebartsho (Burning Lake) a short walk from the roadside. This is one of the many sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Visit the Swiss farm and taste sweet cheese, apple brandy and locally brewed wine and beer.  Notice the large fields of buckwheat that cover the valley, and so buckwheat noodles and pancakes are a Bumthang specialty.

Visit the Ura valley the highest valley in Bumthang and believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan it gives you an insight into how the central Bhutanese live. The cobbled streets of the traditional village of Ura give a medieval feel.  The old women of this region still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and cushion.
Overnight Bumthang Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Friday 26 December:

At leisure in the Bumthang Valleys.
At leisure to explore the Bumthang Valleys as per the suggestions. There are numerous walks and short hikes to choose from in this region.             
Overnight Bumthang Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Saturday 27 December:

Transfer westwards today to the Phobjikha Valley. (4hrs 30mins). Around the Phobjikha valley the only electricity is from solar or mini hydro plants.  The valley is snowbound during the winter months.  Potatoes are this regions primary cash crop and are exported to India. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home of the rare black necked crane. There are also muntjaks (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes. While you are here why not stop and visit the Black Crane nature information centre, carpet factory and the sacred Gangtey Monastery.  Between late October and early February you can view the roosting place of the black cranes from a hide about 15 minute walk from the road.
Overnight Phobjikha Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Sunday 28 December:

At leisurely morning transfer to Punakha Valley (3hrs 45mins). Enroute stopping at Wangdue to wander the old shopping strip (soon to be demolished). At leisure to explore the Punakha Valley and its environs. There are numerous walks and short hikes to choose from in this region.
Overnight Punakha Valley - Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Monday 29 December:

This morning visit the Punakha Dzong, the second of Bhutan’s Dzongs which previously served as the seat of the government. Punakha Dzong is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body) and holds the title as the winter capital because of its more temperate climate. This afternoon is free to take another short walk or hike.
 Overnight Punakha Valley –  Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Tuesday 30 December:

Transfer westwards to the Paro Valley this morning (5 hours). Enjoy an orientation tour of the major features in the afternoon and visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower and view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and other artifacts. Why not take a stroll up the Paro main street for some handicrafts and visit the Paro Dzong with its cantilever bridge.
Overnight Paro Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel 

 

Wednesday 31 December:

This morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest).  The round trip to the viewpoint takes about 2 hours. The trip up to and enter the monastery takes 5 hours. The monastery clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000 ft above the valley floor and perhaps tour the old ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong, the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory (14km from Paro) from which the Bhutanese used to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 24,000 ft snow domed peaks of sacred Mt Jhomolhari can be seen.
 Overnight Paro Valley –  Traditional Bhutanese Hotel

 

Thursday 01 January:

Early morning departure from your hotel to Paro Airport for your onward journey to Bangkok.
 

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