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15 DAYS OF CULTURAL TOUR WITH WANGDI FESTIVAL AND DRUK PATH TREK

Time duration: 14nights and 15days.
Month & Date : Oct 5 till Oct 19^th 2008
Land Cost : $ 3100 per pax in a group of 3 and above.

Oct 5 Day 1: Bangkok to Paro : Acclimatize with Some Sight seeing in Paro valley:

During the flight, witness breath-taking views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, representatives of Bhutan Norphel Tours will welcome you to Bhutan. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang. After lunch, visit Ta-dzong, built in the 17^th century as a watch tower for Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1967. The museum boasts antique thangkas, textiles, weapons, armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Visit Rinpung Dzong built in the 17^th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders, The Dzong was built on the foundation of Guru Rimpoche and is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. A short walk below the dzong takes you across a traditional cantilevered to one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). Incase there is any archery tournament at Paro, you can witness Archery Match in the evening. Explore Paro town on your own. Night halt at Paro.
 

Oct 6 Day 2 : Paro to Thimphu. The drive from Paro to Thimphu is 2 hours.

Visit Arts & Crafts School, Nunnery, mini Zoo and hand made paper factory. Night halt at Thimphu.
 

Oct 7 Day 3: Thimphu to Wangduephodrang, with Afternoon Excursion to Punakha
In the morning, drive to Wangduephodrang across Dochu La (3,100 meters); on a clear day spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges are available.  After a scenic 2-and-a-half-hour drive to Wangdi, check-in to the Dragon’s Nest Hotel.  After lunch, drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. Visit the famous shrine of the Buddhist saint Drupthop Nagi Rinchen.  A Bhutanese picnic lunch will be served by the river side.  In the evening, walk across the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Divine Madman’s Temple {this is different from monastery above, is that correct?}, famous throughout Bhutan as the fertility shrine.  Overnight at Dragon Nest, Wangdi.
 

Oct 8 Day 4:  Watch Wangdi Festival for full day. Evening visit Wangdi Town. Night halt at Dragon Nest, Wangdi.
 

Oct 9 Day 5 : Wangduephodrang to Bumthang.

After breakfast, travel to Bumthang via Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family.  Via the 3,300-meter-high Pele La, the route to Trongsa is along a spectacular winding road. After reaching Trongsa, visit the Dzong, formely the main administration center during the second king’s reign, Trongsa Fortress is known as being a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. After Lunch, drive towards Bumthang, the religious heartland of the country with lush valleys and hilly forests.  Bumthang is one of the most beautiful valleys in central Bhutan, with an altitude varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters.  Over night at Bumthang.
 

Oct 10 Day 6: Hike to Tharpaling Monastery
Journey along a scenic forest trail on a 3-hour hike to Tharpaling Monastery, famously known as one of the most important monasteries built by Longchen Ramjamba, the famous saint in the Nyingmapa sect.  The monastery has several temples and a small number of monks reside on retreat.  From the monastery, you will have a privileged view of the Chumey Valley.  A picnic lunch will be served outside the monastery for refreshment.  In the evening, the town is the perfect place to relax, browse in local shops, and enjoy the nighttime beauty of the Bumthang valley. Over-night in Jakar, Bumthang

Oct 11 Day 7 : Bumthang to Wangduephodrang
In the morning, visit the oldest monastery called Jambay lhakhang and drive towards Wangdi. Lunch at Chendebji Chorten. If you wish you may practice your meditation next to the Chorten( Stupa ).  Over-night at Kyichu Resort.

Oct 12 Day 8: Wangduephodrang  to Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive towards Thimphu.  After lunch, visit a variety of handicraft shops around town and view several Thangkas and Bhutanese paintings. Get ready for Druk Path Trek.

Oct 13 Day 9: Druk Path Trek starts: Day 9 to 13

Druk Path Trek Starts. Druk Path trek can be done in 5 days which is not very strenuous.

The famous Druk Path trek from Thimphu to Paro Valley( or vice versa  is through Bhutan’s Prestine Mountains, Passes and Hidden Lakes. On this four Day, you will be crossing a chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although there are very few villages to see, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish at 4000 meters (13,000 feet) and spectacular rhododendron forests that bloom in May. In clear weather there are magnificent views of the high Himalayan peaks. The Druk Path trek can be done in all seasons, but the best times are from October to November and March to May and it is considered as Bhutan's best short trek.

Oct 13 Day 9: Trek Starts:

After breakfast we drive to Motithang, where our Druk Path begins. Your guides, pack horses, cooks will be waiting. All is provided for you except for sleeping bags, you need to only carry a light daypack. High altitude tents with trekking staffs are provided. Our destination today is Phajoding. The trek to Phajoding is an uphill climb through forested area of blue pine, fir and spruce. Bhutan is the least deforested country in the world, covered with 70% virgin blue pine forest. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about four hours. Phajoding provides an excellent view of Thimphu Valley and is also a retreat center for monks and nuns. You can visit some ancient monasteries and commune with the monks. Overnight halt at campsite Phajoding, altitude 11,000 ft. Bhutanese forklore by campfire as you dine on wholesome food prepared by your cooks. Night halt at Phojoding.

Oct 14 Day 10: Trek Continues

Depart Phajoding on our path to Jimilangtso. The hike today is about 5 hour hike, with less climbing. The trail continues with gradual climb up to Phajoding Pass, about 12,500 ft. From this pass you can enjoy a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges including Mt. Gankar Puensum which is the highest mountain in Bhutan at 24,890 ft. After crossing the pass, the trail slowly descends through juniper trees and alpine flowers. You will also come across yak herders with their yaks and have an opportunity to visit the yak herder's camp to enjoy yak milk and yak butter tea. Visit Alpine lake. Halt Jimilangtso.

Oct 15 & 16 Day 11/ 12

We are on our way to Jele Dzong . Today we will walk 7-8 hours, with lunch and rest stops. The trail starts with a gradual climb up to a high ridge through dwarf rhododendron and juniper trees. From the ridge, you can enjoy a great view of Paro Valley and Thimphu valley as well. After crossing the ridge it's a gradual down hill trail through cedar, fir, spruce and rhododendron forests. Occasionally you may see some monal pheasants and come across yak herder camps. You can also see Mt. Jichu Drake (23,000ft) and other famous peaks such as Jumolhari, Goddess Peak. Camp Jele Dzong.


Oct 17 Day 13: Trek Ends

Departing Jele Dzong toward Paro on our final day of our trek. A casual walk for us now requires 3 to 4 hours of downhill trails through rhododendron and pine forests and villages. You will enjoy beautiful views of Paro Valley, Mt. Jumolhari and other high peaks. The trek ends near the national Museum where you will be received by Norphel’s transportation crew and driven to Gantey Palace. Relax and enjoy a leisure lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy some leisure time to stroll quaint Paro village, relax at your hotel and/or enjoy a hot bath in the hotel. Dinner at cozy restaurant in Paro.

Oct 18 Day 14: Hike up to the Tigers Nest. ( Full Day Excursion) After breakfast, hike towards famous Taktsang Monastery ( Tiger’s Nest), perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley, Guru Rimpoche, the 8^th century saint is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress, he then meditated in a cave here for three months. Lunch at the cafeteria and hike up for another 45 minutes to the Monastery.  Audience with head lama with lunch and hike another 20minutes to the most devine female goddess’s temple. All the wishes are suppose to be fulfilled when we pray to her. This temple is also considered as one the most popular fertility shrine.

Short Meditation Section in the main temple. Night halt at Paro.
 

Oct 19 Day 15: Exit TASHI DELEK  

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