Thimphu
Day 1 Phobjikha
Day 4 Altitude:
3,000m
Distance:
16km Khotokha
- Chuzomsa or Wangdue via Nizergang - Punakha (End of Trek) Day 7 Paro
Day 8 Dinner
and overnight at hotel in Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro. Depart
Day 10
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The
flight into Paro on the national airline, Druk Air, is a magnificent introduction
to the mystical beauty of our Kingdom. On a clear day, breathtaking views of the
world's highest peaks give way to the fertile green valley of Paro. After you
finish your immigration and custom formalities, our Representative will greet
you at the arrival entrance. After lunch drive for an hour to Thimphu, the capital
of the Kingdom. Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic
lights. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
His
Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. This
large Tibetan-style whitewashed Chorten is decorated with richly carved annexes
facing the cardinal directions, and features elaborate mandalas, statues and a
shrine dedicated to our beloved monarch. There are numerous religious paintings
and complex tantric statues housed inside reflecting both peaceful and wrathful
aspects of Buddhist deities. Next visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine
and Science where traditional medicines are made from medicinal herbs. There is
a day care facility where doctors diagnose patients and prescribe medicines/treatments
by reading the pulse of the hand of the patient. The Institute was established
in 1978. Next visit the National
Institute of Zorig Chusum commonly known as "the painting school". Students
follow a comprehensive course of 4 - 6 months that begins with drawing and progresses
through painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making. Then visit the National
Library - established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts.
It also houses many holy books and statues of important and religious figures
in the history of Buddhism and Bhutan. 
Ministries
and the office of the Prime Minister seat of the National government. It is the
summer residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body. Finally visit the
Government run Handicrafts Emporium shop, which has a variety of Bhutanese handicrafts
for sale.
an impressive collection of 108 chortens - the Druk Wangyal Chorten built in 2005.
On clear days, the pass offers panoramic views of the Bhutan Himalayan mountain
ranges. The pass is covered in lovely rhododendron forests during spring. Stop
for tea and snacks at the cafeteria located near the pass and if the weather is
clear you can view the breathtaking mountain range through a powerful binocular
at the cafeteria. After stopping for tea and the view, descend along a series
of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. In Punakha you will visit the
Punakha Dzong - originally christened Punthang Dechen Phodrang meaning Palace
of Great Happiness. The Dzong, remarkably located between 2 rivers - the Pho Chu
(male river) and the Mo Chu (female river) is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo
and the monk body. It is a short hike 
to
the Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 in honor of the Devine Mad Man, Lama Drukpa Kunley,
after the Lama subdued the demoness of the nearby Dochula Pass with his "magic
thunderbolt of wisdom". A wooden effigy of the Lama's thunderbolt is preserved
in the Lhakhang and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing)
from the saint. Many childless women have received their blessings. Overnight
at hotel in Punakha.
breeding ground for the endangered black necked cranes which migrate to the valley
from Tibet and Mongolia in early November and migrate back in early March. To
protect these endangered species from electrocution, the valley has no electricity
or telecommunication facilities. The people in this valley use solar energy for
and satellite communications. Visit the Crane Observation and Education Centre,
and enjoy activities such as early morning crane observation and counting/crane
study via the nature trails. The Royal Society established the Centre for Protection
of Nature (RSPN), the only NGO in the country. Dinner and overnight at hotel in
Phobjikha.
The
trail winds through meadows and fields, and then climbs through a mixed forest
of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron to the Tselela Pass (3,320m). Overnight
in camp.
views
of mountain. Overnight
in camp. 
Museum.
Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious
authority in the valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across
a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of
the innumerable archery grounds; archery is the national sport. 
landed
here on the back of a flying tiger. It is a short walk to the nearby ruins of
the Drukgyal Dzong which was built in 1647 by the founder of Bhutan, Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian
warlord, Gushri Khan in 1644. Strategically built over the only passage into Paro
Valley, the Dzong helped to repel numerous invasions through the course of Bhutanese
history. It so impressed the early visitors in 1914 that the Dzong was featured
on the cover of National Geographic. Also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in
7th century by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gompo, who is responsible for
the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. He built 108 temples in one day to subdue
a demon that was obstructing the path of the spread of Buddhism. Legend has it
that the demon was eventually subdued by pinning it on the joints and using the
temple as nails. Of the 108 temples, 7 are in Bhutan and the rest in and around
the Himalayas.If
you would like to speak with one of our staff, please contact us at 813.785.7154.
You may also e-mail us directly.
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