WEST BHUTAN
TOUR - 10 DAYS
DAY 1.
KATHMANDU - PARO
The flight into the Bhutan Himalayas is one of the most
spectacular experiences you will ever witness. Flying in
from the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal towards the North East,
one can witness from the left side of the plane, a chain
of the world's highest and majestic peaks. Pay careful attention
when the Druk
Air captain
points out the names : Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the
rest as you fly pass them in minutes. Soon you will
descend into Druk Yul, and even as the plane lowers
it landing gears preparing for landing you will not find
any air strip or signs of a city, do not despair, instead
enjoy the view of the approaching valley and the primeval
alpine forests, the little monasteries, temples and farm
houses all in splendid isolation. Moments before landing,
you may catch a glimpse of the fertile Paro valley, the
colossal Paro Dzong and the winding Paro Chu river. As you
step out of the plane, take your first breath of cool, clean
fresh air, this will be your first free gift
Bhutan has to offer to the guest. After your Bhutanese
guide identifies you, he will escort you to the Olathang
Hotel on the hill.
DAY
2. PARO
VALLEY
The people of Paro are known for their hard work, which
they like to show in their big and traditional country houses.
If you marry a girl from Paro, be prepared to put a metal
roofing over the traditional shingle roof in your wife's
house, to show that you are a capable and well – to – do
husband, so we joke among ourselves. Morning sightseeing
includes : the Ta Dzong National Museum considered to be
one of the best natural history museums in Asia ; it has
a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts. A short
drive to the Drukgyel Dzong fortress, a strategic sentry
where the Bhutanese forces repelled the numerous Tibetan
invasions from the north ; the majestic Jumolhari or the
'Mountain of the Goddess' can be seen in the background
for many, the 2- 3 hour hike to Taktsang or the famous'
Tiger's Nest' is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here
that the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew in
from Tibet on a tiger to bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan,
retreat in their spiritual quest : the remainder of the
day can be spent shopping or simply strolling through town.
DAY 3
- 4. THIMPHU : THE CAPITAL OF BHUTAN
Thimphu is a short hour and half drive from one main
valley to the next across paddy fields, apple orchards,
farm houses, paddy stacks, farmers drying paddies on the
rosd, cattel, pine trees and hamlets that smell of burning
wood. Check in at the Jumolhari or Druk Hotels. When in
Thimphu be prepared for several things. This unique capital
(8000 feet) of the kingdom has adopted its own version of
the British – india colonial times traffic policemen, who
can startle you and memorize others with his elaborate hand
gestures : sometimes he may be signaling stop when it looks
like go but don't worry just observe the flow and notice
khis smile as you stare at him.
Sightseeing includes
the Tashicho Dzong, seat of the royal government and central
monastic body, it was rebuilt in the early 1960s after a
fire destroyed most of the building; the late King's Memorial
Chorten which is well visited by the residents of Thimphu
especially during the festive and religious occasions; the
Handicrafts Center to view the traditional arts now being
revived by the government : the Indigenous Medicine Hospital,
where herbal medicine, acupuncture and the ancient art of
healing that has passed
down from Tibet is still being practiced today ; if time
permits you can also visit the Thankha Painting School ;
silver and goldsmith village ; if you visit coincides on
a Saturday or a Sunday you witness the interesting 'Sunday
Market' so called even on Saturday ! ), you can delve into
the various vegetables, chilies, temperature fruits from
all parts of Bhutan, ( all grown without the use of pesticides
and chemical fertilizers ) ; not far from the market place
is the Changlimithang ground where you will always find
the game of archery ( the national sport of Bhutan ) being
played.
DAY
5. THIMPHU TO GANGTEY VIA PUNAKHA & WANGIPHODRANG ( 6 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, drive east climbing steadily towards
the Dochu La Pass at 10000 feet. A large chorten and forest
of prayer flags greet you as you face the range of majestic
peaks towards the North, Gangar Punsum , among others is
the highest unclimbed peak (over 24000 feet ) in the world.
The descent from the pass to valley is about 2 hours, with
a altitude drop
of over 5500
feet you pass through temperate forest colored with rhododendrons
and magnolias, down to the semitropical zone of orange,
banana and cactuses. Situated near the river on a small
plateau is the famous Chime Lhakhang for infertile women.
The Punakha Dzong built
in the 16th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
was the winter capital for 300 years; today it is winter
home to the Je Khenpo the chief Abbot, hundreds of monks, and also serves
as the asministrative headquaters for the Punakhadistrict.
Downstream from the Punakha valley is the Wangdiphodrang
Dzong strategically located on a ridge (4430 feet) over
looking the junction of the Sunkoshi Tangchu rivers; it
is the gateway
to central and eastern Bhutan. Legend has it that Mahakala,
the protective deity of Bhutan appeared to tell Shabdrung
of a prediction, saying; 'at top of a rocky spur where
two rivers meet, at the place where a flock of raven will
fly off in four directions, you will build the dzong.' As
prophesied by the deity the Shabdrung built the dzong in
1638. The Punakha and Wangdi valleys are also the winter
home for many of the high altitude farmers who migrate with
their cattle to the warm climate in the valley.
The numerous paddy
fields indicate the fertile conditions ideal for agriculture,
farmers here often grow 2- 3 crops a year , rice and chili
being important cash crops for the farmers. Stop for picnic
lunch at the Wangdi guest house.
GANTEY
After lunch, about 3 hours drive to one of the most beautiful
open valleys in Bhutan, Gantey is winter home to the rare
and endangered black necked cranes (grus nigricllis) which
migrate to Bhutan around mid November from Tibet and central
and eastern, Sikang, Yunnan and Tonkin in China. Cranes
have for centuries
captured the human imagination with their intelligence,
poise, sociality, beauty and freedom, which have given rise
to several myths, legends, folktales and songs. The Bhutanese
have their songs of the crane popular among village floks.
This year (1994) about 185 birds have arrived from Tibet
to feed in their traditional habitats in Gantey. By mid
February, the cranes fly back across the Himalayas to their
summer home towards
Tibet and China. The small village is dominated by the yellow
roofed Gangtey Monastery,
said to be the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan headed
by the Gantey tulku (ninth reincarnation to bear the name).
Overnight stop at Gantey in the vicinity of the monastery.
DAY
6–7. GANTEY TO JAKAR (BUMTHANG) VIA TONGSA (6 HRS)
For the bird enthusiasts an early morning excursion to view
the cranes can be arranged. After breakfast, continue journey
towards the Pela La Pass crossing the Black Mountains which
divide western and central Bhutan, takes about 4-5 hours,
magnolias and
rhododendron among grazing yaks are memorable sites along
the pass; on clear days the Jumolhari can be seen at 23,685
feet, towards the west. After passing through the domain
of yak, sheep and short bamboo brush, past the Nikkarchu
bridge is the Tongsa district ; the great white washed stone
chorten, built in Nepalese style in the 18th
century lies on a bend below the road. The temple was founded
by lama called Shida who subdued a demon that
was a menace to the valley.
TONGSA
As you approach Tongsa, you cannot miss viewing the 'never
reaching ' Tongsa Dzong in the distance, visible yet elusive
before you act ually get near it. Stop
for lunch at the Tongsa Lodge or one of the comfortable
wayside inns run by Tibetan residents. Commanding the Mangde
river valley at an altitude of 2200 meters ( 7220 feet)
Tongsa Dzong is the most impressive Dzong of Bhutan.
It used to be the old
gate way between the east and west. The Dzong
built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel is a masterpiece
in architecture that includes countless courtyards, passageways
and corridors, in addition to the 23 temples inside the
Dzong. After lunch is a short 2-3 hours drive to
Bumthang. Over night halt at Jakar Lodge.
BUMTHANG
Different from all the other vallleys in Bhutan is the
spacious and
open valley of Bumthang : ranging in altitude from 2600
meters (8530 feet) to 4000 meters (13125), Bumthang is a
haven for trekkers and hikers, not mention the numerous
beautiful and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage
sites, making it the cultural and historic center of Bhutan.
One could spend months exploring this fascinating valley.
Almost every little valley or a hill has a background of
interesting myths and legends about kings , Buddhist masters,
and serpents. Bumthang is especially dotted with the religious
relics left by the
famous Guru Rinpoche, and his reincarnation the Treasure
Finder, TertonPemalinga who is known to have found the scared
Ters or Buddhist Texts after diving into a lake ( Mebartsho
lake / pool ) with
a lighted lamp on his head among the many sightseeing
places are the Jakar Dzong, the Dzong founded by a white
bird ; the Jambe and Tamshing Lhakhangs, two of the oldest
temples dating to the 7th century in Bhutan ;
the Kurje Lhakhangs, where the kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation
rites ; besides the religious sites do not miss a trip to
the famous Bumthang Matha regions ( villages) where you
can find rich woolen plaid textiles dyed with natural colours,
and the Yatas, a thin woolen cloth with bright patterns
often made into warm jackets
and scarves.
DAYS 8.
BUMTHANG - WANGDIPHODRANG
(8 HRS DRIVE)
DAYS 9. WANGDIPHODRANG
- THIMPHU (3 HRS DRIVE)
This last day of your journey can be spent relaxing
in your hotel / lodge, or simply touring the vicinity of
Thimphu, shopping, meeting your travel agents and friends
; evening you have a choice to travel over to Paro for the
night or stay
back in Thimphu.
DAY 10.
THIMPHU -
PARO (2 HRS DRIVE) FLIGHT OUT
For
More Information: info@ecotrek.com.np
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