Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 8 Day Tour

Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 8 Day Tour.

Day 1: Arrival Paro International Airport and Drive to Thimphu.

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, The representative of Bhutan Historic Travel, your tour guide will receive you and Drive to Thimphu, the drive will take roughly Two Hours. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan since from 1974. Punakha used to the capital city of Bhutan before that. For the first one hour you will follow the Pa-Chu (Paro River) and reach Chuzom where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River and forms Wang-Chu (Chu means Water, River or Stream). Chuzom is a four direction motor road junction where one road leads to Thimphu, one to Phuentsholing the border town to India, one to Haa valley and one where you drove from Paro. It will take another One hour from here to Capital city, Thimphu. Check in the Hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 2: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to the National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces. Visit to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16^th Century. Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. Drive to Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

Visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. After Lunch drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 4: Punakha - Punakha

Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unifided Bhutan in 17^th Century.

Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty and dedicated to the well bring of the nation and love life of the Crwon Prince.

After Lunch visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. On the way back to Punakha Hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15^th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is belived that the couple who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 5: Punakha – Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu check in Hotel and explore the town.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 6: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. Check in Hotel and after a brief rest drive to National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D.

Visit the Bhutan’s oldest monastery the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Goenpo in order to subdue the Orgress in Tiber, he built 108 Stupas in Twenty Hours of time of which two are here in Bhutan, the one built on Left Knee is the Kyichu Monastery and next built on Left Toe is in Bumthang and it is called Jambay Lhakhang. The main deity inside the Monastery is the Buddha Maiteria which is commonly known as Future Buddha or reffered as Jow Jamba the same in Jokhang in Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Day 7: Paro – Paro.

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive Drugyal Dzong and on the way enjoys the view of the Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest temple”. Near the Drugyal Dzong, if the sky is clear we can see the Mt. Chomolhari on the background.

Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Drive to Airport Depart Bhutan

Early morning drive Airport and board the flight for onward destination.

Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

Thank You very much for visiting Bhutan with us at Bhutan Historic Travel and we look forward in hearing and re-organizing same Pilgrimage Tour for you, your family members and Friends!!!

Private Bhutan Honeymoon Itinerary

Private Bhutan Honeymoon for Ollie X 2 Pax

Day - 1 Arrive Paro

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Majestic Travel who will escort you to the hotel. Discuss and make necessary changes along with Tour Guide.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day - 2 Paro – Thimphu : Distance 2 Hours

The drive to Thimphu (Capital) through the winding road along the Paro and Thimphu river takes about 2 hrs. The distance is 65kms. On the way, 6kms before reaching Thimphu visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. Check in at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day - 3 Thimphu – Thimphu

Visit the National Library where a vast collection of ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting and wood craft school where children are taught the traditional art of wood craft and painting. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon: Pilgrimage and hour long meditation at Thimphu’s Nunnery centre the Zilukha Nunnery.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day - 4 Thimphu - Punakha/Wangduephodrang : Distance 77kms

After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, halt at Dochula Pass 3150mts. (26kms) for a hot cup of tea/coffee and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. (possible on a clear day). Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means “Male River and Female river “. It is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D. Wangdiphodrang lies 13kms from Punakha. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong and its small town is perched on a hill between two rivers. This Dzong also houses the District Administration office of the Wangdi district and the office and the living quarters of the district monk body. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D.

Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue/Punakha

Day – 5 Wangdue – Wangdue

After breakfast walk to the famous Devine Madman’s Monastery The Chhimi Lhakhang “No Dog Monastery” built in 1499. Today it is very popular because couples who are married for so many years and don’t have childrens but always desired go there and get blessed from the wodden Phallus and in another Nine months the wife gets pregnant. We will visit the monastery and meditate and picnic lunch will be served outside the monastery in a lush green ground. After Lunch drive to Punakha and visit the beautiful and legendary Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen mother of our Crown Prince.

Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue/Punakha

Day - 6 Wangdue – Trongsa

After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). The journey takes about 6 hrs with lunch stop on the way. After crossing Pelela at 3340 mts. Decend down to Rukhubji and then to Chendibji where your lunch will be served and circumambulate the Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century.

Day - 7 Trongsa – Bumthang

Morning visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower.The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.)

Day - 8 Bumthang –Bumthang

Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso ” The flaming Lake ” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.

Day – 9

Day excursion to remote and beautiful Ura Valley. Picnic lunch will be served. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day - 10 Bumthang – Gangtey

After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. 174kms from Bumthang. Overnight in Gangtey. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Overnight in the guest house.

Day - 11 Gangtey – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu (1250kms.) Lunch at Dochula Pass 3150m. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day - 12 Thimphu – Paro

Morning drive to Paro. After lunch visit National Museum and Paro Dzong. Overnight hotel in Paro

Day - 13 Paro

After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest.” The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs.

Day – 14 Day excursion to beautiful and remote Haa Valley.

Day – 15 Depart Part

Drive to Paro International Airport and see off by your Guide and Driver.

The reincarnation of the late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche

The reincarnation of the late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche, fondly known as Kusho Tshechu, was formally recognised and installed as a trulku yesterday at Dechenphodrang monastery in Thimphu by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.

The Druk Menjong Trulku Ngoezin Tshogpa, the government’s own committee for recognition of reincarnate lamas, also confirmed six-year old trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu as the reincarnation of Kusho Tshechu.

Born to survey engineer, Tenzin Namgyel, and Kunga Choden of Babesa, trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu, on a pilgrimage to Nepal showed extraordinary signs of spiritual birth while at the Sangay Choeling monastery, according to a news release from the committee. Sangay Choeling monastery in Nepal was his former monastic seat.

“To the surprise of the monastic attendants, he immediately recognised his own portrait, and that of his former master, Geshe Sherub Dorji, and called the attendant to late Lopon Tsechu rinpoche by his name,” the news release states. Trulku Jigme Choeying Norbu was then three years old.

Known as the Drukpa Lama in Nepal, and Kusho Tsechu in Bhutan, Kusho Tshechu was a revered lam and a source of inspiration and leadership for Buddhists in several regions in Nepal. Although he lived in Nepal, Kusho Tshechu maintained very close links with the royal family of Bhutan, starting from the second Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Wangchuck.

Kusho Tshechu became a student of Gyeshe Sherab Dorji at the age of 13, and left for Nepal to pursue studies in the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. At the age of 26, when Gyeshe Sherab Rinpoche passed away, Kusho Tshechu took over his root Guru’s responsibilities, which included the management of five monasteries, administering guidance and teachings to their monks, and strengthening of the Buddhist Sangha, particularly in the 17 northern districts of Nepal.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan members of the Parliament braced themselves

Settled around the semicircle sitting arrangement, members of the Parliament braced themselves for the almost four-hour long, state of the nation report.

The galleries were packed with dignitaries from international organisations, senior civil servants and other members of the public.

Standing up front at the Parliament hall, right below the elevated platform on which was stationed the speaker’s seat, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley stood at the podium, gently laying the almost 125-page report on it.

It was the culmination of compiling piles of report that he was lobbed with to work on between sessions of the ongoing National Assembly.

Following a gentle hem, Lyonchhoen began reading out the report that in the four-hour span encapsulated, as he reminded the parliamentarians, the nation’s and not just of the government’s, achievements, plans, challenges and concerns.

In his natural modesty, Lyonchhoen said he was unable to include all that transpired over the one-year period because of space and time constraints.

“Despite many challenges the government and the country faced, the report has never been about apology for failures and shortfalls,” he said. “It’s about strides we’ve taken forward as communities and as a family in pursuit of happiness.”

The beginning beamed with expressions of hopes, opportunities and convictions that left many an eye of the parliamentarians glittering.

“Ours is a land,” he paused, the creases on his forehead growing more prominent as he scanned the far end of the hall, “of peace and stability, where freedom, security and hope are not the stuff of dreams but an everyday luxury.”

Bhutanese, he said, were blessed with exceptional talent, confidence and grace, a youthful nation where the youth were imaginative, ambitious, bold and vocal complemented with attributes of being caring, spiritual and passionate.

“Indeed, we have as a polity, the making of a great democracy,” he said. “We have reasons to be proud to belong to this country.”

Speaking of democracy, the purpose of which, he said, was creation and sustenance of good governance.

Politically, he defined good governance as transparent and accountable functioning of elected representatives in carrying out their responsibilities, mindful of the electorate that entrusted them the office they held.

Economically, he said it was about prudent management of national resources and culturally, it was about preserving and enriching national heritage, both tangible and intangible, while strengthening the integrity and resilience of the Bhutanese social fabric.

The entire report was presented under the four pillars of GNH.

He occasionally lifted his right forearm to pop out his thumb, in the midst of his presenting the achievements in health, education, roads, electricity, mobile phone connectivity and employment sectors.

There were some major strides the government made in each of the sectors and the members of the Parliament, who otherwise were thought to have been enervated from the marathon presentation, seemed gripped by an articulate speaker.

Issues that ran contrary to GNH, the prime minister elucidated.

He said from wishing and striving to own a car just because a neighbour did, the case today was about owning one bigger and more fancy than the other, in doing which, vehicle population grew far higher than those of the neighbouring nations.

There, he said, was a misplaced priority, where instead of investing on land and homes that could be handed down to the progeny, many were interested in commercial goods.

In relation to that, he expressed satisfaction at the growing bicycle culture among, mostly Thimphu residents, but one that had to grow from mere fitness activity to using it as a mode of transportation.

Moving away from such serious subjects, Lyonchhoen often touched on something lighter such as Bhutanese film and music industry.

“There’s nothing a Bhutanese can’t do if we put our minds into something,” he said, referring to the fledgling film and music industry that was growing by the year.

Lyonchhoen said he was particularly pleased that the days of Bhutanese music borrowing tunes of the neighbouring nations was finally coming to a cease.

He then switched to a more serious matter such as the gap between the rich and the poor when talking about equity, which he said was a matter of great concern for the government.

In conclusion, the prime minister returned to his point on good governance that he began with and relentlessly hammered home one concern he always reiterated.

“State funding is crucial to keep the Bhutanese democracy clean and true to the people,” he said, adding that both existing parties had substantial loans. “Let’s forget our case, consider that of political parties that will emerge in future.”

He cautioned again that without state funding for political parties, those in future would be subject to governance on the whims of a few wealthy people funding the parties.

Lyonchhoen also cited countries that had good Constitutional provisions, laws and constitutional bodies despite which their process towards democracy failed.

“It is because of lack of good political parties,” he said. “Parties that existed to serve ends and aspirations that were different from that of the people’s.”

Source: Kuenselonline