15 NIGHTS 16 DAYS BHUTAN TEXTILE TOUR
Day 01: Arrive Paro ,Paro-Thimphu
Paro to Thimphu: Distance: 54 km, estimated driving time: 1 hour
Arrive Paro by Drukair
After the immigration formalities and collection of your baggages. You will be received by the representative of Access Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.
Travel to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. Check into your hotel and after a refreshment visit 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 traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.
And also visit The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which 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.
Dinner and Overnight at Namgay Heritage Hotel or similar in Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu Tour and Sightseeing
After breakfast 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.
- Changzamtog Weaving Centerwhich is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
- National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
- Centenary Farmers’ market where farmers would be selling their wide range of farm produces (vegetables from farms and wild ferns or bamboo shoots collected from forest, flour, rice, roasted rice, rice flakes, spices, yams both cultivated and wild ones collected from forests, fruits, etc) and livestock products (mainly cheese and butter). Free interaction with people from town as well as from villages come to this weekend market. Weekend market is from Thursday-Sunday (4 days)
After lunch visit the following:
- Folk Heritage Museum: to get a glimpse of typical traditional Bhutanese rural life.
- Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages.
- Then visit Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.
- Walk through Thimphu town and you may visit local handicraft stores
Dinner and overnight at Namgay Heritage or similar in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu-Punakha-Wangduephodrang
Distance: 71 km, 2½ hour driving time
After breakfast, travel to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass elevation (3140 m).
Then drive further onto Dochula Pass. In the clear sky; enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. Also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple) .The temple was built to honor His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the lhakhang that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future.
Then drive onto Punakha
On the way, stop at Metsina village for lunch and after lunch take a 20 minute walk through the paddy fields to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
Then walk over traditional canteliver bridge to visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).
Then walk for about 15 minutes to one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan spanning 350 m and perched high above the very swift Pho chu (male river). Draped with prayer flags ,the bridge connects the town of Punakha and Punakha Dzong.This bridge is mainly used by locals from the village located on the other side of the river as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Lobesa or Meri Puensum Resort or similar in Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha Short Nature & Cultural Hike & Punakha-Phobjikha valley
Distance: 68 km & estimated driving time: 2 hours
After breakfast travel through upper Punakha valley and take a leisure walk passing through suspension bridgeand through paddy fields to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang . The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.It provides good opportunity for photography.
Then visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there. This scenic place gives you a good opportunity for photography.
After lunch travel to Phobjikha valley through Wangdue and through conifer and broadleaf forests. Phobjikha valley lies within Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park ( former Black Mountain National park). The park remains one of the largest undisturbed tracks of forest anywhere in the Himalaya’s. The varying altitude and rainfall have created a wide range of climatic conditions, making it home to many species of plants, animals and birds.
On arrival at Phobjikha valley, check into you hotel in Phobjikha valley and after refreshment visit take a short hike from Gangtey Monastery along the Gangtey Nature Trail enjoying spectacular view of several villages in Phobjikha valley. You will end your hike at Black Necked crane center and visit the Black necked crane center (cranes will start immigrating to this area by December). From black crane center take short walk through fields and farmhouses where you can have free interaction with local people and visit their houses.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Dewachen or similar in Phobjikha valley.
Day 05: Phobjikha-Bumthang via Trongsa
Distance: 155 km, estimated travel time: 7 hrs
After breakfast travel to Bumthang through Trongsa with lunch enroute. The drive will take you through dense forests of oak and blue pine trees and through the subtropical vegetation. The journey will also take you through Pele la pass (3300m). Throughout your trip you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road which makes for good photographing. You will also pass through open meadows, and valley of yak herders and several other villages via Chendebji Chorten ( Stupa) . On arrival at Trongsa, stop for refreshment and visit National Museum which is housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower). A museum in which aspects of Bhutanese culture and history are explained beautifully by objects. Documentary will be shown too which explains a great deal about Bhutanese history and history of monarch.
Also visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural .
Then travel to Bumthang passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). On the way visit “Yathra” Weaving Centre at Zugney Village where you will see local weavers weaving Yathra. Yathra is the name for the colorful, hand-woven woolen cloth (often with geometric designs) that is produced in this region and wool used for this type of textile is sheep wool as the sheep is reared in this Bumthang Valley. Yathra is made into jackets or bags, etc.
You are expected to arrive Bumthang in the evening.
Dinner and Overnight at Jakar Village Lodge or Peling hotel or similar in Bumthang.
Day 06:Bumthang Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Tamshing Lhakhang. This temple is also known as Tamshing Lhendrup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message). Then take a gentle and pleasant walk crossing a suspension bridge to Kurjey Lhakhang. Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, "Body imprint"). The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and left his body imprint. After visiting Kurjey Lhakhang take another few minutes walk to Jambay Lhakhang.Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms.
Then visit a farmhouse in Bumthang to try authentic traditional dishes of Bumthang Valley for lunch.
After lunch drive to Dorjibi weaving center which is located in Dorjibi village, half an hour drive from Bumthang town, has about 20 women engaged in making Bhutanese weaves using local dyes and improved looms. It is joint initiative by WWF Bhutan and Wangchuck Centennial Park aimed at providing additional source of income for the mostly potato growing communities, preserve the culture of weaving using locally available raw materials and reduce pressure on natural resources.
In the late after stroll around the beautiful landscape of the Bumthang Jakar valley
Dinner at the farmhouse in Bumthang Valley and overnight at same hotel in Bumthang
Day 07: Bumthang Tang Valley Excursion
After breakfast travel for about an hour to the beautiful lush but remote Tang valley. Tang valley is one of the four valleys in Bumthang district. The people of this valley raise sheep and at a higher elevation yaks are raised too as the soil this valley is not so rich for cultivation.
You will visit the century old Ugyencholing Heritage Museum, which once belongs to the Royal Family of Tang valley. Lunch will be served at a farmhouse.
Then travel back to Bumthang Jakar , on the way visit Mebar Tsho ( Burning lake) . This deep blue and alluring lake is one of the most sacred sites in the region and relates to the famous treasure revealer, Terton Pema Lingpa.
In the evening visit Bumthang town.
Dinner and Overnight at Jakar Village Lodge or Peling hotel or similar in Bumthang.
Day 08:Bumthang – Mongar
Distance:197 km, driving time: 9 hours
After breakfast, travel to Mongar following the highway leading to Eastern Bhutan. The drive winding through more rugged terrain. before climbing sharply to the highest motor road pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla Pass 12,465 ft. Gradually drop down to Sengor. You will come across cascading waterfalls along the way. The descent stops at 2,130 ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. Climb again through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town.
Dinner and overnight at Wangchuk Hotel or similar in Mongar.
Day 09: Mongar- Lhuentse-Mongar
After early breakfast, drive about 77 km to Lhuentse with a packed lunch as there are no good restaurants and hotels in Lhuentse district. Lhuentse is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs,gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is notably famous for its special skills of weavers, and special textiles and fabrics. Textiles from Lhuentse is normally considered to be the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is also the ancestral home of the Royal dynasty in Bhutan.
After lunch, walk to Khoma village which is famous for textile in Bhutan.Here you will see women folks weaving different types of textiles with intricate patterns. If you would like, you may also purchase textiles at a little cheaper rate than handicraft shops.
If time permits, Lhuentse Dzong: The approach to this Dzong (fort) is through a flag-stone-paved path over the vertical drops. The Dzong houses a body of 100 monks of the country. In the 16th century Pema Lingapa's son Kunga Wangpo set up this Dzong in the form of a small Gompa. In 1654 it was renovated by the Trongsa penlop Mingyur Tenpa.
Drive back to Mongar for overnight stay at the same hotel in Mongar
Day 10: Mongar-Trashigang Ranjung-Khaling-Trashigang
After breakfast visit Mongar Dzong, built not too long ago,yet maintains the architectural traditions of the old dzongs.
Then drive to Rangjung with lunch enroute. On arrival at Radhi visit Radhi village. Radhi is famous for raw silk, which is known as bura. You can also witness women weaving raw silk.
Then drive to Trashigang. Check into hotel in Trashigang.
Dinner and Overnight at Druk Deothjung Resort or similar in Trashigang.
Day 11:Trashigang-Khaling Waeving Center-Khaling
After breakfast drive to Khaling and visit Weaving Center which is operated by the National Women's Association of Bhutan. And you can see the girls weaving different types of textiles out of back strap loom. We can also visit to the house of a private weaver to see the techniques of Bhutanese dye
After lunch travel back to Trashigang and visit After refresgment visit Trashigang Dzong, which was built by Pekar Chopel in 1659, and the Dzong commands a remarkable view over the surrounding countryside.
Dinner and Overnight at Druk Deothjung Resort or similar in Trashigang.
Day 12: A day trip to Tashiyangtse
After breakfast, drive to Tashiyangtse. The people here are known for making wooden bowls and containers, which are said to be the best quality found in Bhutan. Visit the Arts School and the Chorten Kora. On the way to Tashiyangtse you will stop at the Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in a cave in which you can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body on the rock. Then visit the abandoned iron chain link bridge behind the village of Duksum. It is said that this is the last remaining bridge of those built by a Tibetan bridge builder by the name of Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th century. Finally drive back to Trashigang.
Overnight at the same hotel in Trashigang.
Day 13:Yongphula (Trashigang) to Paro & Paro sightseeing
After breakfast our tour guide and driver will see you off at Yongphula domestic airport for your flight to Paro
On arrival at Paro you will be received by our another tour guide and driver and after lunch
drive to parking lot near Paro Dzong and walk over traditional Cantilever Rimpung bridge which is oldest bridge in Bhutan to visit Paro dzong Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. From the Dzong you will walk back down to Rimpung Bridge.
Then visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo.
In the evening explore Paro town.
Dinner and overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort or similar in Paro
Day 14: Paro-Haa Valley
Distance: 68 km,Estimated driving time: h2rs
After breakfast you will travel to Haa Valley through Chelela pass . The drive will take you through farmlands and scattered hamlets and gradually climbing to the Chele La Pass, 3822 m high, with spectacular glimpses of the Bhutan Himalayan mountain peaks all the way. From Chelela pass in the clear spring sky you will get a great view of Mt. Jhomolari. You will also get a good view of Paro and Haa valleys. You can take about an hour or 2 hike at Chelela to get better view of Himalayan .
Then travel onto Haa valley.
On arrival at Haa valley check into your hotel. After lunch Valley you will either visit Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) or Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) or both depending on your interest. Local legend has it that deity helped construct the temple thus giving the name to Haa, meaning ‘surprise’. Haa is overlooked by three mountains called ‘Rig Sum Gonpa’ which signify three Buddha deities; Jambayang, Chana Dorji and Chenrizig. Haa was not opened up to tourists until 2002 so remains relatively unspoilt by the 21st C.
You will also visit Haa Town.
Day 14:Haa-Paro
After breakfast walk through a village in Haa valley visiting farmhouses .
After lunch travel to Paro through the stretch of villages of Dogakha, Susuna and Jabana visiting typical Bhutanese farmhouses along the way and you will see farmers working in their farms.
Dinner and Overnight at Tashi Namgar Resort or similar in Paro.
Day 15: A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
After breakfast, drive to Paro and drive further for about 20 minutes to the base of Taktsang Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Take photos with great view of Taktsang behind you.
Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point.
In the evening relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath at farmhouse in Paro valley.
Tradtional Hotstone bath: A traditional Bhutan hot stone bath uses river rocks that therapists place in water where they crack and steam, releasing key minerals and relieving deep-set aches.
You will also see around inside of the traditional Bhutanese house.
You will enjoy traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.
Overnight at same hotel in Paro.
Day 16: Paro-Departure
After breakfast, your tour guide from Access Bhutan Tours will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight out of Paro.
***Tashi Delek & Thank You***
