DAY 04: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
Morning, in Thimphu visit to National Library: which has
fascinating collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and texts,
the Painting School : famous for traditional thangkha paintings and
Traditional Medicine Institute: where centuries old healing arts still
practised. Then proceed to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,100m). The
pass is marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags. The
pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern
Himalayas . Arrive Punakha and check into the hotel. Untill 1955,
Punakha served as the capital town of Bhutan and still it is the
winter seat of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Visit to Punakha Dzong,
built by Shabdrung Ngawang, Namgyal in 17th century and situated at
the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Later visit to Punakha
town and market. Over night at the hotel in Punakha.
DAY 05 : PUNAKHA - WANGDIPHODRANG - GANGTEY
(PHOBJIKHA)
After breakfast drive to Wangdiphodrang and visit Dzong which
is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. The position
of Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands
an impressive view over both the north- south and east-weat. Wangdi
district is also famous for its bamboo work, slate & stone carvings.
The approach to Phobjikha valley is through a forest of Oak and Rhododendron.
Phobjikha is one of the few glacial
valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate
from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore
Phojikha valley and also visit to Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa
monastery in Bhutan . Overnight Guest House / Camp.
DAY 06 : GANGTEY (PHOBJIKHA) - TONGSA
Morning explore Phobjikha valley for Black Neck Cranes and
later drive to Tongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m). This pass is traditionally
considered the boundry between Western and Central Bhutan . Further
ahead stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten built in 18th century in Nepalese
style. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular and for miles on
end the dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever
reach it. On arrival, check into the lodge. Dinner and overnight at
thelodge in Tongsa.
DAY 07 : TONGSA - BUMTHANG (JAKAR)
Morning visit to Tongsa Dzong, situated at the altitude of
2,200 m and built in 1647 by the Shabdrung it is the most impressive
dzong in Bhutan . Then visit the Ta Dzong, standing on the side of
the mountain and built to guard Tongsa. After lunch proceed to Bumthang,
one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland
of Buddhism. 29 kms ahead of Tongsa cross Yutongla pass (3,400m) and
from here again the landscape looks different and dense forests of
conifers stretches. The arrival of Bumthang beings with wide, open,
cultivated Chumey valley. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
DAY 08 : BUMTHANG
Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys
- Chumey, Choekhor,Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600 m
to 4,000 m. Visit to Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred place
in Bhutan as Guru Rimpoche meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a
tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to the Jambey
Lhakhang. Like Kyichu Lhakhang in the Paro valley, this temple is
said to be the first that King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet constructed
in 7th century. Afternoon visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501
by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting Buddhist paintings. Later
see the Jakar Dzong, the dzong of the white bird'which houses the
administrative seat of the district and is the only dzong in the country
that does not contain a Drukpa monastic community.
Evening take a stroll through Bumthang market area. Dinner and overnight
at the lodge in Bumthang.
DAY 09 : BUMTHANG - MONGAR
The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged
terrain.The drive, with spectacular views will take about 6 hours.
Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the
highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass - 12,465
ft. Graduallydrop down to Sengor, watching cascading water falls on
the way.The descent stops at 2,130 ft., on a bridge over the Kurichu.
Ascent again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets
to Mongar town. Visit Mongar Dzong, built albeit quite recently, the
dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs.
Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
DAY 10 : MONGAR - TASHIGANG
This trip of about 96 kms takes 3 hours passing through Kori
la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chorten and a stone
wall. The first part of journey is through a leafy forest filled with
ferns. Later road descends rapidly through corn fields and banana
groves arriving the famous zigzags of Yadi which is a recent settlement.
After that follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Dametsi,
this temple perched on top of steep hill was founded by Choeden Zangmo
and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan . This is the
place from where the famous Naga Chham, mask dance with drums, originated.About
30 kms onwards lies Tashigang at 3,375 ft. Tashigang is the centre
of the biggest and most populated district in the country. View the
Tashigang Dzong standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging
the Gamri river. It serves as the administrative seat for the district
and part of the dzong is occupied by Drukpa monastic community. Overnight
at the lodge in Tashigang.
DAY 11 : TASHIGANG ( EXCURSION TO TASHIYANGTSE
)
24 kms from Tashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora , set
on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is the
famous place where Guru Rimpoche meditated in order to subdue a demon.
Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see women busy
in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric. Visit to Tashiyangtse Dzong,
situated at the altitude of 1,850 m, was established just after the
Drukpa conquest in around 1656 and later completely renovated in 1976.
In former times Tashiyangtse was important centre because it lies
on one of the carvan routes leading from western and central Bhutan
. Evening return to Tashigang. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in
Tashigang.
DAY 12 : TASHIGANG - SAMDRUP JONGKHAR
Tashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar road completed in 1965 and the
journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way see Sherubtse College ,
the only college in country founded in 1978. Also visit Zangtho Pelri
temple built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs and represent
Guru Rimpoche's paradise.Driving ahead reach to Khaling to visit Blind
School and Weaving Centre. Deothang, 80 kms from Khaling is the centre
of Technical training college and road maintenance head quarters for
the east. From here the road descends fairly rapidly to the plain
through a dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo
and ferns. Overnight at the lodge in Samdrup Jongkhar.
DAY 13 : SAMDRUP JONGKHAR - GUWAHATI
After breakfast drive to Guwahati, the capital town of Indian
north eastern state of Assam , for flight to Delhi / Calcutta or onward
tour programme in that region
