2. Chorten Kora (circumambulation )
3. Visits Monastries, Lhakhangs and Dzongs.
4. Festival of Gasa and Paro
Day 2 ( 24th March, 2017): Trashigang
Day 3 ( 25thMarch, 2017): Trashi Yangtse
Day 4 ( 26th March, 2017): Mongar
Day 5( 27th March,2017) Bumthang
Day 6( 28th March, 2017): Bumthang
Day 7(29th March, 2017) Bumthang
Day 8 ( 30th March, 2017): Trongsa
Day 9 (31st March, 2017): Phobjikha,
Day 10 ( 1st April, 2017): Punakha
Day 11 ( 2nd April, 2017): Gasa
Day 12 ( 3rd April, 2017): Gasa Tshechu
Day 13 ( 4th April, 2017): Thimphu
Day 14 ( 5th April, 2017): Thimphu
Day 15 ( 6th April, 2017): Thimphu
Day 16 ( 6th April; 2017): Paro (2280 m)
Day 17( 7th April; 2017): Paro
Day 18 ( 8th April; 2017): Paro
Day 19 ( 9th April, 2017), Paro to Delhi and transit to your home.
TRASHI DELEK
Arrive at Samdrup-Jongkhar (250m) and it is 101 Km, 2 hour drive from Gowahati. You will be received by our guide and enter the country at Samdrup Jongkhar which is the boarder area of Bhutan and India.you have to collect the stamp in your passport from the Bhutanese traditional gate and enter the country.The night will be in a hotel.
Day 2 ( 24th March, 2017): Trashigang
After breakfast we will drive upward to Trashigang(180 Km). 1070 m. We will pass through the town of Dewathang, Tshelingkhor, Wamrong, Khaling, Kanglung and then reach Trashigang. We will cross through the fields of corns and potatoes.We will visit the Dzong and nearby places. The night will be in a hotel Deothjung or similar.
Day 3 ( 25thMarch, 2017): Trashi Yangtse
After breakfast we will drive 20 km to the north where we will reach Gomkora. It is an extraordinary picturesque temple. Gom or Gomphu means sacred meditation site of Guru Padmasambhava and Kora means circumambulation. It has body impression of Guru Padmasambhava on a rock. It also has a scared objects locked in a glass cabinet and statues of chenrisig and other statues.
Then we will drive via Doksum village. We can also see a serviving chain bridge built by Thongtong Gyalpo after a flood in 2014. We will drive by Tshenkharla v lage to reach Trashi Yangtse. If time permits we will visit the nearby areas and Dzong. The night will be in a guest house.
Day 4 ( 26th March, 2017): Mongar
After early breakfast we will drive to Chorten Kora. Since it is the last day of the Kora, we will see many people taking part in Kora ( circumambulation ). We will also see people of Arunachal Pradesh taking part.We will also join the people to gain merits. After Lunch we will drive to Mongar (1600 M) 134 Km drive from Chorten Kora. The night will be in wangchuk hotel or similar.
Day 5( 27th March,2017) Bumthang
After early breakfast we will visit Dzong and other nearby places. Then we will drive to Bumthang ( 2580 m) 193 Km drive. On the way we might find rare houses and settlements. The roads are narrow and have to take many turnings. We will be crossing Yongko la and Thrinshing La and then reach Ura village. We will be welcomed by the members of River lodge hotel over a dinner.
Day 6( 28th March, 2017): Bumthang
We will have a pilgrimage Tour here. We will drive to visit Jakar Dzong, Sey (gold) Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Mona-stry,,Thangbi Lhakhang and some historical places where we will find the body prints of Guru Rimpoche and other great saints who were in these places to subdue the demons and bring religion to these places. We will also explore on town and the other places.
Day 7(29th March, 2017) Bumthang
Drive to Tang village where we will see the Tang Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake). Then we will drive to village which is the remotest one. We will hike 17 km and 45 minutes uphill to reach Ugyen Choling Palace built by once Trongsa Penlop deb Tsokey Dorji.The place has turned to a Museum. it provide a place for religiouse studies, research and solitude.Then we will hike back and drive to the hotel.
Day 8 ( 30th March, 2017): Trongsa
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa (2100 M) and 65 Km drive.We will pass via Youtong la and visit Trongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong (Trongsa Museum), Thrue Pang Palace, Kuenga Rabten Palace and Yurungchhoeling Palace. The night will be in Trashi Ninjay Hotel or similar.
Day 9 (31st March, 2017): Phobjikha,
After early breakfast we will drive through Chendeje chorten. We will have a tea or coffee in the guest house here and know about the chorten. we will pass through Pelela Pass (3390 m ).Then we will drive to Phobjikha valley (2900 m ) which is a bowel shaped glacial valley. If we are lucky we will see a flocks of black backed cranes. The night will be in Nga Yapling resort.
Day 10 ( 1st April, 2017): Punakha
A day starts with visit in the Gangtay Gompa Lhakhang. Then we will visit Wangmo Hand woven carpet factory and we will enjoy the beauty of the village. Then we will drive towards Punakha via Wangdue Phodrang town. We will also look at the ruins of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and enjoy the scenery of Puna Tsangchu and Bhajo Town. Then we will drive towards Punakha where we will be welcomed by the members of Damchen Resort or similar.
Day 11 ( 2nd April, 2017): Gasa
A day starts with the visit to the Punakha Dzong (1250 m). It is the 2nd Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and it served as a capital and seat of the Government over 300 years ago and now it the winter residence for the central monastic body. Then we will drive north ward and visit Dojaga Lam Lhakhang and hike to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Lhakhang which was built dedicated to our 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.
After Lunch we will drive towards Gasa ( 2770 m) towards north. On the way we will enjoy the scenery of the village. We will be camping here as there is no good hotel and the local house.
Day 12 ( 3rd April, 2017): Gasa Tshechu
It is a Festival day and we will see many citizens of Gasa in their festive dress and ornaments. Besides we will like the dress of Layaps which is very unique. We will enjoy the remote culture and the festivals. In the afternoon we will have a sightseeings of the Gasa town and mingle with the people of Bhutan.
Day 13 ( 4th April, 2017): Thimphu
After breakfast we will drive down to reach Punakha and drive to Lobesa to visit Chhimi Lhakhang. It is the Lhakhang of Divine Madman Lama Drukpa Kuenley. You will be gifted with the child if you Pray and wish for.
Then we will drive through the narrow road where we will reach Dochula Pass (3116 m). In Dochula we will have a visit at 108 chortens and Druk Wangyel Lhakhang which were built for the memory of a boarder war in 2005. if the weather is clear we will also see the mountains around and viewa valley of Punakha. We will drive down to reach Thimphu (2220 m). The night will be in a hotel Phuntsho Pelre or Similar.
Day 14 ( 5th April, 2017): Thimphu
After breakfast we will visit Memorial Chorten, the tallest sitting Buddha; Buddha Point, Changangkha Lhakhang, The Takin zoo, Hike to Wangdue Tshe Lhakhang where you will see the secret of the 4th King’s palace, Zulakha Nunnary, Dechen Phodrang Monastry. The lunch will be served in a local hotel. In the evening we will have a shopping time in the capital city.
Day 15 ( 6th April, 2017): Thimphu
After Early breakfast we will drive 19 km towards the north where we will reach Dodena. Your guide will have a historical story of this place. We will cross a cantilever bridge where we will find a sculpture of Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and a chorten. Then we will hike around an hour to reach Chhari Monastry. It is a well known holy place for the monk body and the meditation centre for the great saints.
Then we will drive back and continue visiting Trashi Chhodzong, Painting school, Indigenous hospital where we will get the herbal medicines. We will also visit Folk Heritage Museum, Bhutan Textile Museum, Bhutanese paper factory, Vegetable market and then with the walk in the town we call a day.
Day 16 ( 6th April; 2017): Paro (2280 m)
After breakfast we will drive to Simtokha in the south of Thimphu valley to see the first Dzong built in Bhutan by Zhabdrung Rimpoche. Then we will continue our drive towards Chhudzom where Paro Chu and Thimphu Chu meets, where it is the Junction of four Dzongkhags (Paro, Thimphu, Haa, Phuntsholing ). Then we will drive towards Paro. On the way we will walk over an Iron Chain Bridge and visit Tamchu Lhakhang of Thongthong Gyalpo. In Bonday, south of Paro, we will visit Drak Karpo known as white cliff and Tshenden Incense factory.we will be welcomed by the members of Olathang Hotel or similar.
Day 17( 7th April; 2017): Paro
After breakfast we will walk towards the Paro Rimpung Dzong via Nyamai Zam ( a traditional wooden bridge) to witness the Tshechu. We will mix around with the different people in their festive dress and enjoy the mask dance performed by the monks and get blessings. We will spend the whole morning watching the festival. In the afternoon we will enter the dzong and look at the art and architecture of Bhutanese. Then we will drive to visit National Musium which is at the top of the Dzong. if time permits we will visit Dumtse Lhakhang and Chhoeten Lhakhang.
Day 18 ( 8th April; 2017): Paro
After early Breakfast, we will drive 15 Km towards the north to reach the base of Taktsang Monastry. We will have to hike 2-3 hours to reach the clinging Monastry in the cliff. This Monastry is the Jewel of Bhutan and one must visit this. This is an important place of pilgrimage. According to legend Padmasambhava arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated there. After going down we will visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, Satsam Chorten and Kitchu Lhakhang. We will also look around the beauty of the village and town.
Day 19 ( 9th April, 2017), Paro to Delhi and transit to Paris.
Early in the morning at around 4:00 am we will drive and walk towards the Paro Dzong where people will be lined up with the Chibdrel ceremony for the display of the Guru Tshengay Thongdrel ( a big Thanka of eight manifestation of Guru Rimpoche ). It is displayed in the early hours in the morning and folded before sunrise. The Throngdrel is more than 350 years ago.His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Queen will be there to grace the Throngdrel. One must attend the unfurl of Paro Throngdrel and get blessings for the present life and the next life.
Then we will drive to the hotel for breakfast and then we will drop you in the Paro International Airport and bid farewell for your journey back to home.
TRASHI DELEK
Accommodation: Hotel, home-stay
Dates:23rd March - 9th April 2017
Price: $ 4750 Tour in Bhutan only.
From our guests
Annie Harriz
It was very satisfying trip to Bhutan. We were welcomed by the guide Gasay Lhendup in the airport and provided a royal service throughout the trip. Both the driver and the guide were very helpful, efficient, attentive, expert, courteous ++++ Both of them were with a big smile throughout the trip. The food is different and spicy. May be we were too french.Guibert Nicolle Dominique Henriette
It was perfect: Sangay is a careful driver, always in a good mood. Gasay gave us all the explanation we needed and made sure everything is ok for us.