BhUTAN LhAYI ZEYDhAN TOURS & TRAVELS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY to Bhutan Happiness is a Place www.journey-to-bhutan.com
SPIRITUAL journey to Bhutan 13Days 12 Nights 13 Days Paro 6N Thimphu 3N Punakha 2N Gangtey 1N Entry: Paro Exit: Paro Itinerary overview Days Activity / Valley 1 Reception at Paro International airport 2 Explore Paro valley 3 Hike to Chumphu Lhakhang 4 Drive towards Thimphu, Explore Thimphu Valley 5 Hike to Cheri Goempa 6 Drive towards Punakha, Explore Punakha valley 7 Short Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten 8 Drive towards Gangtey, Explore Gangtey valley 9 Drive back to Thimphu 10 Drive back to Paro, Explore Paro valley 11 Hike to Tigers nest 12 Receive Empowerment from HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche 13 International Departure
china TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION 3 Punakha Bumthang 1 2 Paro Thimphu Phobjikha 4 BHUTAN Trongsa Mongar Trashigang Phuntsholing Sarpang Geylegphug Samdrup Jongkhar INDIA
Day 01 Arrive at Paro International airport Receiption at the Airport Altitude of Paro valley 2,250m / 7,382ft Flight Details: Friday 9th August, 2019 Kathmandu Nepal Paro Bhutan Depart 09:45 Arrive 11:05 Events for the day: Reception at Paro International Airport Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet Hotel check-in/ Briefing about the tour Dinner in a local resturant
Day 02 explore paro valley Visit Drakarpo Lhakhang The Lhakhang is one of the holy site of Padmasambhava. He visited this place in the 8th century and blessed it with his supernatural powers and left his footprints. It is said that a demon disappeared into rock and Guru Rinpoche split the rock and subdued it. Thus the name Dra Karpo, is derived from the rock that is split into four. Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel Drive to Drakarpo Lhakhang Picnic Lunch near Drakarpo Lhakhang Take a stroll around Paro town Dinner in a local Resturant
Day 03 Explore paro valley Hike to Chumphu monastery Hiking distance 4 hours walk We will set off early for a leisurely hike to Chumphu Monastery, where the Dorji Phamo, the flying Goddess also known as the floating statue is situated. It is said that Goddess Dorji Phamo flew here from Tibet and stayed on in the form of a statue. She is a life size statue and believe it or not, her one leg is crossed at the knees and the other is standing but doesn t touch the ground. Some people test this belief by passing a money note below her feet and it passes through smoothly without a hitch. There are water falls said to be the bathing place of Guru Rinpoche and there are big rock opening said to be opening gates to Heaven. The peace and joy you feel while visiting this temple is just amazing. After leaving your vehicle the walk is casual and not too tiring as the hike path goes through the forest with lot of shades and cool breeze.
Day 04 drive to THIMPHU valley Explore Thimphu valley Altitude of Thimphu Valley 2,320m / 7,656ft Driving distance Paro to Thimphu - 2 hours (65km) Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel Checkout from the hotel Visit Tamchoe Lhakhang which is located on the way to Thimphu valley. We will cross one of Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo s bridges to get to the Dzong. Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo built the iron chain bridges in Bhutan in the late 1300s, and is said to have built 108 of these bridges around Tibet and Bhutan. Many of them are still in use today, showing the strength and durability of these bridges. Hotel check in upon arriving Thimphu valley Lunch in a local restaurant Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu, dating back to the 12th centur Dinner in a local restaurant
Day 05 EXPLORE THIMPHU VALLEY Hike to Cheri Goempa Altitude of Cheri Goempa - (2859 m) Cheri Goempa, established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the founder of the Bhutanese state. The monastery, which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, located at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley about 15 kilometres from the capital. It sits on a hill above the end of the road at Dodeyna and it takes about an hour to walk up the steep hill to reach the monastery from there. Visit Painting school This institute provide instruction in Bhutan s 13 traditional arts. Students specialise in painting (furniture, thangkas - painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, cloths) or statue - making (clay). The showroom sells good - value pieces made by students. Visit Traditionl Hospital Established in 1988, one of the most interesting facilities in Thimphu is the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. There is an impressive, large laboratory and production facility that ensures the quality of the products, the components of which may include plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. The institute collects medicinal plants from remote corners of the Bhutanese Himalaya, such as Lingzhi, Laya and Lunana, and then distributes pills, tablet, ointments and medicinal teas to regional health - care units around the country. The small museum details some of the 300 herbs, minerals and animal parts that Bhutanese doctors have to choose from.
Day 06 DRIVE TO PUNAKHA VALLEY EXPLORE PUNAKHA VALLEY Altitude of Punakha Valley 1,310m / 4,300ft Driving distance Thimphu to Punakha - 2 hours 30 minutes (88km) Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel. Stop en route at Dochula pass to view the stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains Lunch at Lobesa Visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang. This small temple sits atop a hill in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the divine Madman, Drukpa Kuenlay, built a small chorten there. It is know locally as a pilgrim site for barren women. Hotel Check in Dinner at the hotel
Day 07 EXPLORE PUNAKHA valley Hike to khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten and visit Punakha Dzong Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel. Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten built by the queen mother for the well being of all living beings. It was built over the span of eight and a half years, with its design being drawn from religious scripture rather than architectural schematics. Picnic Lunch at Zamling Thang near river side Visit Punakha Dzong, which is the second largest and oldest fortress in Bhutan. Built in 1637, this dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from the distance Dinner at the Hotel
Day 08 drive to Gangtey valley Explore Gangtey valley Driving distance Punakha to Gangtey - 3 hours (70kms) Altitude of Gangtey valley: 3,000m / 9,800ft Start early today for Gangtey via Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then finally onto Phobjikha valley (3,100 m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo farmhouses and temples dot the landscape. The wide and picturesque Phobjikha valley is one of Bhutan s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes (November March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Gangtey valley Hotel check in upon arriving Gangtey valley Lunch Visit Goempa (Monastery), an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition. Monastery s history traces to the early 17th century and back to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa in the late 15th century Visit Farm house Dinner
Day 09 drive back to Thimphu valley Driving distance Gangtey to Thimphu - 4 hours 30 minutes (125 kms) Walk the natural Trail in Gantey and drive back to Thimphu A pleasurable walk (around 2 hours) that gives a nice feeling for Phobjikha valley. It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. After passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang, the trail ends at the local community school. Breakfast at the hotel. Events for the day: Start the day early for walking the Natural Trail Return back to the Hotel for breakfast Drive back to Thimphu valley Lunch in a local restaurant at Punakha valley Hotel check in upon arrving Thimpuh Drive to Buddha point Dinner in the Hotel
Day 10 drive back to paro valley Explore Paro valley Driving distance Thimphu to Paro - 2 hours (65km) Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Paro valley Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder, Thangton Gyalpo. This temple was originally built to subdue a demoness, and is therefore chained firmly to the ground. It s three floors represent Hell, Earth and Heaven L unch at a local restaurant in Paro valley Leisure walk around Paro town Dinner in a local restaurant
Day 11 HIKE TO TIGERS NESt On our last second day the tour, we take an exhilarating two-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger s Nest), one of the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top. Thereafter, spend the rest of the day at leisure in Paro, take a stroll around Paro Town to pick up some souvenirs.
Day 12 Receive Empowerment Brief Biography of His Hoilness Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche HH Ngawang Tenzin is a high reincarnation of the Drukpa Kagu lineage of Buddhism in Bhutan. He is reagrded as one of the most revered teachers of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage in Bhutan. He is the reincarnation of Drupuhob Chenpo Jinpa Gyeltshen who was alive in the 18th century. At the age of 45, the Royal government of Bhutan and the center monastic body chose him to become Tshenye Lopen, which means he is niw the recognised as aphilosophy master. Fiver years later, he beacme Dorji Lopen (Vajra master) and oversaw the monasteries and monastic practie of Drukpa Kaygu lingeage in Bhutan. Events for the day: Breakfast at the hotel We will visit Drangjay Goempa situated near HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche s retreat center, which was built in the 9th century by one of the Gyalwa Yangönoa s reincarnate, Bara Wa Gyeltshen Pelzang from Tibet. We will receive Empowerment from HH the monastery. Lunch at the monastery with HH and the monks Visit Kyichu Lhakhang with HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche and chant prayers together Dinner at the Hotel
Day 13 International Departure This morning you bid farewell to Bhutan. Your driver will take you to Paro International Airport We look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless enchantments. Flight Details: Wednesday 21st August, 2019 Kathmandu Nepal Paro Bhutan Depart 07:40 Arrive 08:40 Tashi Delek!
Hotel Olathang
Hotel Riverview
Zhingkham Resort
Hotel Dewachen
Bhutan Tour Package Price for 12 Nights 13 Days FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY USD 2700 USD 2350 The above Bhutan tour package prices includes the following: Accommodations in 3 star hotels All meals in Bhutan English speaking tour guide All internal transportation w Government royalties, taxes, and visa fee Arrangement of flights to Bhutan Visa processing All Entrance fees Mineral Drinking water The above tour prices do not include the following: Airfares (USD 450 Kathmandu - Bhutan) Travel and Medical insurance (recommended) Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry, and tips for guides and drivers
Bhutan Lhayi Zeydhan Tours & Travels +975 77 240 748 +975 77 755 933 info@journey-to-bhutan.com www.journey-to-bhutan.com