Accommodation: Hotel, home-stay
Dates: 19th February till 12th March 2017
Days: 21 Nights & 22 Days
Day 2 ( 20th February; 2017 ): Drive to Trashi Gang (180 Km). 1070 m
Day 3 ( 21stFebruary; 2017 ): Around Trashigang
Day 4 ( 22ndFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to TrashiYangtse ( 1700 m, 52 Km, 1.30 Hrs)
Day 5 ( 23rd February; 2017 ): Drive to Mongar ( 1600 m, 124 Km, 4-5 Hrs)
Day 6 ( 24thFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to Lhuntse ( 1440 m, 76 Km, 3 hrs )
Day 7 ( 25thFebruary; 2017 ): Around Lhuntse.
Day 8 ( 26thFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to Bumthang ( 2580m, 274 Km, 8 hrs drive )
Day 9 ( 27thFebruary; 2017 ): Around Bumthang.
Day 10 ( 28th February, 2017) Hike to Ugyen CHoling Palace. Bumthang ( 2760 m, 130 m Ascent )
Day 11( 1st March, 2017) Hike to Nga Lhakhang (2800 m, 18 Km, 6-7 Hrs, 750 m descent and 670 m Ascent)
Day 12 ( 2nd March, 2017) Hike to Thangbe Gompa and drive to Bumthang ( 10 Km, 2-3 hrs.170 m descent )
Day 13 ( 3rd March, 2017), Drive to Trongsa (2100 m, 68 Km , 2-3 hrs. )
Day 14 ( 4th March, 2017): Drive to Phobjikha (2900 m, 90 Km, 5-6 Hrs )
Day 15 ( 5th March, 2017): Drive to Punakha (2900 m, 90 Km, 5-6 Hrs )
Day 16 ( 6th March, 2017): Around Punakha. Last day Punakha Drubchen.
Day 17 ( 7th March, 2017): Around Punakha. 1st day Punakha Tshechu
Day 18 ( 8th March;2017): 2nd day Punakha Tshechu.
Day 19 ( 9th March;2017): 3rd day Punakha Tshechu and drive to Thimphu. ( 2320 m, 76 Km, 2-3 hrs drive )
Day 20 ( 10th March;2017): Around Thimphu.
Day 21 ( 11th March;2017): Thimphu to Paro ( 2280 m, 65 Km, 1.30 hrs drive )
Day 22 ( 12th March;2017): Departure
TRASHI DELEK
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 in SamdrupJongkhar.
Day 2 ( 20th February; 2017 ): Drive to Trashi Gang (180 Km). 1070 m
After breakfast we will drive upward to Trashigang. 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. The night will be in a hotel Deothjung or similar in Trashigang.
Day 3 ( 21stFebruary; 2017 ): Around Trashigang
After breakfast we will walk to the ground where celebration will take place. We will wait for the chief guest to arrive who will be received in a chibdrel ceremony. As soon the guest enters the stadium the arm force will have a guard of honour followed by the drill along with the students and community. After we will enjoy the cultural performance by the students and the community.
After Lunch we will drive around to see the places around Trashigang. The night will be in Hotel in Trashigang.
Day 4 ( 22ndFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to TrashiYangtse ( 1700 m, 52 Km, 1.30 Hrs)
After breakfast we will drive towards Trashi Yangtse. On the way we will pass by Chazam and visit Gomphu Kora. Gomphu means the scared meditation site of Guru Rimpoche and Kora means Circumambulation. After the visit we will drive 28Km toward north to reach TrashiYangtse via Duksum, village of Tshenkarla and reach the valley of TrashiYangtse. The Dzong holds a most precious relic Chenresig stature which flew from Ralung (Tibet). The night will be a farm house.
Day 5 ( 23rd February; 2017 ): Drive to Mongar ( 1600 m, 124 Km, 4-5 Hrs)
After breakfast we will drive to reach Chazam then we will drive towards west to reach Mongar. On the way we will pass via Sherichu, Yadi and Korila and reach Mongar. The night will be in a Hotel in Mongar.
Day 6 ( 24thFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to Lhuntse ( 1440 m, 76 Km, 3 hrs )
After breakfast we will visit Mongar Dzong which is shared by the monk body and the office administrator of the Government. A large prayer wheel near the clock tower is the centre of attraction for the travellers.
After Lunch we will drive 76 Km towards north to reach Lhuntse. We will reach Autsho after 33 Km drive crossing few villages and suspension bridges. Then to-wards Tangma chhu and then towards Lhuntse. The river here is best used for rafting and Kayaking. The night will be in a home stay.
Day 7 ( 25thFebruary; 2017 ): Around Lhuntse.
After breakfast we will visit Dzong, drive to Dunkhar village which is the birth place of our first King Ugyen Wangchuk. Then we will hike 90 minutes passing the Drag Karpo and white Hermitage cave of Guru Rimpoche to reach Khoma which is the traditional weaving village. This village produces the most expensive outfit of Bhutan. The night will be in Lhuntse.
Day 8 ( 26thFebruary; 2017 ): Drive to Bumthang ( 2580m, 274 Km, 8 hrs drive )
It is a tiring Journey today. After early breakfast we will drive south to Gangola where we will take up a junction to Bumthang. We will have to ascend and descend many time via Yongkola, Sengor, Thrimshingla, Khandopang and then reach Ura village. If it is not late then we will have a look at Ura Lhakhang and then drive to Chamkhar where we will be welcomed by the members in a Hotel over a welcoming dinner.
Day 9 ( 27thFebruary; 2017 ): Around Bumthang.
After breakfast we will drive to visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastry, 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 Buddhism to these places.
Day 10 ( 28th February, 2017) Hike to Ugyen CHoling Palace. Bumthang ( 2760 m, 130 m Ascent )
Drive to Tang village which is very remote and beautiful. We will mingle up with the people around and then 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 religious studies, research and solitude.The night will be in a farm house in that area.
Day 11( 1st March, 2017) Hike to Nga Lhakhang (2800 m, 18 Km, 6-7 Hrs, 750 m descent and 670 m Ascent)
We will start with the hike to Nga Lhakhang passing through Tahung village, Phephe La (3360 m) and divert the way to Nga Lhakhang. We need to be very careful on he way because sometime a wild bear appears. The night will be in a home stay.
Day 12 ( 2nd March, 2017) Hike to Thangbe Gompa and drive to Bumthang ( 10 Km, 2-3 hrs.170 m descent )
After breakfast we will hike to Thangbe Goempa. We need to cross suspension bridge to to reach Thangbe Gompa. we will be picked up by our car from here and drive to Hotel for refreshment. Then in the evening we will move around Chamkhar town. The night will be in Hotel in Bumthang.
Day 13 ( 3rd March, 2017), Drive to Trongsa (2100 m, 68 Km , 2-3 hrs. )
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa (2100 M) and 68 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 14 ( 4th March, 2017): Drive to Phobjikha (2900 m, 90 Km, 5-6 Hrs )
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 a hotel.
Day 15 ( 5th March, 2017): Drive to Punakha (2900 m, 90 Km, 5-6 Hrs )
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 the hotel.
Day 16 ( 6th March, 2017): Around Punakha. Last day Punakha Drubchen.
After breakfast we will drive towards Punakha Dzong. We will walk over a tradi-tional bhutanese bridge to enter the Dzong. It is the winter residence of the monastic body and it has been a capital of Bhutan till 1964. The main relic of Bhutan is stored in this Dzong and you will find many buddhist Lhakhangs inside the Dzong. The Dzong lies in-between the two big rivers ( Pochu river and Mochu river ). We will enjoy the art and the architecture of the Bhutanese.
This is the final day to witness the dramatisation of the battle against the Tibetans and enjoy the scene performed by the lay men. Our guide will narrate a history of this performance.
Day 17 ( 7th March, 2017): Around Punakha. 1st day Punakha Tshechu
It is the first day Punakha Tshechu. We will witness the Mask dances performed by the monks which is very blessings. We will be mixing along with the citizens of Punakha in their festive dresses and know more about the unique culture of the people.
After Lunch we will drive along side the Mochu river to visit Do jaga lam Lhak-hang and hike to visit Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Lhakhang which was built dedicated to our 5th King to serve the nation and protect the country. Then we will visit the lhakhang in the town. The night will be in Punakha.
Day 18 ( 8th March;2017): 2nd day Punakha Tshechu.
The 2nd day festival is the dramatisation of death and life and the sufferings after death. you will also enjoy mingling with the local people and notice the secret of culture.We will also hike around and experience the the daily life around. The night will be in Punakha.
Day 19 ( 9th March;2017): 3rd day Punakha Tshechu and drive to Thimphu. ( 2320 m, 76 Km, 2-3 hrs drive )
Early morning we will walk towards the Dzong and we will witness the unfurl of Big Thanka of Lama Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and get blessings. Then we will witness the mask dance of Guru Padsambhava and his eight manifestation followed by some mask dance of the dog and the deer.
After lunch we will 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 view a valley of Punakha. We will drive down to reach Thimphu (2220 m). The night will be in a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 20 ( 10th March;2017): Around Thimphu.
A day starts with a drive to Dodena (19 Km from Thimphu) and climb a hill to visit Chhari Monastry or Tango Monastry. It has all meditators and we are not suppose to enter the boundary but we can enter the monastery and the lhakhangs and get blessings. After coming back we will visit Zulukha Nunnery centre, Dechen Phodrang Lobdra where more than 300 small monks gets buddhist education. We will also visit Trashichhodzong. If time permits we will visit traditional Painting School, Folk Heritage museum and Textile museum too. Night in Thimphu.
Day 21 ( 11th March;2017): Thimphu to Paro ( 2280 m, 65 Km, 1.30 hrs drive )
After early Breakfast, we will drive 65 Km, 1.30 Hrs drive to Paro and to the base of Taktsang Monastry. We will have to hike 2-3 hours to reach the clinging Monastery in the cliff. This Monastery 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, Kitchu Lhakhang, Paro Rimpung Dzong and The museum.
We will also look around the town and visit the temples in the town. You will enjoy the beauty of the village. The night will be in a home stay or hotel in Paro.
Day 22 ( 12th March;2017): Departure
After breakfast we will drive to the Paro International air port and bid farewell to have a safe journey back to your home.
TRASHI DELEK
Accommodation: Hotel, home-stay
Dates: 19th February till 12th March 2017
Days: 21 Nights & 22 Days
Price: $ 5,250/- ( US $ Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty only ) for one person.
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.