Day 1, 21st March 2015 (Saturday): INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT / DELHI / PARO / THIMPHU
Arrive Delhi by TK716 at 0525hrs and connect flight KB205 at 1150hrs to Paro. Reporting time 3 hours prior to flight departure.
The Group will rest within the International Terminal Transit Passenger Area without going through immigration formalities.
General Mohinder Chhatwal will join the Group at the International Terminal having checked in.
Arrive Paro at 1450hrs. You will be received by a guide and a driver with a vehicle and transferred to Thimphu the Capital Town 65 Km (1½ hours drive). The drive will follow the Paro river till the confluence with the Thimphu river and then up the Thimphu river valley till the Capital.
On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel.
Evening walk around in Thimphu town. (Optional).
Overnight Hotel Namgay Heritage / Hotel Kisa, Thimphu.
Day 2, 22nd March 2015 (Sunday): THIMPHU / PUNAKHA
After breakfast drive to Punakha (3-4 hours drive). Drive upto Dochula Pass (3150 metres) pass, in good weather provides a 180-degree panorama of distant Himalayan summits. At the pass you will also see the 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built in 2005 for the peace and stability of the Kingdom.
As you descend from the Pass until you reach Punakha, you will observe dramatic changes in vegetation. At the lower elevations, cacti, banana plants, poinsettias, and other semi-tropical plants dominate the exotic landscape. Enroute stop at Lam peri to see the wild Botanical garden & small Lake.
In Lobesa, take short hike to visit Chimed Lhakhang in the valley of Lobesa. Chhi-Med (means no dogs) Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley. The temple is dedicated to the famous saint, Drukpa Kunley, affectionately knownas the “Divine Madman”. The phallic paintings on the exterior walls of Bhutanese houses are attributed to the Divine Madman for his skill in warding off evil deities using ribald sexuality and outrageous behavior.
Visit the impressive Punakha Dzong (fortress-monastery), situated at the confluence of the Pho and the Mo Rivers. This huge fortress was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan, and served as the National capital until 1966.
Overnight Hotel Damchen Resort / Zangtoepelri, Punakha.
Day 3, 23rd March 2015 (Monday): PUNAKHA / WANGDUE
After breakfast drive to Wangdue (1½ hour drive).
Visit Rinchengang Village enroute Kichu Resort.
Check into the hotel.
Overnight Kitchu Resort, Wangdue.
Day 4, 24th March 2015 (Tuesday): WANGDUE / PHOBJIKHA
Drive to Phobjikha Valley (2 hours) situated at an altitude of 3000 meter in the Black Mountain range. Phobjikha is the winter habitat of the rare and endangered Black Necked Cranes.
Phobjikha Valley
Phobjikha is on the western slopes of Black Mountain National Park. The valley is a designated conservation area. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winter here (from late October to late March), it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. In addition to cranes there are also barking deer, wild boar, sambar, Himalayan black bears, and leopards.
Phobjikha Valley is circled by beautiful pine covered mountains. At the valley’s center, rising dramatically from a small ridge, stands Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. Gantey Tulku Rimpoche, the head lama of Gantey Gompa, is the ninth incarnation of Terton Pemalingpa, the famous 14th-century Treasure Revealer from Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s famous Buddhist saints and an ancestor of the ruling Wangchuck dynasty.
Gangtey monastery overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha Valley. The extensive complex consists of the gomba itself, the monks’ quarters, meditation centers, and schools.
Visit Gangtey Goemba.
Visit the Information Centre of the Royal Society for the Preservation of Nature.
Overnight Hotel Dewachen, Phobjikha.
Day 5, 25th March 2015 (Wednesday): PHOBJIKHA / THIMPHU
Drive to Thimphu , recrossing the Dochula Pass. Enroute you can visit Semtokha Dzong bulit in 1629 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal.
Check into the hotel.
-Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972.
- Visit Kuenselphug to see the 51.5 meters statue of Lord Buddha.
Overnight Hotel Namgay Heritage / Hotel Kisa, Thimphu.
Day 6, 26th March 2015 (Thursday): THIMPHU
After breakfast half day sightseeing including the following:
- Visit the Centennial Farmers Weekend Market to see how people come to do their weekly vegetable shopping.
- Visit the Takin Zoo to see the national animal. - Visit Zilukha Nunnery above Thimphu town to see lifestyle of nuns.
- Visit the Indigenous hospital where the tradition of healing with herbs and plants is still practiced. Also visit the Showroom where great varieties of herbal medicine are displayed for sale.
Rest of the day to relax.
Overnight Hotel Namgay Heritage / Hotel Kisa, Thimphu.
Day 7, 27th March 2015 (Friday): THIMPHU
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning till lunch to relax.
Half day sightseeing including the following:
-Visit the Textile Museum where a great variety of hand woven textiles of Bhutan are on display.
- Visit Dechenphodrang Monastic School to get an insight into how young monks live.
- Evening: visit the courtyard of Trashichhodzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.
Visit the Open Weekend Market where farmers from all over western Bhutan come to sell their Farm Produce and Handicrafts.
Overnight Hotel Namgay Heritage / Hotel Kisa, Thimphu.
Day 8, 28th March 2015 (Saturday): THIMPHU / HAA / PARO
Drive to Haa Valley (3-4 hours).
Haa is western-most valley in Bhutan bordering on the Tibet region of China. The valley is traversed by the Haa Chhu (river) and its character features are the three almost conical shaped hillocks considered to be holy by the local people - the first hillock is dedicated to Ap Chhundu, the supreme local protective deity of Haa.
After lunch sightseeing in Haa -
Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple) – 5 minutes walk from the highway. A legend says, that a white and a black bird flew from Tibet and sat on the place where the Lhakang now stands. This is the most important historic -religious site of Haa with Lhakhang Nakpo (the Black temple)
Lungsu Lhakhang – 5 minutes walk from the Uesu highway. It is the local temple for the villagers.
Dungcho Lhakhang – It is the Lhakhang of the local deity Ap Chundu, 30 minutes drive from the Uesu highway.
After sightseeing, drive to Paro (2 hours drive). The drive takes a gentle uphill climb through forests of blue pine, fir, oak and rhodendrons till the Chelila Pass. The Chelila Pass is at an elevation of 3810 m. and it provides a panoramic view of the northern and western Himalayan mountain ranges as well as Haa and Paro Valleys. Stop at the Pass and hike along the ridge to see the views.
From the Chelila Pass it is drive downhill for 36 km to the Paro valley. Enroute stop 15 Km below the pass to visit the Kila Nunnery. Currently there are about 40 nuns ranging in age from 15-80 who reside in the nunnery.
Check into the hotel.
Overnight Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa, Paro (www.naksel.com).
Day 9, 29th March 2015 (Sunday): PARO
After breakfast drive to Satsam Chorten 10 Km from town and take a hike to Taktshang Monastery. The hike will take about 5 to 6 hrs round trip. After one hour, you will reach the Viewpoint from where the Monastery can be seen across the gorge.
Taktshang is one of the most important pilgrimage place in Bhutan. Legend says that the great saint Padma Sambhava, known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, came here in the 8th century on a flying tigress who was actually his favorite consort, Yeshe Tsogyel. The great Saint came to Bhutan to subdue demons that were trying to stop the spread of Bhudhism. The cave where Guru meditated in 8th century can be still seen under the main temple.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa, Paro.
Day 10, 30th March 2015 (Monday): PARO
Drive up to Paro valley to visit the Drugyel Dzong, a ruined fortress. The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from thisfortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. On a clear day this spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Jumolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (Alt. 7329 m).
After visiting Drugyel Dzong, visit the Dungtse Lhakhang. This temple was built in the 15th century by Thangthong Gyalpo a Tibetan saint. This temple has some of the most beautiful wall paintings dating back to the 15th century.
Visit Kychu Lhakhang (temple). This is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan. The inner temple was built by a Buddhist Tibetan King, Srongtsen Goempo in the 7th century.
Rest of the day to relax at the hotel.
Overnight Paro.
Day 11, 31st March 2015 (Tuesday): PARO
Full day to attend the Tsechu (local village festival). Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.
Overnight Paro.
Day 12, 01st April 2015 (Wednesday): PARO / DELHI
Departure transfer to catch flight KB204 at 0900hrs to Delhi. Reporting time 3 hour prior to flight departure.
Arrive Delhi at 1050hrs. Please look for the name board as you step into the arrival lounge, you will be met and transferred to hotel Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar.
Afternoon visit to Jama Masjid Mosque that can accommodate upto 20000 people at a given time and then a rickshaw ride through the bustling alleys of 500 years old city – Chandni Chowk, where silver merchants ply their trade.
Farewell dinner hosted by General Mohinder and Mrs. Sushma Chhatwal at the private club ”The India Habitat Centre”.
Overnight Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar, Delhi.
Day 13, 02nd April 2015 (Thursday): DELHI / INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Departure transfer to catch international flight TK 717 at 0655hrs. Reporting time 3 hours prior to the flight departure.
Tour cost includes:
BHUTAN PART
• Accommodation on double occupancy
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Transportation throughout stay in Bhutan on as required basis. Vehicle at disposal
• Services of an accompanying English-speaking representative cum guide for all sightseeing as per the itinerary at Bhutan
• All monument & entrance fee as per the itinerary
• Bhutan Government Royalty fee
• Visa fees
• Tourist Development Fee at Bhutan
• International airline tickets (Paro-Delhi-Paro - quoted separately)
• All applicable taxes as on date
INDIA PART
• Accommodation on double occupancy
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Transportation by an air-conditioned coach
• Rickshaw ride at Delhi
• All applicable taxes as on date
Tour cost excludes:
• International airline tickets (Stockholm-Delhi-Stockholm (Quoted separately)
• Expenses of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone calls & camera fees etc.
• Tips to staff & portages including tips to English-speaking representative cum guide in Bhutan and vehicle drivers
• Alcoholic / Non alcoholic beverages
• Medical / travel or any other insurance cover
• Anything not mentioned in the program
• Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and flight delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions and
political disturbances etc.