[B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner]
May 13 & 14- Travel to Bhutan
Flight to Paro, Bhutan.
Note that flights to Paro Airport (PBH) are either via Bangkok (Thailand) on Druk Air or via New Delhi (India) on Air India or Druk Air. Travelers will typically need to stay a night in Bangkok/ New Delhi to catch an earlier morning flight to Paro the next morning. Pre and/or post-trip stopovers in either Bangkok or New Delhi can also be arranged via the tour operator.
May 15 – Arrive Paro/ Transfer to Thimphu
Arrive Paro, Bhutan (flights arranged by guests).
Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Thimpu.
Depending on your arrival time, visit the Tashichho Dzong. Dzongs are fortress-monasteries that dot the Bhutanese landscape. The Tashichho Dzong is located on the western bank of the Wang Chu and is Bhutan's most stately and arguably the most impressive building. It is also the seat of the Drukdesi or ‘Dharma Raja’ which is the head of Bhutan's civil government since 1907.
Gather for an orientation and presentation by History Professor Andrew Bernstein followed by a welcome dinner.
Altitude: 2,350 m / 7,709 ft.
Norkhil Boutique Hotel (L,Welcome Dinner)
May 16- Tour of Thimphu
Visit the site of the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma which offers unobstructed views over the capital. The fifty-one meter tall statue commands the entry to the Thimphu Valley and the massive three-storied base houses a large chapel containing thousands of Buddha statuettes. Later, visit Zorig Chusum. This arts and crafts institute promotes the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Norkhil Boutique Hotel (B,L,D)
May 17- Thimpu - Khotokha
After breakfast, drive to Khotokha via the Dochu La Pass On clear days the views of the Himalaya range is spectacular . Tradition calls for a stop at the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by the Queen Mother for the security and well-being of the King of Bhutan.
Arrive at Khotokha — a large glacial valley and home to subsistence farmers, monasteries and hermitages. With breathtaking views, these sacred sites are visited by pilgrims from all over Bhutan and beyond. Enjoy a few hours of walking to visit several monasteries. This is the best way to get an understanding of the area and its importance. You may have an opportunity to interact with locals, pilgrims and monks.
Arrive at your tented campsite set up for you.
Altitude: 3,088m/10,130ft.
Tented Camp (B,L,D)*
*The tented accommodations are comfortable and set up for tourists and contain portable beds, blankets and pillows, a sanitized communal bathroom and a shower tent (exclusively set up for the group complete with towels, soap and water), experienced crew members and hearty meals.
May 18- Khotokha
The untouched beauty of deep pine forests in Khotokha offers possibilities for trekking to sacred sites, remote villages bound by scenic beauty. There are many drupchus (holy water springs) and menchus (healing water) believed to have mystical healing powers.
Witness and participate in a full reconstruction of the popular Tshechu dance — a traditional Bhutanese dance of highly stylized masked dancers rituals. Attendees adorned in astounding color gather from around the village to receive blessings from this sacred ceremony from the monks. This is a great way for travelers to interact with the locals.
Tented Camp (B,L,D)
May 19- Trek to Gogona and drive to Gangtey
This hike begins from the beautiful Khotokha valley towards the Phobjikha valley. This moderate hike will stop at villages along the way, passing through meadows and fields of juniper, magnolia and rhododendrons which are typically in full bloom in May. The total hiking time including stops is estimated to take up to 6 hours.
Arrive at Gogona which is a small village with an amazing monastery under the care of the Gangtey Gompa. After a brief rest stop depart by road to Gangtey. Gangtey is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and a designated conservation area and one of the most important wildlife preserves in Bhutan.
Check into your hotel and later visit the Gangtey Gonpa Monastery complex. This complex of five temples is one of the two main centers of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan.
Altitude - Gangtey: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft
Dewachen Hotel (B,L,D)
May 20- Gangtey
Visit local Bhutanese farm houses that are ever-present in this area. Immerse yourself with the local family to understand their lifestyle and participate in a cooking and tasting demonstration. Later, visit a community school in the village and interact with the local children.
Later, join the evening prayer session in a monastery which is home to approximately 250 novice monks. This experience is quite meditative as the monks chant their prayers in unison. Guests are invited to chat with the novice monks after the prayer session before returning to the hotel.
Dewachen Hotel (B,L,D)
May 21- Gangtey - Punakha
Depart for Punakha. Enjoy a 20 minute easy walk through the village to the Divine Madman’s Monastery or Chimi Lhakhang which is famous for its fertility shrine. Later visit the Punakha Dzong located on the island of the Pho Chhu (male) river and the Mo Chhu (female) river. Couples looking to having children are drawn to this area to receive blessings for a safe delivery of their offspring. Gather as a group for a facilitated discussion about Bhutan with Andrew Bernstein.
The remainder of the day is at your own leisure to explore.
Altitude: 1300 m / 4265 ft
Zhingkham Resort (B,L,D)
May 22- In Punakha
Take an invigorating hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (commonly known as stupas). This is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This hour long hike through a moderately inclined trail is surrounded by pine trees offering beautiful views of the Punakha Valley below.
Return to the hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at your own leisure.
Zhingkham Resort (B,L,D)
May 23- Drive to Paro
Return to Paro and visit the Paro Dzong and National Museum of Bhutan. The Paro Dzong is one of the most popular and well known dzongs in Bhutan and is also the administrative seat of the district.
The National Museum of Bhutan houses over 3,000 works of Bhutanese art, rich holdings of various creative traditions and disciplines that represent a remarkable blend of the past with the present.
Altitude: 2250 m / 7382 ft
Tenzinling Resort (B,L,D)
May 24 Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
Depart from your hotel for a hike to Taktsang Monastery (approximately 4.5 hours with multiple stops). Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), this beautiful monastery also known the Tiger’s Nest is the most famous and most recognized symbol of Bhutan.
The monastery is a pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals and the journey up to the monastery is filled with spiritual bliss. Guests are not expected to complete the full hike but rather enjoy the journey as far as they can.
Join the group for a farewell dinner.
Tenzinling Resort (B,L,D)
May 25: Depart Paro
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok or New Delhi. On arrival connect to your flight home*
*Depending on your flight arrangements, hotel accommodations can be arranged in New Delhi or Bangkok. Please contact the tour operator should you require any assistance.
