Highlights of the Dragon Kingdom

Highlights:

• Flight into Paro - Most spectacular of all mountain flights
• Meeting local people in natural setting
• Get dressed in Traditional Bhutanese Costume (Gho for men & Kira for women) one evening
• Special prayer ceremony for health and long life at private temple
• Hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyel Choeten - Introduction to Tantric Buddhism
• Traditional Bhutanese Archery - Bhutan's National Sport
• Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery - Bhutan's Cultural Icon
• Trip lead by one of Bhutan's best guide

Highlights of the Dragon Kingdom: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro
Arrive at Paro. Received by our local representative and transfer to local restaurant for lunch. On route visit drive straight to visit the weekend Market, which is a permanent set of stalls; vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon to and remain selling their goods until Sunday evening. It's an interesting place to visit, where people jostle with the Paro residents for the best and cheapest vegetables and foodstuff. This is the only time that fresh produce is available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up with the week's gossip. After lunch visit the Paro Dzong (17th Century Fortress) which now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. You will then hike down to the traditional cantilever bridge. One of the scenes in the film Little Buddha includes this bridge. Your transport will pick you up from the other side of the river. On your way to the hotel explore around Paro town. Evening at leisure at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Day Excursion to Haa Valley
After breakfast you will drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3900m). The drive is about 2 hours one way. If weather is clear you will have magnificent views of Mt. Jumolhari (7314 m) and Taktshang Goenpa (Tiger's Nest Monastery). Haa valley was recently opened to visitors and remains one of Bhutan's most pristine areas. The valley is dotted with fields of millet; barley, potatoes, wheat and farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted cornices and frames. On route you will view the Haa Dzong and stop for pictures. You will visit the 100 years old farmhouse owned by our local partner's grand parents. This will give you an idea of the way of life of Bhutanese families in the remote areas. Picnic lunch will be served on route. After lunch you will explore Haa valley with visit to Chundu Lhakhang at Hatey village. The visit to the Lhakhang (Temple) will provide an insight into the history of the valley. You will then return to Paro for the night. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Paro - Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu - the capital town of Bhutan. Upon arrival visit the National Library - a tall stately building in the traditional Bhutanese style that is the repository of precious and religious manuscripts written in gold. A stop will be made at the Institute for Zorig Chosum - a painting school where the traditional style of Thangka painting is taught. Next visit the Folk Heritage Musuem where you will have an insight into rural Bhutanese way of living. After lunch sightseeing begins with the visit to the Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in 1974 to honor memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The stupa is one of the most elegant masterpieces built in the 20th century with detail religious wall paintings and sculptures. Then visit the 14th century Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then drive Sangaygang - the viewpoint. It is also known as "Lover's Point," where young couples come to enjoy the bird's eye view of the Thimphu valley. Then you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as "Iron Bridge Builder" in Bhutan's history. It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. You will then visit the Handicrafts Emporium for souvenirs. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha - the ancient capital of Bhutan. The drive takes you across Dochula Pass (3100 m) which is marked by a large Bhutanese style Choeten, 108 small choetens and prayer flags. If weather is clear you will have an opportunity to enjoy the most spectacular views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. The road to Punakha descends from the pass through the magnificent pine and rhododendron forests and wanders through some of Bhutan's most spectacular countryside. Check in and lunch at the hotel. Afternoon lunch hike to Chimi Lhakhang - temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay. It's an easy hike through the rice paddies and Yuwakha village. The hike is 30 minutes one way. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Punakha - Jakar
Early breakfast and start your journey to Jakar. On route you will visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The location of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view over both the north-south and east-west. Lunch will be served on route at Chendebji. After lunch you will resume your journey to Jakar via Trongsa. After Trongsa the road starts ascending to the Yutongla (3400m). As you descend from the pass, your first stop will be at Chumey village. Here you will have time to admire the village weavers weaving woolen fabric popularly known as "Yathra." Yathra is a specialty of Bumthang valley. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Jakar (Day hike to Tharpaling Monastery)
After breakfast hike to Tharpaling Monastery. The main part of the monastery was founded by Longchen Ramjam (1308-1363). Tharpaling was built in 1352 and restored several times including by the First King, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck in the early 20th century. Tharpaling is an important and sacred religious place and all halls contain splendid paintings during Longchen's time. A stone throne of Longchen is an object of devotion to many Buddhists. It's a moderate all day hike through the forest of pine, oak and juniper trees. This hike offers panoramic views of Chamkhar valley with the Bhutanese Himalayas. Picnic lunch at Tharpaling. After lunch shuttle back to hotel for the night. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Jakar Valley Sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit Jambay Lhakhang. It's one of the 108 temples built in a day across the Himalayas by King Songtsen Goenpo who was believed to be the reincarnation Buddha of compassion. Out of 108, two are in Bhutan - Kyichu Lhakhang. The Jo Khang of the Potala Palace is one of the 108 temples built to pin down an ogress who was causing hindrance to the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. Next you will visit the Kurjey Lhakhang, which consists of three temples. The first one is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche and is considered the most holy. The first king of Bhutan, His Late Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck, built the second one. The third temple is the newest of all the three and is built by the present Royal Queen Mother, Her Majesty Azhi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck. These temples are surrounded by 108 small choetens (Buddhist Stupas) forming a retaining wall, symbolic of each joint of the human body. Wrap up your day with the visit to the Jakar Dzong (Fortress of the White Bird). Back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch explore the other side of Chamkhar valley on foot including visit to Tamzhing Monastery. This is an easy hike and offers great views of the Jakar Dzong, Wangduechoeling Palace (Summer Palace of the 2nd King) and Chamkhar valley. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Jakar - Punakha
After breakfast say good-bye to Jakar and travel to Punakha. On route we will visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) in Trongsa, which once guarded the Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellions. The Ta Dzong stands impressive and provides an insight into the historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history. It was renovated and converted into Musuem to showcase Bhutan rich cultural heritage and monarchy. Lunch on route at Chendebji. After lunch resume your journey to Punakha. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Punakha
After breakfast you will hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten built in 1994 by Her Majesty Azhi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for the well-being of the people and country. It's a moderate hike through the rice paddies and pine forests. The hike takes about 45 minutes one way. The view of the valley from the Choeten is magnificent. Then you will visit the Punakha Dzong and admire the beauty of the Bhutanese architecture where dzongs were built without iron nails. You will also have time to admire the paintings on the life of the Buddha. Lunch in restaurant in Khuruthang town. After lunch you will visit a private temple built by Lama Serpo (96 years old now) and time permitting you will have a brief audience with this extra-ordinary lama. Depending on the schedule of the Lama, we will also arrange a long-life blessing for our group at his temple. This will be a special treat since no other foreign visitors have excess to this temple other than our guests. You will have time to admire and take pictures of the intricate detailed wall paintings inside the temple. A special long life and good health prayer will be arranged for the group - Evening try the traditional Bhutanese Archery, your guide will help you with the archery. Archery is Bhutan's National Sport. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Punakha - Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum's collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Paro (Day hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking you through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. Overnight in Paro at hotel.

Day 12: Departure
Early morning breakfast and drive to the airport for departure. Your Delhi Airport Service representative will help with check-in formalities and bid you farewell.