| Jambay Lhakhang & Prakar Tsechu |
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Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport. Afternoon visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) which was built in 1656 to safe guard the Rimpung Dzong and Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. It was converted into National Museum in 1968. It is located on top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and river. On the way back from the Museum, take a leisurely stroll in the Paro town. Over night at hotel in Paro. Day 2: Paro Sightseeing / Excursion to Taktsang Monastery. Morning drive till road head and take a walk to Taktsang Monastery perched on the rock overlooking the Paro valley. Lunch at Cafeteria. Afternoon on route visit to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang the oldest temple in the country founded by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century and Paro Rimpung Dzong (fort on the heap of jewels). Overnight at hotel in Paro. Day 3: Paro – Punakha. Morning, drive to Punakha through winding valley of Paro. It takes 5hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu rivers offering gorgeous scenic views at every turn. Stop for while at Dochula pass (3080mtrs) and enjoy the spectacular views of Himalayan mountain ranges. Lunch at Dochula cafeteria. Drive to Punakha Dzong, the old capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, which means “Male River and Female River ". Take a drive along the upstream river valley. You will see the white bellied heron along the river valleys. It is globally an endanger bird species. Take a picture of Khamsum Yullley temple built on a hillock overlooking the valley. Overnight at hotel in Punakha. Day 4: Punakha - Trongsa via Phobjikha. Morning drive to Trongsa across the Pelela passes (3270 mtrs). Enroute visit the gracious valley of Phobjikha. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley that is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Visit the Ninga Institute and the Monastery at Gangtey Goenpa. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa. Day 5: Trongsa – Bumthang. Morning visit the Trongsa Dzong, a very impressive one built in 1643 by Chogyel Minjur Tempa. It was ancestral home of Royal family. Soon after lunch resume to Bumthang. Drives uphill to Yotongla pass at 3320 mtrs and then downhill to Getsa. In Chumey valley, you will come across display of woolen hand woven colorful clothes. The next valley after Kilela pass is Jakar, the land Switzerland of Bhutan where tales of the great teacher Guru Rimpoche dominates. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Lhakhang. Overnight stay at hotel in Bumthang. Day 6: Attend Jambay Lhakhang Tsechu. After an early breakfast attend the Tsechu which is held in the courtyard of Jambay Lhakhang. Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang is one of the two oldest and most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. The Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built it in 659. According to legends, Songtsen Gampo found out that he has to build 108 temples to subdue an ogress who had spread over the areas of Tibet and Bhutan. Songtsen Gampo was said to have magically multiplied himself and to have sent all of his emanation into the various areas of Tibet and Bhutan to erect 108 temples in a single day in same time. Jambay Lhakhang was built to pin down the left foot of the ogress. The monument marked the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. Day 7: Prakar Tsechu. Morning, drive to Prakar festival 17 km away from Bumthang. Prakar monastery meaning “temple of white monkey” is just visible on a promontory on the opposite of the river founded by Dawa Gyeltshen, a son of Pema Lingpa. (Will know more at the time of your visit). Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 8: Morning Prakar Tsechu. Afternoon visit Tashi Choling Dzong the summer capital of the second king in Domkhar. It was built in 1937 and is a replica of Kuenga Rabten in Trongsa. Its also used as resident by queen mother for several years and now under cares of monk body of Trongsa. Visit Buli Lhakhang on the hill to the north of Gyetsa built by Thuksey Chhoying, the son of Dorje Lingpa in (1346-1405). Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 9: Morning Jambay Lhakhang Tsechu. Afternoon, visit Kurje Lhakhang the famous temple in Bhutan. The place where temple located is blessed and meditated by Guru Rimpoche in 746 during his first visit to Bhutan and left body imprint on the cave. Visit Jakar Dzong built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa. You will also visit to Tamzhing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings and Kuenchogsum Lhakhang. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 10: Excursion to Ura Valley. Morning excursion to Ura Valley and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farmhouses that is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pastureland of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and on the way back to Bumthang, the Mebar Tso “The flaming Lake” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots. Overnight at hotel / Farmhouse in Bumthang. Day 11: Bumthang – Wangdiphodrang. Drive to Wangdue. Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and stroll around the town. Overnight at hotel in Wangdue.
Day12: Wangdue – Thimphu. Morning, drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit Chime Lhakhang (temple of fertility) built on a spectacular site in 1499 by Ngawang Chogyel. On arrival at Thimphu, visit textile factory in Changzamtog, memorial Stupa built by queen mother of third king in memory of her son in 1974. Visit Tashi Chhodzong, the main Secretariat Building, where the government ministries, the office of His Majesty the King, the Throne Room, the offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed. Evening, relax at the hotel or stroll through Capital city. Overnight stay at hotel Thimphu.
Day 13: Thimphu – Paro. Morning, drive to Changangkha Lhakhang founded in 12th century by Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo. Visit Takin reservation at Mothithang and drive up to Sangaygang for spectacular views of majesty capital city. Visit Drupthog Goenpa nunnery, National library, and Institute of Thirteen Crafts and Folk Heritage museum. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, drive to Paro. In the evening, stroll around the Paro town for your leisure. Overnight at hotel in Paro. Day 14:Morning drive to Paro International Airport for your onward destination. |



