Itinerary

Day 0-2 Dec. 5-6th The Journey Begins!

Most folks will be leaving December 5th or 6th and will meet in Bangkok December 6th in the evening. Depending on where you live, you may need to leave on December 4th to make the flight to Bangkok. When you take the transpacific flight from the west coast of the U.S. to Bangkok, you lose a day when you cross the international dateline. Don’t worry. You’ll get the day back when you fly home! We will stay overnight at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (approximately $160.00 USD for a double room) near the new Bangkok airport (BKK) and wake up early for our flight on Druk airlines to Paro, Bhutan at ~7:00am.

Day 3 Dec. 7 (l, d) Bangkok to Paro (altitude: 7,400 feet)

We’ll gather in the hotel lobby in the early morning and, as a group, proceed to the airport to check in with Druk Air. If we are lucky, we’ll have glorious views of the snow capped Himalayas. On its way to Paro, Druk Air flies over eight of the ten tallest peaks of the world including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring beginning to our adventure. Already you can feel the pace of life slow down.

After visa formalities and collection of baggage, we’ll check into our nearby hotel in Paro where we will spend the first night. This afternoon, we’ll visit “Kuensel Phodrang” to see the world’s largest Buddha statue. It is located on a beautiful hill overlooking the entire Thimphu valley. The hill is covered with magnificent Himalayan blue pine. After Kuensel Phodrang, we’ll see the Memorial Chorten, a sacred temple in the form of a Stupa (representing Buddha’s body) built in honor of the current King’s grandfather. The Chorten is an impressive three-story monument with Tantric statues and wall paintings of three different cycles of Nyingma teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism. You may join many elderly people making the Kora (pilgrimage circuit).

Later in the evening, we’ll visit few interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand-woven textiles, carpets, jewelry, Bhutanese wooden products, and other gift items.
Accommodation: Hotel Druk Sherig (a centrally located family owned small hotel) or similar

Day 4 Dec. 8 (b,l,d) Punakha/Wangdi valley (altitude: 4,500 feet)

This morning, we’ll spend few hours in Thimphu visiting the Bank to exchange money and Bhutan Post to see/buy some of world’s most beautiful stamps. On our travel to Punkaha (approx. 3 hours), the road winds through pine forests and small villages, and passes by Chortens (Stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to Dochula Pass (10,000′). Here we’ll see 108 special Chortens (Stupa) surrounded by thousands of prayer flags, dedicated to the Kingdom’s Peace and Gross National Happiness. The prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes, transmit prayers to the Gods and keep up a constant communication with the heavens. In good weather, one can view the entire range of the Bhutan Himalaya from the Pass.

We continue our drive through a beautiful forest of rhododendron, magnolia and other wild flowers. This is also a good bird-watching area. Bhutan has a stunning 770 bird species, including many that are globally threatened. The country has been identified as one of the ten most important bio-diversity hot spots in the world (those places that together constitute less than two percent of the globe’s surface area but contain more than 50 percent of its biodiversity). Its ecosystem harbors some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas with over 2000 varieties of flowering plants including 50 species of rhododendron.

In the village of Lobesa, we’ll enjoy a relatively easy hike to visit Chimmi Lhakhang (Divine Madman). This is a 16th temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman.” The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and is famous pilgrimage site for childless couples. This is an easy hike: approx. 45 minutes gradual up to the temple & 30 minutes back to the road.
Accommodation: Meri Puensum (a family owned small hotel) or similar.

Day 6 Dec. 9th (b,l,d) Punakha/Wangdi valley (altitude: 4,500 feet)

This morning, we’ll enjoy a hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten (Stupa). This is a moderate hike: approx. 1 hour up to the temple & 45 minutes down back to the road. A visit here is a good introduction to Tantric Buddhism in all its complexities. It contains some of the best Tantric art in Bhutan, and a visit there will serve as a balance to the more traditional Buddhist statuary and wall painting visible at the Punakha Dzong. The shapes and forms of the Tantric statues may surprise most visitors. The terrifying divinities are manifestations of peaceful gods, which assume these forms to subdue evil spirits that are hostile to Buddhist doctrine.

The nudity of most of the deities show that this world’s conventions are of no importance on higher planes, and the persons being crushed by the wrathful deities are either spirits hostile to Buddhism or primordial negative concepts such as ignorance, jealousy and anger. In Tantric Buddhism, numerous statues and paintings are also in the form of sexual union, which represents the union of compassion and wisdom that permits the attainment of sublime state of enlightenment.

Later in the day, we will visit the Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the man who unified Bhutan. The Dzong lies between the Po Chu (male river) and the Mo Chu (female river), and is the winter home of the Central Monk Body. When the Shabdrung arrived in Punakha, he set up a camp at the confluence of the two rivers and that very night had a dream in which he heard the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche. He then built a Dzong on that spot and placed the Rangjung Kharsapani there, the most sacred relic that he brought with him from his monastery in Tibet.

A devastating flash flood in 1994 washed away a major part of the Dzong. His Majesty the King personally supervised the reconstruction of the Dzong, a project that has occupied thousands of skilled craftsmen and builders during the past twelve years. The results of the restoration are amazing. You will be seeing the most magnificent architectural and artistic masterpiece in the Kingdom, just consecrated in an elaborate ceremony in May of 2003.
Accommodation: Meri Puensum (a family owned small hotel) or similar.

Day 7 Dec. 10th (b,l,d) Tongsa (altitude: 7,200 feet)

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Tongsa (approx. 3 and a half hours) enjoying magnificent views of small villages, terraced fields, diverse forests of exotic Himalayan plants, trees and wildflowers. As we climb higher up and above the cloud the forest gets more beautiful with big 30-40 feet rhododendron trees, and massive hemlock and fir trees. Near the Pelela Pass (10,825 feet), we’ll see yaks in fields of dwarf bamboo.

Before reaching Tongsa, we’ll see the 18th century Chendebji Chorten, a whitewashed stone Chorten (or Stupa) built in order to nail into the ground a demon who had been terrorizing the inhabitants of the valley. The first sight of the Tongsa Dzong (a “Dzong” is a fortress), the largest in Bhutan, is from across the valley. But the road winds another 12.5 miles before we’ll actually get there. Magnificent views around every turn!

Once in Tongsa, we will visit Dzong and explore the surrounding area. Built in 1647, it is the largest Dzong in the country. It is also the ancestral home of the Royal Family, and both the first and second kings ruled the country from Tongsa. The Dzong sits on a narrow spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde-Chu River and overlooks the routes east, west and south. It was built in such a way that in the olden days, it had complete control over all east-west traffic. This helped to augment the strategic importance of the Dzong which eventually placed its Penlop (regional ruler) at the helm of a united country when His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck became the first king of Bhutan. To this day, the Crown Prince of Bhutan becomes the Penlop of Tongsa before ascending the throne, signifying its historical importance.
Accommodation: Yangkhil Resort (a family owned small hotel) or similar

Day 8 Dec. 11th (b,l,d) Bumthang (altitude: 8,500 feet)

After an early breakfast, we’ll continue our drive (approx. 3 and hours) east to Jakar (Bumthang), crossing the Yutong La Pass (11,200 feet). As we near the first of the four beautiful valleys of Bumthang, Himalayan blue pine dominates the landscape. In the village of Chumey, we’ll stop at a special wool shops. This place is famous for Yathra weaving, colorful handwoven woolen textiles.

In Jakar, after an early lunch, we’ll visit Membar Tso or “The Burning Lake” in Tang Valley. This is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan. In the 15th century, Pema Lingpa, one of the great Tertons “Discoverers of Hidden Treasures” of Tantric Buddhism, jumped into the lake with a lighted lamp, and after a couple of hours emerged back with the lamp still burning holding a statue and a treasure chest containing Tantric Buddhist sacred texts. The lake became known as Membar Tso or the burning lake. It’s a great pilgrimage site, visitors make wishes, say special prayers and float small lighted lamps on the water. We will all have a chance to make our own wishes, say our own prayers and float a lighted candle, mounted on a piece of wood, on that sacred section of the river.

Later in the day, we’ll visit several temples, including Tamshing Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Saint Pema Lingpa and containing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan. We may also be able to visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. According to legend, Jambay Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in AD 638, by a Tibetan Buddhist king in order to overcome a giant ogress who laid across regions of the Himalayas in order to prevent the spread of Buddhism. The central figure in the sanctuary is the statue of Jampa, the Buddha of the future.
Accommodation: Hotel Peling or similar

Day 9 Dec. 12th Bumthang (altitude: 8,500 feet)

Bumthang is one of the most beautiful and sacred areas of Bhutan, known for the visits of Guru Rinpoche, when he was bringing Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche is considered the second Buddha and the founder of Tantric Buddhism. The open and wide valleys filled with fields and farmers, and the gentle slopes of beautiful mountains dotted with many sacred temples and monasteries, make for an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast, we will hike up to Shukdrag Gompa, an ancient meditation monastery built around a sacred cave, where Guru Rinpoche meditated during the 8th century. We begin with a nice and easy walk through small villages of Thangbi, a magnificent valley surrounded by rolling hills covered with Himalayan blue pine. This is a place for us to be thoroughly “off the beaten track.” This is a moderate to strenuous hike: approx. 2 hours up to the temple & 1.5 hours back to the road.

After crossing a long Mani-Wall (stupa dedicated to the Buddha of Compassion) near the village school, we gradually climb up a small hill and several beautiful streams. The sacred stream below the temple is being fed by five different springs that the local people believe were created by five Dakinis (angels). Water of this stream turns a stone grinding wheel inside a small hut. Local people carry their buckwheat and wheat all the way up from the village to be ground here. They believe that their foods get blessed by the five dakinis. From it is a short steep climb through a magnificent forest up to the temple.
Accommodation: Hotel Peling or similar

Day 10-11 Dec. 13-14th (b,l,d) Phobjikha Black Neck Crane Valley (altitude: 9,000 feet)

After breakfast, we’ll drive (approx. 5 & a half hours) back past Tongsa crossing the Yutong-la and Pele-la passes to the hidden valley of Phobjikha in the Black Mountains National Park. Circled by pine and rhododendron covered mountains, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. The rare Black Neck Cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan and use the swampy center of this valley as their winter residence from mid November to mid March. Considered a symbol of peace, black-necked cranes have been revered by Bhutanese people for centuries.

We’ll spend a full day hiking, walking and seeing these rare and endangered cranes in their natural habitat. We’ll also visit the Crane Information Center, run by a non-government nature organization, to learn more about the cranes. Later in the day, we’ll also visit Gantey Gompa, one of the most important private monasteries in the country. Perched atop the ridge overlooking the valley, the Gompa is directed by Gantey Tulku, the ninth reincarnation (a “tulku” is a reincarnate) of Pema Lingpa. According to the Buddhist tradition and as a mark of their devotion, the cranes circle the monastery three times on their arrival in November and before they fly back to Tibet in March. We may also have a chance to visit with some of the monks who reside in the monastery.
Accommodation: Hotel Dewachen or similar

Day 12 Dec 15 Thimphu (altitude: 7,700 feet)

After breakfast, we’ll travel back to Thimphu (approx. 5 & a half hours) crossing the Dochula Pass. Once in Thimphu, we will have the rest of the day free for independent sightseeing, walking around the small town on your own, or rest.
Accommodation: Hotel Druk Sherig (a centrally located family owned small hotel) or similar

Day 13 Dec. 16th (b,l,d) Thimphu Special Prayer Ceremony

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll attend a special prayer ceremony with a Buddhist Lama (teacher) and monks and nuns. The ceremony offers prayers and blessings to benefit all sentient beings. Sharing lunch with the monks and nuns who perform the prayer ceremony, we then have a rare chance to receive another special blessing and introductory teachings on Buddhism from the Lama.

For the rest of the day, we explore Bhutan’s exotic capital city—a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary life. There are a number of options. We can visit the Farmer’s Weekend Market where Thimphu residents mingle with villagers in an interesting urban and rural blend. Many visitors also enjoy visiting the handmade paper factory along with some interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand-woven textiles, carpets, jewelry and Bhutanese wooden products. Other choices include: a chance to see Bhutanese Archery Game – Bhutan’s national sport and an integral part of all festivities. A visit to the Takin Preserve for a chance to see the takin, Bhutan’s national animal. The takin is an interesting animal that resembles a cross between a gnu (African wildebeest) and a musk deer. It has a large head and a thick neck. There are also some very nice short day hikes.

This evening, we will have a farewell dinner of home cooked traditional Bhutanese foods together with a special cultural program of mask dances, folk songs and dances. These are the same dances that are performed in Tsechu Festivals.
Accommodation: Hotel Druk Sherig (a centrally located family owned small hotel) or similar

Day 14 Dec. 17th (b,l,d) Thimphu/Paro Bhutan’s National Day Celebration

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll attend Bhutan’s National Day celebration at Changlingmithang National Stadium. There will special procession, mask dances, cultural programs and folk dances and songs. We’ll see and mingle with a huge crowd of Bhutanese people and officials dressed in their best national costume. We may even have the rare opportunity of seeing the King and listening to his National Day address to the nation.

After an early lunch, we’ll return to Paro for our last two nights in Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, we will visit the 7th century Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. It was built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds down the left foot of an ogress so huge that she covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Namgay or similar

Day 15 Dec. 18th (b,l,d) Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Hike (altitude: 7,400 feet)

After breakfast, we’ll hike to the magical monastery known as Taktsang (the “Tiger’s Nest”). Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan World. The monastery itself is perched on a granite cliff that drops 2,000 feet to the valley floor. The name is derived from a legend that Guru Rinpoche flew across the mountains to this spot on the back of a tigress, reaching a cave in which he meditated for three months, converting the people of Paro Valley to Buddhism during his stay.

The path starts with a gradual climb through a forest of oak and rhododendron. After crossing a small stream with two enchanting water-powered prayer wheels, the climb gets steeper arriving at a small chorten surrounded by prayer flags near a teahouse and a spectacular view of Taktsang. That will be our lunch stop. Those who choose can hike further, all the way up, to visit the great temples.
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Namgay or similar

Day 16 Dec. 20th (b,l,d) Paro to Bangkok

Back to the airport to depart from the Land of the Thunder Dragon and return to Bangkok. Today we leave our hosts and make our way back to the airport and get ready for our flights home. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives.

Day 17 Dec 21st (-) Bangkok to Home

You will cross the dateline again, arriving home on the same day that you leave Bangkok.

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