11 Nights 12 Days Bhutan Tour with Kathmandu
 

Day 01         Kathmandu

We will meet and welcome you on your arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel – BB basis

Day 02          Kathmandu

After breakfast we will take you to the world heritage sites of Kathmandu for sightseeing tour covering, Kathmandu Durbar square, Shyambhu nath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Overnight at the hotel – BB basis

Day 03          Kathmandu - Paro

We will transfer you the Kathmandu airport to take the flight to Paro. On arrive at Paro Airport and after going through the immigration formalities, you will be received and transfer to the Resort. If time permits we will bring you for a short sightseeing Tour.

Overnight at Resort- BB Basis

Day 04          Paro - Thimpu

After breakfast we will bring you to visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari (7320m) can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. We will take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. We will drive to Thimpu in the late after noon (2 hours, 65 Kms). Overnight at Hotel- BB basis

Day 05          Thimpu

In the morning we will visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. In the afternoon we will visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. We will visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and spent free time in the market.

Overnight at Hotel- BB basis

Day 06          Thimpu - Wangduephodrang

In the morning we will visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers, crossing the Dochula pass (3100m) from where on a fine weather day you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt. Gangar Punsum (7520m). We will further drive from the pass all the way downhill to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. We will drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, which serves as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession, known as the Punakha Serda, takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. We will further drive for 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area.

Overnight at the Resort – BB basis

Day 07          Wangduephodrang

Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make load noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.

Overnight at the Resort – BB basis

Day 08          Wangduephodrang - Bumthang

Today we will be driving for almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hours of drive we will arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was con trolled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. However visitors are not allowed inside the building. We will Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang (2600m) visiting the Chume weaving center.

Overnight at a Guest House – BB basis

Day 09          Bumthang

Bumthang has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. It is comprised of four smaller valleys, this deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend, where tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation, known as Tertons, still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. We will be visiting the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery (This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot).

Overnight at a Guest House – BB basis

Day 10          Bumthang

We will do an excursion for 2 hours to Ura village and visit the new Ura monastery, visiting the Mebartso, meaning burning lake. We will explore around the village and return back to Guest house. Evening walk to the swiss farm where apple juice, cider, cheese etc... are made.

Overnight at a Guest House – BB basis

Day 11          Bumthang – Wangduephodrang

We will drive back to Wangduephodrang and check in to the resort.

Overnight at the Resort – BB basis

Day 12          Wangduephodrang - Paro

We will drive 3/4 hours to Thimpu via Lobesa and a short walk through farm houses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple is visited mostly by childless couples. We will further deive to Paro visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university.

Overnight at the Resort – BB basis

Day 13          Paro

We will bring you for a day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery (Horses can be arranged with an extra payment). The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort.

Overnight at the Resort – BB basis

Day 14          Paro - Kathmandu

After breakfast we will transfer you to the airport to catch flight back to Kathmandu. We will receive you at the Kathmandu airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel – BB basis

Day 15          Kathmandu Departure

Departure transfer to Airport for onward journey

LAND COST ONLY US$ 1999 per person. Rate Valid till 31st Dec 2007. Please write us at sales@infinitytoursnepal.com for further details of the package and flight cost. Pre and post tours available.