This 17 day itinerary traverses Bhutan west to east as far as the renowned Bumthang Valley. Your adventure begins with several days exploring Kathmandu, staying in the exquisite heritage-style, Dwarika’s Hotel, after which you fly to Bhutan to explore the Paro, Thimpu, Phobjikha and Punakha Valleys. You visit ancient monasteries and hike to the magical ridge top “tigers nest” of Takshang Monastery.

The trip is available on a private basis to suit your own dates and may be modified if required to make it slightly longer or shorter. Modifications will affect the cost.

The price for this itinerary is as follows: US $ 4300.00 per person travelling based on of 2 persons in the group on a sharing basis US $ 745.00 single supplement

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by an Escape 2 Nepal representative and transferred to the award winning Dwarika’s hotel which is located close to the airport and about 15 minutes from the city centre. Day 02: Half day sightseeing of Kathmandu A pre-trip briefing will be conducted today in which maps and other general information will be distributed. This will also offer you the ideal opportunity to ask any last minute questions that you may have. A half day sightseeing tour will also be arranged. In hidden corners of fabled Kathmandu, the ancient past lingers on in a maze of narrow streets crowded with turmeric sellers, small golden temples, wandering cows, and traditional workshops. Our half day exploration takes us to places such as in to the old part of the Kathmandu City and to the 2000 year old Bhoudanath Stupa. About Kathmandu: Once a traditional medieval city of breathtaking Newari architecture, Kathmandu is now fully grown into an urban capital with a population of half-million people. Nevertheless, it has not lost its magic, especially in the ancient, narrow streets and in countless temples and shrines where Buddhist and Hindu iconography mix in fantastic ways. Bodha is a 1,400-year-old stupa that attracts pilgrims from across Buddhist Asia. At Bodha, we see pilgrims circling the stupa to make a kora, turning the stupa's giant prayer wheels as they go. With new monasteries sprouting up all around it, Bodha is rapidly becoming a world center of Tibetan Buddhist study. Swayambu is an ancient Buddhist temple with commanding views of the valley. We make a steep climb of 300 steps to reach this stupa. Swayambu was established as a shrine around 500 BC and by the 13th century AD, had become an important center of Buddhist learning. Its eyes, painted on four cardinal points, keep watch over the Kathmandu Valley. Pashupatinath, with its triple-roofed temple, burning ghats, and wandering sadhus (holy men) along the sacred Bagmati, is one of four major sites of Shiva worship on the subcontinent. Its temples and ghats are set along the Bagmati because the waters of this river eventually river flow south to join the mighty Ganges, holy river of India. Entrance to Pashupatinath's inner temple precinct is for Hindus only, but from the outside, we are able to see the huge structure of Nandi, the bull, and a smaller statue of Hanuman. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel. Day 03: Kathmandu- Paro Transferred to the airport for the flight to Paro, Bhutan. During this flight, you will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchanjunga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by our representative in Bhutan.. Evening visit the Paro market and take a stroll through town's main street. Over night in a Paro Hotel. Day 04: Thimpu-Trongsa Today we drive to Trongsa via Wangdiphodrang crossing Dochula pass (alt. 3,100 m) where you can see the 108 beautiful chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan.Drive onward crossing Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa. Day 05: Trongsa- Bumthang Today we visit Trongsa dzong built in the 17th Century. It is one of the largest and most important Dzong in the country. It was also the ancestral home of our royal family. Then drive to Bumthang passing Yotongla at 3425m marked by a Tibetan chorten and array of prayer flags. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 06: Bumthang. Today we take for a full day sightseeing in Bumthang. This valley is considered the most beautiful, scared, religious and domain of the Bhutanese Royal family. It is here in the 8th Century, an Indian saint known as Guru Padmasambhava introduced the Buddhism and the area continues to thrive as a spiritual center. Pilgrims all over the country visits here. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang( the one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo ) Kurjey Lhakhang ( the body imprint of Guru Padmasambhava) and then walk towards eastern valley across foot bridge and downstream past Do Zam to Tamshing Goemba. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang. Day 07: Bumthang – Phobjikha Today we drive from Bumthang to Phobjikha valley. Enroute visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in the Kingdom. Then drive further down till we reach Phobjikha valley (2,800m), the winter home of the endangered, Black Necked Cranes. These cranes migrate from Central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. (Note: The cranes are in the valley from late October till mid February only) Overnight at Hotel in the valley. Day 08: Phobjikha - Wangdi In the morning we visit the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), Crane Observation & Education Center. Here you can use the centers’ powerful binoculars to observe the cranes in the valley and also get information about the cranes. In the afternoon drive to Chuzomsa (Wangdi)and Overnight Kichu Hotel Day 09: Phobjikha to Punakha This morning drive from Phobjikha to Punakha. Enroute, visit the remarkable Wangdue Phodrang, a 17th century fortress-dzong perched on a spur. Have lunch in Wangi and then continue on to Punakha. En route, enjoy a half-hour walk through mustard fields to Chimi Lhakhang (lhakhang means temple), a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags atop a picturesque hill, has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Visit Wangdi’s ancient dzong, the Wangdi Phrodang, and the town itself. Overnight at Zangtho Pelri or Meri Puensum Lodge in Punakha. Punakha: The winter capital was established in this location in part because Punakha is a warm valley with a relatively low altitude of 4,100 feet, allowing for the production of two rice crops each year, along with oranges, mangos, and bananas. In Punakha, you may see people from the remote village of Laya. The Layap, as they are known, are yak herders who make the three- or four-day walk to Punakha from their high-altitude villages in northwest Bhutan. Women of Laya wear conical bamboo hats with a center spike of bamboo, and Laya’s men wear black woolen coats. Day 10: Punakha – Punakha Visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu (the Mother and Father rivers). The Punakha Dzong is an architectural wonder and seat of the head abbot of Bhutan, and has survived six fires, two glacial lake bursts, and an earthquake. Overnight at Zangtho Pelri or Meri Puensum Lodge in Punakha, former winter capital of Bhutan. Day 11: Punakha-Thimpu A morning drive brings us to Thimphu, where you visit the National Library, with its ancient manuscripts, and the Arts and Crafts School, where children are trained in traditional Bhutanese painting, sculpture, and woodcarving. At Thimphu’s Folk Heritage Museum, founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, you see traditional utensils used in farming, cooking, religious ritual and everyday life, and learn about Bhutanese folklore and legends. Overnight at the Druk or Dragon Roots Hotel located in the centre of town. About Thimphu: Thimphu was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's official national capital. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Je Khempo, Bhutan’s chief abbot. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk was the main architect of modern Bhutan. He died in 1972 and was succeeded by his son, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who was age 17 at the time. Day 12: Thimphu Morning hike to Chowki Traditional Arts School with packed lunch. Meet the students and enjoy a briefing about the School by the Principle. Afternoon at leisure or visit the Choki Handicrafts shop where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are displayed and can be purchased. The shop is closely linked to Choki Traditional Art School– many goods are produced in the school itself and all proceeds go towards the upkeep of the school and the provision of free tuition for the students. Overnight at the Druk or Dragon Roots Hotel located in the centre of town. Day 13: Thimpu - Paro Drive back to Paro App. 65 Km (2 hours). Afternoon sightseeing of Paro, visit the Ta-Dzong built in the 17th century, as the watch tower to defend Paro Dzong below. This Dzong was later converted into the National Museum in 1968, and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour. Take a leisurely walk down to Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley, against the Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and School for Monks. Overnight at Hotel in Paro. Day 14: Paro – visit Taksang Monastery Drive to the foot of the Taksang Monastery and begin hike up through pine forests festooned with Spanish moss to reach to the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the “Tiger's Nest,” built into a sheer cliff face about 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. It is the most famous temple in Bhutan. Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the great 8th century Buddhist saint and teacher, is thought to have landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan. The primary temple was built around Padmasambhava's meditation cave in 1684. Enjoy lunch en route at a teahouse midway with fantastic views of the monastery. Those who opt out of the hike may instead visit Kyichu Lhakahang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples—the first built by Buddhist Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and the second by the Queen Mother of Bhutan in 1968. Overnight at Hotel in Paro. Day 15: Paro-Kathmandu Drive to Paro Airport and take the stunning flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival met and transferred to Dwarika’s Hotel. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel. Day 16: Day in Kathmandu Today enjoy a leisurely lunch at the exclusive Shivapuri Heights Cottage in the hills just north of Kathmandu. Overnight at the Dwarika’s Hotel. Day 17: International flight Transfer to the International airport for your final departure from Kathmandu.

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