Black Necked Crane Festival

14 days-13 Night itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive Paro (Paro to Thimphu)

On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang will come into view. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. You are welcome by your team escort from clean air Advinture and after completion of arrival formalities, drive to Thimphu,Check in hotel and if the time permits Drive on to the BBS Tower Viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley. From here, take a visit to Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal.

Overnight in hotel in Thimphu

Day 2 : Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast take a drive that climbs for an hour till you reach Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150m dotted with colorful prayer flags and 108 Stupa.  Weather permits, this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayans. You may enjoy a hot cup of tea/coffee at Dochula resort.  Continue to descend en route to Punakha & Wangdue through the temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in spring, then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance.  Have lunch in the town. 

• After lunch short hikeTo the Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The Chorte n dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
•  Visit PunakhaDzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637 at the confluence of Phochu (Male) and Mochu (female) rivers.  Today the Punakha Dzong is home to the central monk body and the Je Khenpo during the milder winter months. Punakha valley is flourished with rich vegetation and the dzong is extra ordinarily renovated with detailed arts and crafts.

Overnight hotel in Punakha

Day 3-: Punakha –Wangdi- Gangtey Goenpa

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Wangdi district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and slate which is mined up a valley a few kilometers from the town. Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley, surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.

Overnight hotel in Gangtey

Day 4-: Gangtey Valley (BLACK NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL )

After breakfast drive to Gangtey Goenpa, in Phobijkha valley to watch the festival. This Annual Black-necked Crane festival is an occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of the heavenly bird which becomes part of their daily lives during the winter months.  In the evening, take a leisurely walk back to the hotel following the Gangtey nature trail.

Overnight hotel in Gangtey

Day 5- Gangtey Valley – Trongsa-Bumthang

strat your journey towards bumthang via trongsa

•  On the way visit Chendebji Chorten the replica chorten of Bodhinath Chorten in Nepal. Your lunch is arranged in the cafeteria near by the chorten (Stupa).

After lunch continues journey to Bumthang,

•  on the way stop at Tongsa and visit to Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan.
•  Visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to the Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling.

Continue journey to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. It takes about 3 hours to reach Bumthang from Trongsa which takes us through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley Just below Yongtong La pass you will see weaving center shops by the sides of the road. Stop there to have a look at the hand woven Yathra clothes and beautiful women weaving.

Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang sightseeing

Bumthang one of the most holy place in Bhutan blessed by 2nd Buddha Guru Rimpoche and many other saints has many places to visit.

• Start your day with a visit to JambeyLhakhang built in 7th Century by king Songtsen Goempo of Tibet and one of the two oldest Temple in Bhutan. (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro)
•  visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where guru rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock) built in 8th century is only few km away from Jambay lhakhang.

After lunch,

• Visit Jakar Dzong (the castle of the white bird), built in 1667.
•  visit Tamshing Lhakhang built in 15th century by Pema lingpa and also visit interesting agricultural factory which produces fruit alcohol, fruit juices, wheat beers, and honey and dairy products.

Overnight in hotel in Bumthang

Day 9 Nov: Bumthang – Wangduephodrang

You’ll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in a hotel in Wangduephodrang.

Day 10 Nov: Wangduephodrang – Thimphu

After breakfast drive torwards Thimphu for sightseeing in Thimphu.

• visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk “the Father of modern Bhutan”, who wished to erect a monument for global peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. It has now become a vibrant centre of spiritual practice and religious events.
• After that visit to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). It holds one of the largest Buddha’s statue in the country of 169 feet (51.5m), made of bronze and gilded in gold. Visitors can also get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from this point. 
• Drive back to visit  Tashi Choe Dzong houses His Majesty’s secretariat, ministers’ office, and the Central Monk Body. 
• After lunch Visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the Institute for Advanced Buddhist studies.
• Visit the Royal Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Handicrafts Emporium followed by a visit to the local market.

Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 11: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive towards the northern part of Thimphu for an hour and :

• start your hike to Tango Monastery, the hike takes about 45 minutes up hill on the right of the motor road, at the same level as Chagri meditation center but out of sight. Tango dates originally from 13th century as it was the residence of Phajo Drugom Shigpo who introduces the Drukpa Kagyupa School in Bhutan. It was rebuilt in its present form in 1688 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the 4th Temporal Ruler in the 18th century. The monastery was restored in the mid-1990s and is now used as an upper –education-level monastic school.
•  On the way back visit Pangri Zampa Temple, it is situated just beyond Dechenphodrang, two imposing structures are set in the middle of a meadow, not far from the river, this was the residences of Shabdrung Ngaywang Namgyal when he arrive in Bhutan in the year 1616 AD. The temple was built during the first quarter of the 16th century, a prayer wall covered with carved and painted stones, and huge cypress trees combine to give this place an almost magical charm. It is now the seat of the monastic school of astrology. 

Evening drive to Paro.

Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 12: Paro Sightseeing

 After breakfast sightseeing in paro

• After lunch visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower but now housing the National Museum. Ta Dzong holds unique and varied collections, ranging from ancient armor to textiles, thangkha paintings, stamps, coins, and natural history.
• Then walk down a hillside trail to visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) which means “the fortress of the heap of jewels.”  Built in 1646 during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It now houses Paro monk body and the offices of the civil administration. Rinpung Dzong is the venue for the famous Paro Tsechu, held annually in the spring. In the evening take a stroll around Paro market.
•  After lunch, drive up valley to Drukgyel Dzong or “the fort of Drukpa victory”. In former times, the Bhutanese repelled invasions by Tibetans from this fortress. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins still present an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Bhutan’s sacred mountain, Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong. Also visit a traditional Bhutanese house in the village nestled below the dzong.

Overnight Hotel in Paro

Day 13: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Your day start with the excursion hike to famous Taktsang monastery located on a cliff 3000ft above Paro valley. After breakfast drive to the starting point of the hike from the hotel.Taktsang (tigers nest) was first blessed by Guru Rimpoche when he visited the place riding on a flying tigress in 8th century. Guru Rimpoche is believed to be meditated in this cave for three months. Later Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, 4thDruk Desi built a monastery on the same location.

The hike is around three hours walk to the monastery, plus two and half hours visiting around with lunch hour and one hour way back to the road head.

Then head back towards Paro town, en route visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, established in the 7th century and one of the two oldest shrines in the kingdom (the other is in Bumthang), marking the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 14: Departure

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch your onward flight. Your escort from Bhutan View Tours & Travels will escort your group till the Flight departure.

Note: the Itinerary is a sample itinerary to give you general idea of the trip schedule. We can further customize the itinerary to suit your specific interest and needs to our valued customers.