Pilgrimage of the Iconic Buddhist Sites in Bhutan (10 Days)
Itinerary
Highlights:
Lhakhang temple to welcome the group. The trip continues through Paro, Thimphu,
Punakha, Wangdi, Trongsa and Bumthang eventually returning to Paro by domestic flights
which takes only 20 minutes. Lots to see and experience in Bhutan for your spiritual
advancements, blessings for longevity and diminished negativities.
Day 01: Dinner Included Transfer to hotel for check in and refreshments/lunch whichever earlier is served on arrival.
Relax for a while before you are welcome to a complimentary welcome cultural programme at Namker community temple.Return to hotel for dinner and bed.
Day 02: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included-Early morning,
visit an accomplished Buddhist teacher to receive water blessings and Kago to purify your body, mind and speech from negativities. Return to hotel for breakfast before your next visit to an iconic Kichu temple which was founded in a day 108 Temple including Kichhu in the 8th century. Welcome to spend an hour in meditation in a shrine room.
Next, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, a fortress built in 1647 which today holds the district’s administrative office and the monk institution. Return to your hotel for lunch. Visit farmhouse for a special hotstone bath and a special treat to a dinner to enjoy local farm delicacy. Return to hotel for sleep.
Day 03: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included-Today you will go on an excursion
to the most iconic Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery (4-5 hrs.). Significant features at the monastery include the statue of Guru Sungjoem (self spoken) and the cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. Welcome to offer butter lamps for the benefit of all sentient-beings. Lunch served enroute before returning to Thimphu - the highest capital city in South Asia and host to royal families, civil servants and politicians. -Dinner and O/n in Thimphu.
Day 04:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
-Visits for the day include the National Bhutan Posts and the world’s tallest sitting Buddha Dordhenma. Lunch served, visit Chang Gangkha temple on a land mark spot built by Lama Phaju Drukgom’s son Nyima in the 12th century, and Trashichhodzong – the National Secretariat. An Utse temple at the heart of Trashichhodzong holds the amazing body of His Holiness the Late 69th Je KhenpoGaduen Rinchen which never decomposed. Even science has no answer to it. -O/n in hotel.
Day 05:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
-A beautiful 2 to 3 hrs. drive over Dochola pass at 10,000 ft, you are in Punakha. The rice bowl of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong - an architectural marvel of medieval Bhutan which hosted a series of events of historical significance. Enroute at Dochola (10,000 ft.), you pass by 108 stupas beautifully laid out on contours one above the other. It is called Druk Wangyel stupas. Other programmes for the day include a visit to Woolakha nunnery and a butter lamp ceremony. O/n in Hotel.
Day 06:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included Journey uphill on a windy road to Phobjikha (3 hrs. )
- a glacial valley and home to the rare black neck cranes which comes to roost in winter from the Great Tibetan plateaus. The valley is also home to the famous Gangtey monastery – the only Ngingmapa monastery east of the formidable Black Mountain range. A visit to this monastery is worth all your journey from Punakha. -Lunch in your hotel, spend rest of the afternoon walking down the beautiful valley
Day 07:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included -Drive along a rhythmic up and downhill road meandering through natural lush green meadows and forests ofrhododendrons (3hrs.) to Bumthang popularly known as the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.
-Lunch, visit ‘Mebar Tsho’ meaning a burning lake 12 km from your hotel. It is known for its spiritual significance as Pema Lingpa - a treasure discoverer from the 16th century was known to have entered the lake holding a burning lamp and discovered a treasure based on a prophesy left for him by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. -O/n in hotel.
Day 08:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
-Today you will visit Jambay Lhakhang which host the statue of Jow Jampa–the future Buddha and Kurjey monastery where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in a cave for 3 months. The third temple is Tamzhing monastery believed to have been built by human labour during day and fairies by the night. -Lunch and relax rest of the quite afternoon at your hotel to catch up with your mails and write-ups. -Enjoy Bumthang delicacy ‘puta’ and ‘jangbali’ for dinner.
Day 09:-Breakfast, take a domestic flight back to Paro.
Spend rest of the day shopping souvenirs for your best half, friends and other family members.
Day 10:Breakfast Included After Breakfast, drive to Paro International airport
for onward journey with options available to fly to Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore or Kolkatta.
Facilities
Tour Includes
* 3 full meals and 2 light refreshments of tea/coffee with snacks a day.
* Lodge on twin-sharing basis
* A resourceful licensed English speaking guide. Language other than English cost an additional US$100 per group per day.
* Local transport in imported car/hiace vans/coaches depending on group size.
* Allaccess fees to museums, parks and other entry fees related to the tour covered.
* Secure visa for Bhutan and
* flight reservations upto Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines
*destinations in Bangkok, Delhi, Bombay, Kathmandu, Singapore and Dacca.
Tour Does Not Include
1. Any expenses incurred on medical emergencies and evacuations
2. Any liabilities due to cancellation of flights, roadblock, etc.
3. Any kind of personal expenses.
4. Any supplement costs.
5. Any tips and gratitude to tour staff.