11 Day-Nalakhar Festival Conquest Plan
Trip length: 11 Days and 10 Nights
Day 1: Arrival (Paro), Altitude: 2,280m
On your arrival at Paro airport, you will be received by representative. Drive downstream alongside the Pa Chhu River to its confluence with Wang Chhu (Thimphu River) then upstream to Thimphu, the capital of the country. Check in to the Hotel and have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. If time permits, we visit the Heritage Museum designed to exhibit Bhutan’s traditional artifacts. Proceed to Textile Museum and explore the Bhutanese art of weaving. 5 miles east from the town will take you to the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Fort in the Country built in 1629. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu!
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha
A drive for two and half hours will reach you to Punakha, the former capital of the country at 1, 300m. On the way, we will stop for a while for Dochula Pass affords scenic view of the Himalayas aside it’s 108 chortens built by Royal Mother Ashi Droji Wangmo Wanchuck to commemorate victory over Indian militants in 2003 and pay tribute to soldiers who lost lives. Upon reaching Punakha, visit the Dzong built in 1637 at the confluence of Mochhu and Phochhu. The fort symbolizes the master piece and uniqueness of Bhutanese architecture. Visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. Overnight in Punakha!
Day3: Punakha to Bumthang
We start early for drive to Bumthang from Punakha takes about 7 hours. Make a short visit to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, a 20 minute walk through the village of Sopsokha. On the way, you will have a view of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, now under reconstruction after major fire razed the fort to the ground. The district is known for bamboo works, state and stone carving. Upon crossing two major passes of Pelela and Yutogla at either side of Trongsa, we reach Bumthang for the night.
Day 4: Bumthang sightseeing-Day I
Known as the cultural capital of the Country, Bumthang beside its beauty is home to some of the sacred sites in the Country blessed by Guru Rinpochhe and Tertoens (Treasure Discoverers). Start your tour with the visit to Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor to witness the Nalakha festival. Colourful and rare display of giant silk Thangka (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambhava and other Buddhist Masters are the characteristic feature of the occasion. Proceed to Kurje Lhakhang housing the body imprint of Guru Rinpochhe. On the left flank of the Chamkhar Chhu, visit Tamzhing Lhakhang built by great Tertoen, Pema Lingpa, the ancestor of the Bhutan’s hereditary Monarch. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang!
Day 5: Bumthang sightseeing- Day II
Today we will witness the second day of Nalakha festival at Choekhor; the day is marked with colourful dances with people adorning best of the attires. Drive to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the country built in 7 th Century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Follow to Jakar Dzong located on hillock overlooking the town. Visit Thangbi Lhakhang in the heart of Thangbi valley built in 16 th century. Overnight in the hotel in Bumthang!
Day 6: Bumthang to Gangtey
The five hour journey from Bumthang to Gangtey passes via Trongsa, the ancestral palace of the ruling Wangchuck Dynasty. Trongsa Dzong is the seat of Trongsa Poenlop, the post assumed by Prince before accession to the Golden Throne. The Dzong in itself is the source of history. Built in 17 th century during the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong played significant role in bring Eastern Bhutan under the Drukpa regime while defending external invasions. Ta Dzong, the watch tower then is now converted to Heritage Museum. After crossing Pelela, we head toward Phobjikha Valley, the winter home for Black necked cranes which can be found in the months from November to March. Some short hikes in the valley will be tailored with you.
Day 7: Gangtey sightseeing
Phobjikha valley in which the Gangtey Goemba is located is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Himalayas. Favorable weather condition coupled with suitable environment has made Phobjikha one of the few winter homes of endangered black necked crane numbering around 600 cranes annually. The birds can be seen from November until March. The sacred Gangtey Goemba is the seat of venerable Gangtey Truelku and people from across the country make a visit to the Goemba. Some short hikes in the vicinity of the valley will be arranged for you.
Day 8: Gangtey to Thimphu
Five hour drive from Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang and Dochula Pass will reach us to Thimphu. Once in the capital, many sites are for visits. Visit the Takin enclosure, to see the national animal of Bhutan. Proceed to Kuensel Phodrang and have a sight of Buddha Dordenma Statue, the biggest of its kind in the world. After visiting Heritage Museum and Textile Museum, follow to Trashichhodzong, the throne room and the seat of Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Visit National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Make a short trip to Paper factory where you will get to see the art of Bhutanese traditional paper making. Overnight in Thimphu!
Day 9: Thimphu to Paro
Less than an hour drive will take us to Paro. At 2, 280 the weather in entire Paro valley is soothing for visitors. For today, we will make short trips in and around the town including Rinpung and Taa Dzong. Rinpung Dzong built in 17 th Century by Great Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyel has served as a key strategic place to defend the external intrusion and today is the seat of District Administration. Visit Taa Dzong, the Watch Tower, now converted to National Museum. There, you will get to see antiques, thangkas, textiles, armour and historical artifacts. In the evening, you may stroll freely in the town. Overnight in the Hotel!
Day 10: Paro sightseeing
After breakfast, start early hike to Taktshang, the Tiger Nest Monastery. Guru Rinpochhe is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress to meditate and convert the valley to Buddhism. The Monastery is miraculously built at vertical granite rock. After lunch at Taktshang Cafeteria, we visit Drukgyal Dzong, the Fort of Victorious Bhutan built after Bhutanese victory over Tibetans. Then, proceed to Kyichhu Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the Country and contemporary to Jampbay Lhakhang in Bumthang. In the evening, you may stroll freely in the town. Overnight hotel in Paro!
Day 11: Departure (Paro)
After breakfast, our representative and the transport team will reach you to the Airport for your flight. We bid you goodbye from Bhutan!