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Bhutan tour
operator›› Historical Central Bhutan Tour !
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Day
01: Arrive Paro (By Druk Air flight)
Your Guide from Bhutan Yak Adventure Travel will receive you
at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel.
After Tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built
in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and
unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dziong was destroyed by accidental
fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great
victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts
and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt.
Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang,
built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This
Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan
region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay
across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie
in other neighboring countries. Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 02: Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten,
the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the
trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove
of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments
at the Taktsang Jakhangi (cafeteria) and then walk a short
distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach,
Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around
Guru Rimpoche'sii meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of
Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings
to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters
into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava,
the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD,
flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said
to be his favourite consort. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built
in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which
now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung
Dzong (literally meaning "Heap of Jewels"), the
centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built
in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.Ini the evening, drive
to Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 03: Paro - Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974)
built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and
the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in
Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient
Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional
art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of
painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After
lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where
medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and
to Lungtenzampai to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese
paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to
the Tashichhoi Dzong, seat of the national government and
the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence
of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit
the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs
in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 04: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum,
Changangkha Lhakhang and Philatelic office. After lunch, visit
Silver smith at work and Hand made paper factory. Over night
in Hotel.
Day 05: Thimphu - Punakha
(72 Kms, 3 hours drive). After breakfast, drive to Punakha
via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while
at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop
a while to view Chimii Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa
Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his "Magical
Thunder bolt". The Temple is also known as "the
Temple of Fertility". Lunch at Punakha. After lunch,
visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female
river). For many years until the time of the second king,
it served as the seat of the Government. The construction
of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted,
"a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks
like an elephant". There was a smaller building here
called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha.
It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep,
to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping,
the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed
him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect
conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with
the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was
named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness).
The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans
are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence
of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new
national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening, hike to Khamsung
Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 06: Punakha - Gangtey
After breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey.
Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrangi includes:
visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates
that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong,
four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This
was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of
religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated
at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further
to Gangtey. On arrival check in to Gangtey Gompa House. Visit
Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley,
the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded
the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendupi, the second
re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang
Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa
monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries
including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley,
famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Dinner and
overnight at the Guest House.
Day 07: Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the
most impressive dzong of Bhutan, built in its present form
in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent
by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end
of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is
the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two
hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit
Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta
Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme
Namgyal. After Lunch, drive to Bumthang. Over night in Hotel.
Day 08: Bumthang Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means
"The Castle of White Bird". The current structure
was built in 1667 and then visits Lamey Goemba, a large palace
and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi.
Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet
in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to
Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhui Raja after Guru Rimpoche
restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a
lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October
one of the most spectacular festival, "Jambay Lhakhang
Drup" is staged here. After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron
Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian
King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang.
The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar.
The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th
century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit
Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche,
built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple
of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and
is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. In
the evening, visit Membarstho which literally means, "The
burning Lake". Over night in Hotel.
Day 09: Bumthang - Thimphu (212 kms)
Early breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 10: Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast, visit Simtokha Dzong built in 1627 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal. This Dzong is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan
and presently houses a Monastic school. The stroll in the
town/visit Handicraft emporium. After Lunch, drive to Paro.
Visit a Farm House. Over night in Hotel.
Day 11: Departure
Early morning, drive to Airport |
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