Centeral Bhutan Historic Tour
Day One On arrival at Paro International Airport, Your escort from Dream Advanture who will accompany you throughout the trip, will be waiting for you. From the air port, then drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu river at chuzom
( confluence ).Three differrent style of chortens adorn the confluence. A short way beyond, on the left, is Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the hill of excellent horse. It is private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a mani festation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. After the narrow, rock lined section of the road opens up as Thimphu approaches, Simtokha Dzong lies enroute. Simtokha means the place of profound tantric teaching', this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel.
Day Two
Full day sightseeing of Thimphu valley: Memorial Chorten, National Library, Painting School, Traditional Medicine Institute, Tashichhodzong, Choki Handicrafts & Emporium.Overnight Thimphu.
NOTE : For our guest there is 20% discount on shopping from Choki handicrafts-the renown handicraft
Day Three
After breakfast proceed to Punakha. About 45 min from Thimphu, lies Dochula pass (3,100m), offering visitors their first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan range. A low lying sub tropical valley, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan untill 1955 and still it is home of Chief Abbot in winter months. Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung
Day Four
Ngawang Namgyal has played prominent role in civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored in its original splendour. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong and sightseeing. Overnight Punakha.Early morning drive to Trongsa via Wangdue Phodrang across Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundry between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude
enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Arrive Tongsa and check into the lodge. Dinner and overnight at
Day Five
After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling.Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 Kms from
the Yutong La pass (alt. 3,400 m). Further 13 kms ahead, the road enters into a wide, open,cultivated valley known as Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge.
Day Six
After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling.Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 Kms from Tongsa
road reaches the Yutong La pass (alt. 3,400 m). Further 13 kms ahead, the road enters into a wide, open,cultivated valley known as Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge.
Day Seven
Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred in the Kingdom and innumerable legends surround the area. It is here that the kings are cremated and the present royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, seeing include visit to Kurje Lhakhang (where the saint Padsambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), Jampel lhakhang which was built in 7th
century, then jakar dzong (the fortress of white tenzin rabgay ( the fourth desi), Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by terton pema lingpa ( the founder of religious treasures). Then visit kunchosum lhakhang and membertsho ( the flaming lake) in fact it is a gorge where the river runs through but the story says that pema lingpa discovered religious text from this lake.Also worth seeing are the woodcraft workshop, Traditional hospital, and the cheese factory Overnight in Bumthang.
Day Eight
After breakfast proceed to Gantey/Phobjikha via Trongsa. The approach to Phobjikha valley is through a forest of Oak and Rhododendron. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Overnight Gantey.
Day Nine
Morning proceed for Paro, enroute visit Simtokha Dzong visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Ta-Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong and Paro's market.Overnight Paro.
Day Ten
After breakfast, visit Drukgyel Dzong and take full day excursion to view the Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery.Overnight Paro.
Day Eleven
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.