Custom tour: the Land of the Dragon

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Welcome to Nepal

  Arrival at Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu, at 1,340 meters. Meeting with our staff, assistance and transfer to your hotel. Time available to visit Durbar Square.

• day 2

  Kathmandu - Paro

  Early morning transfer to the airport. Flight to Paro. Upon your arrival, you will be taken care of by your driver. This city is considered one of the first valleys in Bhutan to have received the Buddhist imprint, as evidenced by the Kichu temple founded in the 7th century. Here you will discover numerous sculptures of bodhisattvas and paintings depicting the previous lives of Buddha. Discovery of the Kyichu temple dating from the 7th century, one of the country's most sacred sites. Free time in the city's main shopping street and its many stalls.

• day 3

  Paro – Thimphu

  Route to Thimphu. The journey will take about an hour and a half. In the afternoon, you will have the choice between several visits: the National Memorial Chorten, the National Textile Museum, the National Library.

• day 4

  Thimphu

  In the morning, you will head towards the northern end of the valley in order to discover the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, which is the seat of the government of Bhutan. You will also see the royal offices and visit Pangri Zampa. These are two 16th-century buildings, which nowadays are the seat of a monastic training school for astrologers. Once back in town, you can also visit some of the capital's handicraft industries, which range from paper to traditional handmade production, up to rolled incense.

• day 5

  Excursion to the Tango and Cheri monasteries

  Day of hiking to discover the bottom of the Thimphu valley. Climb up to the Tango and Cheri monasteries, hidden in the forest. Return to Thimphu. Free time at the end of the day.

• day 6

  Thimphu - Punakha

  Free morning. Departure after lunch for Punakha, the former capital. On the way, visit the oldest Dzong in Bhutan, the "Simtoka Dzong", a tall white building in traditional style, built in 1627 and covered with shingles. From Simtoka, the road winds through pine forests for 20 km and rises up to the "Dochula pass" at 3,116 m. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bhutan, before descending into the lowest valley of central Bhutan, famous for its temperate climate, where fruit trees blossom with the high snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas as a backdrop.

• day 7

  Punakha - Tongsa - Bhumtang

  Visit to the Punakha dzong, beautifully located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. This stage is ideal for walking, discovering villages and small temples. Continuation of the day through forests of giant rhododendrons and conifers, and crossing the Pele-La pass (3,350 m). Following the Mangde Chu river, the road descends towards Tongsa, dominated by its spectacular dzong backed by the mountain. Stroll through the streets of the town and continue towards Bhumtang, one of the most spectacular valleys in the country and the cradle of Buddhist culture. Crossing the Yutong pass (3,400 m) and stopping at the village of Zugne, famous for its brightly colored wool weavings.

• day 8

  Bumthang

  Visit to the main monasteries of the Bumthang valley: Jampa Lhakhang, Kurje. Walk towards Tangbi (2h), a temple built by the fourth Shamarpa in a very beautiful valley. Visit of Tamshing, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa. Stop at the Swiss farm. Return at the end of the day.

• day 9

  Excursion to the village of Ura

  After breakfast, you will head towards the Ura valley. This road, off the usual routes, will offer you some wonderful surprises, notably the Jakar fortress. You will stop in Ura for lunch, then visit the village and the main temple. The village of Ura, entirely built of stone, looks like a medieval village, an impression reinforced by the traditional clothing of the women. In the evening, you will visit the local market, then return to Bumthang.

• day 10

  The Tang valley

  Bumthang is considered the most sacred and religious region of Bhutan, and the Tang valley is the most renowned in Bumthang. You will discover the fortress of the white bird there, walk around ancient temples, and discover the magnificent Mebartsho lake, in which Terton Pemalingpa, a treasure hunter also considered the reincarnation of the eminent Buddhist saint "Guru Padmasambhava", found sacred relics from the 15th century and returned to Bumthang.

• day 11

  Bumthang - Phobjikha

  Road to the beautiful Phobjika valley, where the Gantey monastery is located, recently restored in the purest traditional style. In this valley, hundreds of rare black-necked cranes settle at the beginning of December to spend the winter, fleeing the cold of the Tibetan highlands. From the monastery, a lovely walk to your hotel through forests and pastures.

• day 12

  Phobjikha – Paro

  Route to Paro and visit of the Rinpung dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Visit of the Ta dzong, former watchtower transformed into a national museum. The collections of handicrafts, paintings, costumes, weapons, and textiles are remarkable. Continue to the ruins of the Drukgyel fortress, which you reach after a pleasant walk through forest and typical village. Free time in the city's main shopping street and its many stalls.

• day 13

  Paro

  Excursion to the Takshang Monastery, nicknamed the Tiger's Nest, perched at over 3,000 m. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan world. A walk of about three hours round trip through pine forests on a steep path. Possibility to do part of the ascent on horseback (to be paid on site). Visit of Ta Dzong, former watchtower converted into a national museum (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

• day 14

  Paro - Kathmandu

  Transfer to the airport and flight to Kathmandu. Free afternoon.

• day 15

  Goodbye

  Transfer to the airport according to your return schedule to France.