Bhutan - Dragon Heart experience -12 days

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Fly Kathmandu – Paro: 2380m/7382ft: Lunch at Paro (Full Board)

Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by representative of Basanta Adventure. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 02: Paro Sightseeing. Then drive to Thimpu: 2317m/7600ft, 65km – 2 hours drive: Lunch at Thimpu (Full Board)

Visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the Dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The seven loors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Evening drive 2 hours to Thimpu (65kms).  O/N at Hotel River view OR similar in Thimpu (AP)

Day 03: Thimpu Sightseeing: 2317m/7600ft: (Full Board)

AM sightseeing -  visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimpu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight same. O/N at Hotel Riverview OR similar in Thimpu (AP)

Day 04: Drive to Wangduephodrang. Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong: 3100m/10168ft, 70km – 3 hours drive: Lunch at Wangduephodrang (Full Board)

Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochula passes 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt. Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort OR similar in Wangduephodrang (AP)

Day 05: Visit Gangtey Gompa Valley: 2800m/9184ft: (Full Board)

Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make load noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort OR similar in Wangduephodrang (AP)

Day 06: Drive to Bumthang: 3000m/9840ft, 68km – 2.5 hours drive: (Full Board)

Today will be a long drive almost 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was con trolled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. O/N at Karma Tobden Guest House OR similar in Bumthang (AP)

Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing: 2600m/8528ft: (Full Board)

Bumthang altitude 2600m has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit the Jkar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. O/N Karma Tobden Guest House OR similar in Bumthang (AP)

Day 08: Visit Ura Village: (Full Board)

Excursion 2 hours to Ura village and visit the new Ura monastery. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning lake. Stroll around the village and return back to Guest house. Evening: walk to the Swiss farm where apple juice, cider, cheese etc. are made. O/N at Karma Tobden Guest house OR similar in Bumthang (AP)

Day 09: Drive back to Wangduephodrang: 3100m/10168ft, 68 km – 2.5 hours drive: (Full Board)

Drive back to Wangduephodrang. O/N at Wangdi Kichu Resort OR similar in Wangduephodrang (AP)
Day 10:  Drive to Paro: 2380m/7382ft, 70km – 3 hours drive: Lunch at Thimpu(Full Board)

Drive 3/4 hours to Paro via Lobesa and a short walk through farm hoses and fields to Chime Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple is visited mostly by childless couples. Lunch at Thimpu and drive to Paro visiting the visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university.  O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 11: Day hike to Taktsang monastery: 3000m/9840ft, 10km – 4 hours walk: (Full Board)

Horses can be arranged with an extra cost.  The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure. O/N at Kichu Resort OR similar in Paro (AP)

Day 12: Transfer to airport:

You will be driven to the airport in time to catch your flight back