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Bhutan

All visitors are now required to enter the kingdom at paro by the national airline, Druk-Air.It may be more convenient for some visitors to leave the kingdom via the southern outlets of Samdrup Jangkhar in the east or phuentsholing in the west

Thimphu
Thimpu, perhaps the most unnsual capital city in the world, is a bustling town on the banks of its own river and set gloriously in the hills of its own valley

Punakha
The road winds up from simtokha Dzong into pine forest and through small villages for 20 kilometers and then opens miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountains.
 

Wangduephodrang
Wangduephodrang is the last town on the central highway before central Bhutan. The town is no more than an enlarged village with a few well-provided shops.
 

Tongsa
In the center of Bhutan four hours by road from Wangduephodrang, Tongsa offers a welcome rest to travelers.
 

Bumthang
The Yutongla Pass and a series of hair-raising bends at 11,500 feet separates the valleys of Tongsa and Bumthang.
 

East  Bhutan
The drive across the Thumsingla pass and the subsequent descent from high altitude pine forest to lush pastures and orchards is one of the most exciting drives in all of the Himalayas.
 
Mongar
Arriving in Mongar is welcome respite from the seemingly endless turns of the journey over the pass.
 

Tashigang
The road from Mongar passes the Yadi loops. For five miles the road creates figures of eight as it descends to the valley floor.
 

Tashiyangtse
A few kilometers north of Tashigang, Tashiyangtese Dzong is a half-hour walk from the road. The monk body leaves the monastery during the winter for warmer surroundings.
 

Bhutan - South East & South West
The road from Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhr was completed in the early 1960s and enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as to cross the Indian border. 

Bhutan Tour Package - 7 Days

Places to Visit: PHUNTSHOLING - THIMPHU - WANGDI - PARO

Day 01 ARRIVE PHUNTSHOLING
Arrive Phuntsholing by surface. Check - in hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 PHUENTSHOLING/THIMPHU
Morning drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan (6hrs.) En-route visit Chukha Hydel Project. On arrival check-in at hotel Wangchuck or similar.

Day 03 THIMPHU
Full day sightseeing of Thimphu, visit the memorial chorten, National library, Tashichhodzong, handicraft emporium and town. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 THIMPHU/WANGDI
Morning drive to Wangdi (77kms, 3 hrs.) via Dochula pass (3050 m). Afternoon visit Punakha dzong & town. Overnight Kichu Wangdi Resort.

Day 05 WANGDI/PARO
Return drive to Paro, Leisure afternoon . Overnight Kichu Resort

Day 06 PARO
Morning sightseeing of the Drukgyal Dzong & visit Bhutanese farm house. Afternoon visit Bhutanese farm house. Afternoon visit the Ta Dzong (National museum) and the Rinpung Dzong(administrative center). Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07 PARO/PHUNTSHOLING
Drive from Paro to Phuntsholing & further drive to New Jalpaiguri to catch train to Delhi/Kolkata.

Dragon Heart Tour - 11 Days

Places to Visit: PARO - THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - WANGDI - BUMTHANG - URA - GANGTEY - WANGDIPHODRANG

Day 01 ARRIVE PARO
Arrive Paro. During this flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount. Everest Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mount. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival received by International Treks representative and transfer to the hotel. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 PARO
Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of hamlets amidst terraced paddy field. The town still maintains traditions by way of its architecture and the simple way of life.Morning trip toTa-dzong or National Museum. Rated among the best natural history museums in Asia, Ta-Dzong offers unique and varied collections ranging from ancient armount to textiles and thangkha paintings. Then walk down the trail to visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It now houses the Paro monastic school and office of the civil administration. Also Rinppung Dzong is venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in spring. Afternoon drive up Valley to the Drukgyel Dzong or the Fort of Drukpa victory. From this fortress Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetans throughout the course of history. Looming above the smoldered ruins is the snowcapped peak of Mount. Chomolhar. Also visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House, nestled below the dzong. Then drive towards Paro Town enroute visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monastery of the Kingdom reflecting introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel

Day 03 PARO/THIMPHU
After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the capital town passing via idyllic countryside, through villages and paddy fields. Enroute visit theSimtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress Of the country now house the school of Buddhist studies. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Thimphu valley, visit Tashichhodzong; the seat of the government, Memorial Chorten; the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King and handicrafts emporium displaying rich traditional crafts of the Kingdom. Also, you may be able to catch a gem of archery in progress at the Changlimethang compound, just below the town. Evening take a stroll around market area. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 THIMPHU/PUNAKHA/WANGDI
Morning after breakfast drive to Wangdi enroute visit Dochula pass (3,100 m). The pass Is marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags. The pass offers the most Spectacular view of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. On arrival in Punakha Visit Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang, Namgyal 1n 17th century and situated of the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Later drive to Wangdi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 WANGDI/TONGSA/BHUMTHANG
Morning after breakfast drive to Tongsa on arrival visit Tongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and see Ta-Dzong, the watchtower built to defent this dzong. After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. On arrival,check-in at Lodge. Overnight at Lodge.

Day 06 BHUMTHANG
Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys - Chumney, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit to Jakar Dzong, the administrative entree of the valley. Afternoon Visit Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monastery dating from introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Evening visit local shops. Overnight at the Lodge.

Day 07 BHUMTHANG/URA/BHUMTHANG
Morning excursion to Ura village which 48 Km about one and half-hours drive. To Reach here, the road climbs to amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running Into forest. Large Sheep pastures line the road upto 20 Km beyond the southern tip of the Tang valley. Enroute cross Ura la pass (3,600m) with a magnificent view of Mount
Gangkar Puensum. Vallges in Ura character-stically have very closely clustered houses Which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Above Ura village (3,100m) a new Lhakhang dedicated to Guru Rimphoche inaugurated in 1986 which contains remarkable paintings of the Cycle of his teachings. Since last 25 years Ura has transformed from a marginal
Community to a prosperous valley. Drive back to Bumthang. Overnight at Lodge.

Day 08 BHUMTHANG/GANGTEY/WANGDIPHODRANG
Morning after breakfast drive to Wangdiphodrang enrout visit Gangety (Phobjikha) Is one of the few flacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home for Black Neck Cranes Which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit to Gangtey Monastery the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. On arrival Check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 WANGDIPHODRANG/THIMPHU
Morning after breakfast drive to Thimphu. On arrival. Check-in at hotel. Afternoon Visit National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Traditional Medicine Institute, where centuries old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced; the painting School, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkhas, and the mask maker workshop. There are also workshop for fine Metalcraft, weaving ceramics and papermaking. Evening time to exploratory walk before dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 THIMPHU/PARO
Morning after breakfast drive to Paro. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 DEPART PARO
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.

Bhutan Travel Information

GEOGRAPHY
The kingdom lies east of Nepal and west of the Indian state of Arunachal pardesh. It is south of the Tibetan hinterland and north of the Indian territories of Assam and west Bengal.

Located in the heart of the high Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a land-locked country surrounded by mountains in the north and west. The rugged east, visited by few Western travelers, borders the spares and largely unknown Indian state of Arunachal pradesh. The high Himalaya in the northern steppes separates the kingdom from Tibet.

The population of 600,000 is made up primarily of indigenous Bhutanese. Many naturalized citizens came originally from Tibet and India. In the higer reaches of the kingdom and in some isolated valleys, hill tribes assuming Bhutanese nationality thrive on the land. Some like those from Merak and Sakteng in the east and Laya in the north, have no contact with Western civilistion and trade only in bartered goods.

The lower southern regions are inhabited by migrant Nepalese who have been granted Bhutanese nationality. Most of them are agricultural workers who take advantage of the fertile southern land. Most industrial areas are also located in the south. The southern districts are less populated than central districts but more populated than the northern mountainous regions. Altitudes in the south rang from 1,000 to 4,500 feet. Altitudes in the more populated central regions range from 4,000 feet in the east around Tashigang to a high of 17,000 feet over the highest pass. The altitude at Thimphu, the capital, is 7,700 feet.

Until roads were built in the early 1960s,it took travelers at least five days to make the journey from the Indian border at phuentsholing to Timphu. Ahigh mountain range separates the lowlands of the south from the central valleys. Befor the Chinese closed the broder with Tibet in 1959, the Bhutanese used to trade across the lower passes in the north of the country as they remained open during the cold winter months.

CLIMATE
Bhutan has four distint sesons. Each has its advantage and disadvantage for the visitor. Notice should be taken of the predictable weather patterns before making decisions when to visit. Remember even predictable weather can vary dramatically in different areas and in 24-hour period. The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valleys.

Spring is arguably the most beautiful time of the year in the kingdom. The fierce cold that characterizes the winter months tends to subside towards the end of February(around Bhutanese New Year, Lhosar). Rhododendron beings to bloom, first in the warmer east. At the heiger of spring , the end of March, the whole kingdom comes to life with the spectacular flaming red, pink and white of the rhododendron blossom.

The annual monsoon from the Bay of Bengal affects the south and central regions. The north is inhabited in the summer months when nomads return to the higher plains to tend to their yak herds.

The end of the monsoon, also a popular time to visit, marks the closing months of summer. The days are filled with glorious cobalt skies and warm weather.

The autumn months of September to November bring shorter days and cooler evenings. The days remain lovely with crisp clear skies. Views over the high Himalayas are usually only possible from September to March.

Come the end of November and weather takes on its winter coat. The days remain crisp and the nights turn cold. The southern areas, being much lower, have a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters.

Clear skies in the winter months brings with them cold weather but it’s also the best time of the year to view the snowcapped peaks of the high Himalayan mountains.

RELIGION
The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all stands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well-beings. Annual festivals(tsechus and dromchose) are spiritual occasions in each district and dedicted to either Guru Rimpoche or detities.

Throughout Bhutan, stupas and chortens line the roadside communication a place where Guru Rimpoche or another Shabdrung may have stopped to midtate. Prayer flags are even more common. Fluttering on long poles,they maintain constant communication with the heavens.

Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the tantric form of Mahayana Buddism as its official religion.

To ensure the perpetuation of Buddhism in the kingdom, one son from each family normally attends monastic school. While the Dzongs are the centers of administrative and government activities for all the valley; they are predominantly the homes and temples of the monastic community.