Black Necked Crane Festival (11th Nov 2015) Tour

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Paro (Paro to Thimphu)

  On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang will come into view. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. You are welcome by your team escort from Bhutan View Tours & Travels and after completion of arrival formalities, drive to Thimphu, Check in hotel and if the time permits Drive on to the BBS Tower Viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley. From here, take a visit to Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal.
  Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.

• Day 2 : Thimphu - Punakha (3-hour drive)

  After breakfast take a drive that climbs for an hour till you reach Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150m dotted with colorful prayer flags and 108 Stupa. Weather permits, this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayans. You may enjoy a hot cup of tea/coffee at Dochula resort. Continue to descend en route to Punakha & Wangdue through the temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in spring, then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance. Have lunch in the town. After lunch take a walk to the temple on a hill rock called Nyizergang, HM the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangden had built three stored chorten called Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten consecrated in December 1999. Situated in idyllic rural countryside, 45minutes climb from the road is well worth to see the paintings, which are beautiful and present an incredibly complex iconography and the statues. Drive back to the Dzong and walk in the Dzong by crossing the cantilever bridge. The Dzong was built in the year 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Overnight in a hotel in Punakha.
  Overnight hotel in Punakha.

• Day 3 : Punakha - Wangdi - Gangtey Goenpa (4-hour drive)

  After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Wangdi district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and slate which is mined up a valley a few kilometers from the town. Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley, surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan's few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.
  Overnight hotel in Gangtey

• Day 4 : Gangtey Valley(BLACK NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL 11th Nov 2015 )

  After breakfast drive to Gangtey Goenpa, in Phobijkha valley to watch the festival. This Annual Black-necked Crane festival is an occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of the heavenly bird which becomes part of their daily lives during the winter months. In the evening, take a leisurely walk back to the hotel following the Gangtey nature trail.
  Overnight in same hotel.

• Day 5 : Gangtey Valley - Trongsa - Bumthang

  Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,400 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After visiting dzong you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests.
  Over night Hotel in Bumthang.

• Day 6 : Gangtey Valley - Trongsa - Bumthang

  Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,400 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After visiting dzong you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests.
  Over night Hotel in Bumthang.

• Day 7 : Gangtey Valley - Trongsa - Bumthang

  Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,400 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After visiting dzong you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests.
  Over night Hotel in Bumthang.

• Day 8 : Bumthang sightseeing

  Today's sightseeing includes visit to the following:
  Jambay Lhakhang: This monastery was built in the 7th century by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Its present architectural appearance dates from the early 20th century.
  Kurje Lhakhang: Situated before Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 on the rack face where Guru meditated in the 8th century. Second temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of Guru's body and is therefore considered the most holy. The third temple was built in 1990s by Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten wall.
  Jakar Dzong: "castle of the white bird". According to legend, when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong. The fortress is now used as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence of Trongsa monks. In the evening have a leisure walk in the town. Overnight in Bumthang.
  Tamshing Lhakhang: Located across the river from Kurje Lhakhang, this temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the re-incarnation of Guru Padsambhava. The monastery has very ancient religious paintings like 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of Buddhistava). The temple was restored at the end of the 19th century.
  Konchogsum Lhakhang: It was built in the 6th century but was renovated in 1995, which accounts for its fresh look. It contained a large bell and it is said that when this bell was rung it could be heard all the way in Lhasa in Tibet. During the 17th century a Tibetan Army tried to steal this bell but was too heavy and they dropped it and cracked it. It is now displayed at the National Museum in Paro. Overnight in a hotel in Bumthang.

• Day 9 : Bumthang - Wangduephodrang (6-7 hour drive)

  You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in a hotel in Wangduephodrang.

• Day 10 : Wangduephodrang - Thimphu (3-hour drive)

  After breakfast, take a drive to Paro following the road crossing Dochula pass. The drive to Thimphu takes around three hours. Make a stop at Dochu la Pass, the pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens- the construction of these 108 chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The pass is also popular spiritual destination for both locals and tourists because an important temple is located on the crest of Dochula pass. The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang was built in honor of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appears to merge in the details of the lhakhang (temple) and its structure tells the story of a supreme warrior figure, whose vision pierces the distant future in a fine blend of history and mythology. After lunch in town, visit the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). Overnight in a hotel in Thimphu.

• Day 11 : Thimphu - Paro

  After breakfast drive towards the northern part of Thimphu for an hour and start your hike to Tango Monastery, the hike takes about 45 minutes up hill on the right of the motor road, at the same level as Chagri meditation center but out of sight. Tango dates originally from 13th century as it was the residence of Phajo Drugom Shigpo who introduces the Drukpa Kagyupa School in Bhutan. It was rebuilt in its present form in 1688 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the 4th Temporal Ruler in the 18th century. The monastery was restored in the mid-1990s and is now used as an upper –education-level monastic school.
  On the way back visit Pangri Zampa Temple, it is situated just beyond Dechenphodrang, two imposing structures are set in the middle of a meadow, not far from the river, this was the residences of Shabdrung Ngaywang Namgyal when he arrive in Bhutan in the year 1616 AD. The temple was built during the first quarter of the 16th century, a prayer wall covered with carved and painted stones, and huge cypress trees combine to give this place an almost magical charm. It is now the seat of the monastic school of astrology. Evening drive to Paro .
  Overnight hotel in Paro.

• Day 12 : Paro Sightseeing

  Paro is a most picturesque valley, with quaint hamlets clustered amidst terraced paddy fields. The town still maintains tradition by way of its architecture and simple way of life. In the morning, visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower but now housing the National Museum. Ta Dzong holds unique and varied collections, ranging from ancient armor to textiles, thangkha paintings, stamps, coins, and natural history. Then walk down a hillside trail to visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) built in 1646 during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It now houses Paro's monk body and the offices of the civil administration. Rinpung Dzong is the venue for the famous Paro Tsechu, held annually in the spring. After lunch, drive up valley to Drukgyel Dzong or the fort of Drukpa victory. In former times, the Bhutanese repelled invasions by Tibetans from this fortress. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins still present an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Bhutan's sacred mountain, Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong. Also visit a traditional Bhutanese house in the village nestled below the dzong.
  Overnight Hotel in Paro.

  • Hotspots : Rinpung Dzong, National Museum

• Day 13 : Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

  Your day start with the excursion hike to famous Taktsang monastery located on a cliff 3000ft above Paro valley. After breakfast drive to the starting point of the hike from the hotel.Taktsang (tigers nest) was first blessed by Guru Rimpoche when he visited the place riding on a flying tigress in 8th century. Guru Rimpoche is believed to be meditated in this cave for three months. Later Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, 4th Druk Desi built a monastery on the same location.
  The hike is around three hours walk to the monastery, plus two and half hours visiting around with lunch hour and one hour way back to the road head.
  Then head back towards Paro town, en route visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, established in the 7th century and one of the two oldest shrines in the kingdom (the other is in Bumthang), marking the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
  Overnight hotel in Paro.

• Day 14 : Departure

  After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch your onward flight. Your escort from Bhutan View Tours & Travels will escort your group till the Flight departure.
  
  Note: the Itinerary is a sample itinerary to give you general idea of the trip schedule. We can further customize the itinerary to suit your specific interest and needs to our valued customers.

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• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

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* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount. * Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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