Bhutan Above The Cloud Tour

After breakfast drive to Thimphu city and visit the following:

Buddha Point /Kuenselphodrang: This massive Buddha statue is 51.5 meters in height and it is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘Chorten literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.

The School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room, and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built-in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Yet another place for the photographer’s delight.

Overnight in Thimphu

We will be moving further away from Thimphu to Punakha, which is a three-hour drive.

45 minutes from Thimphu is the Dochula pass (3,100m), offering you the first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan Ranges, consisting of snow-capped mountain peaks with heights ranging from 6000m to 7554m. During the stopover there, you can also see the 108 stupas (Chortens) built around a mound.

The drive then descends and passes through beautiful forests, comprising rhododendron, fields of dwarf bamboo green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and constantly changing vegetation. Before reaching Punakha, we will visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple where the Phallus is worshipped and associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madmonk.” It is about 1-hour hike (to and fro) from the road point. We will have our lunch here.

As we near our next destination, Punakha, we will witness an awe-inspiring image of the Punakha Fortress, which looks like a giant ship rocked on a still mass of water from far. Built on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho (male) and Mo (female) rivers, the Dzong served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still home to the Chief Abbot in the winter months. It was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and has played a prominent role in the civil and religious history of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored in its original splendor.

Also, we will visit the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

Overnight in Punakha

After breakfast, we begin the 105 km drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. It will take us about 4 hours with the road gradually ascending till Lawala pass (1100 feet). Passing through Nobding village, the vegetation consists of high altitudeS dwarf bamboo, rhododendrons flowers, Magnolia, fir, and pine trees. We will reach Phobjikha valley at 3,000m, in the Black Mountain Ranges. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and home to the very rare black-necked crane. The birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in winter (from October -March). We will be visiting Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries that look like a small Dzong.

A Nature trail walk (around 2 hours) that gives a nice feeling to Phobjikha valley. It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. After passing a Chorten and Khewa Lhakhang, the trail ends at the local community school.

Visit the Black-necked crane center (cranes will start immigrating to this area by November).

Overnight in Phobjikha valley

After breakfast, drive to the Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa (4.5 hrs).

En-route visit the beautiful 18th-century Chendebji Chorten. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Visit Ta Dzong museum housing a collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family and visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan

Overnight in Trongsa

In the morning, Continue driving towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), the spiritual place of the kingdom. Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples, and monasteries.

Visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples.

Overnight in Bumthang

After breakfast, we will visit the following places

Jakar Dzong – pitched on a high ground overlooking the town junction, it was built as a monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for the Bumthang district.

Tamshing Goemba, built-in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa.

Konchogsum Lhakhang (called Tsilung or Choekhor in the texts) dates, according to the saint Pema Lingpa, as far back as the 8th century. The temple is supposed to have been built by the Tibetan king Trisong Detsen after receiving instructions fromGuru Rinpoche to do so.

Me-Bar Tsho (Burning Lake) – One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, the holy lake is said to be one of the holiest lakes in Bhutan.

Overnight in Bumthang

After breakfast, you may wish to stroll around the Bumthang Town and drive to Bathpalathang Airport, central Bhutan, domestic service would short your traveling time from 12 hours drive to just 35 minutes flight.

After arriving at Paro, drive to Haa via the Chelela Pass. Haa Valley is situated in the northwest of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Extraordinarily beautiful Haa Valley is newly opened to Tourists. With its three prominent hills representing the three guardian deities, this valley is said to have been named by Guru Padma Sambava himself—HAA means “mystical”. Stroll around the small and beautiful township of Haa.

We will visit Lhakhang Karpo which was established in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in his mission to build 108 monasteries in one day. He built Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo in the Haa Valley. According to a legend, a black and white pigeon was released to select sites to build the temples. Overnight in Haa

After breakfast, drive to the Chelela pass at 3988m en route to Paro. Weather allowing, from the pass you will have panoramic views of the two valleys of Paro & Haa and of course, the beautiful Himalayan ranges of Bhutan. You will have the most scenic view of Mt. Jumolhari.

After lunch, make short stops at important sites, heritages, and monuments.

We enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art, and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts.

Overnight in Paro

After breakfast, we drive for half an hour and start the hike, which is about 5 hours (round trip.) The trail is along an ancient path marked by river-powered prayer wheels.

Mediating in Taktshang Monastery can be a very good experience of mediating in a most important and revered Buddhist Monastery in Bhutan.

As you reach Taktshang you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most pious Buddhist shrine in Bhutan. Perched some 1000m, 3000ft on a cliff overlooking the valley, it would justifiably qualify as one of Bhutan’s wonders. Tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, it has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D.

On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Overnight in Paro

After breakfast, you will be driven to Paro international Airport for your onward destination.