Day 01 (Mon, 27th Feb’06) By KB : DEL/KTM-PBH

Druk Air’s KB flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of Himalayan scenery. Flying along the Himalayan ranges from Katmandu is a fascinating journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the Kingdom. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative who will take you to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a short orientation walk to Paro town. Over night stay in hotel. Alt. of Paro = 2200m.

Day 01 (Mon, 27th Feb’06) By KB : DEL/KTM-PBH

Druk Air’s KB flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of Himalayan scenery. Flying along the Himalayan ranges from Katmandu is a fascinating journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the Kingdom. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative who will take you to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a short orientation walk to Paro town. Over night stay in hotel. Alt. of Paro = 2200m.

Day 02 (Tue) Paro full day
After breakfast, drive to see Drugyal Dzong, an abandoned fortress that once repelled invasions of Tibetan and Mongol armies from the north. On the way back to Paro town, we will make a stop at Satsam Chorten for a view of Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) and also visit Kyichu temple built in the 7th century AD. Thereafter, we drive till an ancient wooden cantilever bridge and walk to see Paro Rimpung Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). After lunch in a local restaurant, we take an interesting drive of 2hrs. to Thimphu. Distance = 60km’s. Alt. 2300 meters.

Day 03 (Wed) Thimphu full day In the morning, we drive past SAARC building to take photographs of Tashichhodzong and valley below. Thereafter, visit the National Library (closed on Sundays and govt. holidays) which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, with some dating back several hundred years. We also visit the nearby Folk Heritage Museum and the Institue of Zorig Chusum, where a eight-year training course is given in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, followed by visit to Changangkha temple built in te 15th century A.D. In the afternoon, we visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Bhutan, which now houses a monastic community. Then, return to Thimphu and free time visit various handicrafts shops. After 5:00 visit Tashichhodzong.

Day 04 (Thu) Thimphu – Trongsa
In the morning, we drive to Dochula (pass) for panoramic view of the Himalayas. The Pass itself is spectacularly decorated by 108 stupas. Continue to Wangduephordang, one of Bhutan’s best agricultural regions. After an early lunch, we drive to Pelela Pass where yaks grazing among rhododendrons and magnolias are a common site on our way to Trongsa. Distance = 200kms/ 8-9 hrs drive. Over night stay in Hotel. Alt. of Trongsa 2200 meters.

Day 05 (Fri) Trongsa - Jakar After breakfast, visit Trongsa dzong, the ancestral home of the royal families. All four King’s have held the post of Trongsa Penlop (Governor) prior to being officially crowned. We will also visit the watch tower that protected the dzong for more than four hundred years. Then, we drive over the Yotong La, passing through the domain of yaks, sheep and short bamboo bush to the most serene and lovely Bumthang valleys, filled with ancient treasures of Bhutanese art, history and legend. In the afternoon, visit some of the oldest temples of Bhutan including Jambey, Kurjey and Tamshing. Distance = 68 kms/ 3 hrs drive. Over night stay in Lodge or Guest House. Alt. 2600 meters.

Day 06 (Sat)Jakar – Ura Valley In the morning, we drive through the picturesque country side passing through sheep pastures and yak herders – up to the Ura Pass at 3500 meters marked by a chorten. Bhutan’s highest mountain, the massive Gangkhar Puensum (7540 meters) can be seen today. From the pass, one can also walk all the way down to Ura village which takes the same time as going by coach. Upon arrival we will visit Zangtopelri temple and also walk through the main village and visit typical house where the traditional refreshments will be served. In the afternoon, we return to Jakar. Distance – 100 km’s round trip.

Day 07 (Sun) Jakar – Wangdue/Punakha After an early breakfast, we drive to Trongsa and then cross the Pele La to see Gantey Monastery (under renovation) in the isolated Phobjikha valley. The valley is also the winter place for the black- necked cranes which come to Bhutan each year from Tibet and the Qinghai Plateau. It is a mystery that these supernatural birds circle Gantey monastery three times upon arrival and again when it is time to depart. After picnic lunch, we continue to Wangduephordang or Punakha. Over night stay in hotel. Distance = 200 km’s.

Day 08 (Mon) Punakha festival (Drubchen) In the morning , we take a short drive to Punakha dzong that served as the capital until 1955, and even today is the winter home for the country’s central body of monks. Inside are courtyards where we will see monks dressed in antique silk-robes wearing terrifying masks, dances to the accompaniment of the boom of long brass horns, bells, drums, gongs and conch shells as they invoke the most terrifying gods to celebrate the ancient Himalayan Buddhist rituals, tradition that dates back thousands of years. During Drubchen festival there are no village folk dances as it is pure and sacred that has to be performed only by monks. In the afternoon, we will drive towards Talo (Royal Estate) and hike to Daleyda monastery.

Day 09 (Tue) Wangdue – Punakha full day After breakfast, we drive north of Punakha dzong, walk over hanging bridge across Mo-chu river and hike to Khamsum Yuele Namgyal Chorten (stupa). In the afternoon, we drive to Wangduephordang and visit the 400- year- old dzong located on the ridge with commanding view of the valleys and rivers below. We will a also visit the temple of Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman. Over night stay in Wangdue or Punakha.

Day 10 (Wed) Punakha Serda ceremony - Thimphu Today we witness the vivid pageantry and mystic spirituality of the Serda ceremony at Punakha. The Serda commemorates a victory over Tibet in the 17th century and is high lighted by the magnificent Golden Procession which re-enacts the battle. You will see galloping horsemen (warriors), officials in their best costumes, monks in antique silk robes holding numerous precious elements and above all, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan dressed in terrifying costume wearing a Black Hat which are all part of this unique festival. In the afternoon, we drive to Thimphu. Over night stay in a hotel.

Day 11 (Thu)Thimphu - Paro After breakfast we drive to Paro and visit a typical farm house. In the afternoon, we visit the only national museum of Bhutan set high above the village with commanding views of the entire valley. The museum here, housed in an ancient watch tower, has a vast collection of thangka paintings, textiles, old weapons and a nice display on the wildlife of Bhutan.

Day 12 (Fri, 10th Mar’06)By KB : PBH/KTM-DEL Early morning drive to airport for departure to Delhi
OR from 04th till 15th March, 2006. Entry/Exit can be through Bagdora airport (India).