Travellers and Magician

Bhutan Methoma Tours welcomes one and all onboard to Bhutan, the last Shangrila on earth.

Day 01: Arrival at Paro, Bhutan

Weaving through the valley, landing at the Paro Airport is like no other landings anywhere in the world. On arrival in Paro, we will receive you and leisurely drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The distance from Paro to Thimphu is 65 km and takes about one-hour drive. After lunch, we will visit the National Memorial Chorten and Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m.

Day 02: Thimphu

In the morning we will visit Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the kingdom, The Buddha Point considered to be the tallest Buddha Statue in the world. After lunch, we will visit the weekend market and Thimphu Dzong. Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m

Day 03: Thimphu

Cheri Monastery Chagri Dorjeden Monastery also called Cheri Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche,[1] the founder of the Bhutanese state. The monastery, which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, is located at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the capital. It sits on a hill above the end of the road at Dodeyna and it takes about an hour to walk up the steep hill to reach the monastery from there.

The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City. The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir.

Hot stone bath in the evening. Hot-stone-bath is a popular form of medication practiced in Bhutan since time immemorial. Hot-stone-bath has no side effects. It is in its pure natural form. The water is collected from a clear spring, unlike most underground water source; it’s free of chemical pesticides and industrial pollutant. The herbs added are collected in pollution free high altitude areas.

Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m

Day 04: Thimphu to Punakha

Thimphu to Punakha. 77km. 3 hours drive to Punakha over the Dochula pass at 3000m. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Lunch at Metshina. After lunch, visit Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kunley in his honour after the lama subdued the demoness of the nearby Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing or empowerment) from the saint. Newborns are also brought here to be named, and all leave with the same name: Chimi (or Chimmi).

Make a small offering and you will be rewarded with a blessing from the lama’s wooden phallus, tusk and his iron archery set. Mothers-to-be pray to a fertility goddess and then select their future baby’s name from a collection of bamboo slips. The small chorten on the altar is said to have been crafted by Drukpa Kunley himself. Overnight in Punakha / Altitude: 1250m.

Day 05: Punakha

Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. Today, the Central Monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets cold in Thimphu. With the climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with abundance of fruits and rice.

After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which showcases the perfect example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. Two major rivers in Bhutan the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu converge in this valley. Punakha Dzong is built at the confluence of these two rivers. On October 13, 2011, the wedding of the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his fiancé, Jetsun Pema, was held at the Punakha Dzong.

After lunch, a thirty-minute drive from the Punakha Dzong will bring us to the base of the hill on which Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten is built. From the car park, you have to cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before you start climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. It takes about one hour from the car park to hike up to the temple, and thirty minutes to hike down.

In the evening, we will stroll around old Punakha town and Khuruthang (new town). Overnight in Punakha.

Day 06: Punakha – Phobjikha

Morning drive to Phobjikha. Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. In addition to the cranes there are also muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes in the surrounding hills. The Nakey Chhu drains the marshy valley, eventually flowing into the lower reaches of the Punak Tsang Chhu. Some people refer to this entire region as Gangte (or Gangtey), after the goemba that sits on a ridge above the valley. Experience the hospitality spirit of Phobjikha by staying with a local family. This option provides guests with two opportunities. The product entails living with a family to experience and learn about the way of life of local people including overnight stay in the households, local food and drinks, interaction with family members, and participation in daily household chores such as cooking, milking of cow, making butter, cheese, feed livestock etc. Depending on the season, visitors may also have the opportunity to participate in gardening and farm activities including crop plantation, harvesting etc.

Day 07: Phobjikha – Bumthang

Morning drive to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. On the way, visit the shooting site of Travellers and Magicians at Chendebji if it did not give way to the road widening. Travellers and Magicians is a 2003 Bhutanese Dzongkha language film written and directed by Khyentse Norbu, a reincarnate lama of Tibetan Buddhism, who is also known as Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. The movie is the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Evening visit to local shops in Bumthang.

Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 08: Bumthang

Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m (8,530-13,125ft) in central Bhutan. This area is home to many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries.

After breakfast, go to witness Jakar Tshechu at Jakar Dzong in Choekhor, Bumthang. Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird” is the administrative center of the region. Whole day at the tshechu.

Day 09: Bumthang

After breakfast, drive and visit the Burning Lake, Mebar Tsho. According to the legend Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake centuries earlier. However the people of Tang and the local ruler were cynical of his claims. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. After remaining under water for a long time he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp held in his hand still burning bright. Thereafter, the lake came to be known as Mebartsho (the burning Lake). The Burning Lake, Mebar Tsho is located along the way to the Tang village over the feeder road under Bumthang valley. It takes approximately thirty minutes drive to the Mebar Tsho from Chamkhar town.

Day 10: Bumthang

After Breakfast, we will visit Kurje Lhakhang which is considered one of the most sacred places in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche meditated there. Later we will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, which contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings.

After lunch, we will then visit Jambey Lhakhang which was erected in the 7th century, when Buddhism was first introduced into Bhutan.

Day 11: Bumthang to Wangduephodrang

Morning drive to Punakha. On the way, visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1647, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. We will also stop to visit the ruins of the remarkable Wangduephodrang Dzong, stretched along a spur at the confluence of two rivers, which unfortunately was razed to the ground in a fire in 2012. Rebuilding Wangdiphodrang Dzong is a massive undertaking, and plans are well underway to rebuild. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

Day 12: Wangduephodrang to Paro

Morning drive from Punakha to Paro, about 3 hours drive. Near Chhuzom, we will visit the shooting spots of the film Travellers and Magicians opposite Dobji Dzong accompanied by the actor himself. On arrival in Paro is also home to the National museum. The museum is set in Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Another site worth visiting Paro is Drugyel dzong or The Fortress of the Victorious Bhutanese. This dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 to commemorate his victory over marauding Tibetan armies. Though the fortress was destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins remain an impressive and imposing sight. Overnight in Paro.

Day 13: Taktsang Hike (Tiger’s Nest)

After early breakfast, drive to Taktsang base. Hike up to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest as most people call it. This magical Temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800 m above the valley. It is believed that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochee, a tantric master flew on the back of a tigress from the eastern Bhutan and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will take most of our morning. In the afternoon, we will host a special prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 old Kichu Lhakhang Temple to bring you good luck for the rest of your journey. Overnight in Paro.

Total Hiking time from the base and return: 2.30 hours.

Day 13: Taktsang Hike (Tiger’s Nest)

After breakfast, stroll around Paro town for handicrafts and gifts shops. We will then see you off from Paro Airport to onward journey.

TASHI DELEK.

*Note:

In a group of 11 pax or more, to and return air ticket from any sector for 1 pax is totally free
In a group of 16 pax or more, 1 pax is total free including to and return air ticket except for the US$40 one time visa fee
For a group of 11 pax or more, free rafting for over an hour and half, free hot stone baths
Accommodation in Thimphu would be in a 4-star hotel and the other places would be in a 3-star hotel
Home stay can be arranged based on the guest’s preferences
Tree plantation in happiness garden can be arranged at US$ 5 per tree
Meeting with head abbots and meditation can be arranged in Pagodas, guests can make small offerings
Lighting of butter lamps in Pagodas is also arranged
Local dress ‘Gho’ for men and ‘Kira’ for guests can also be arranged for photo sessions and occasions
A Vietnamese-speaking guide can be arranged at an additional cost of U$100 per day.
If the tour coincides with festivals, arrangements to witness/participate is made
Ask your local tour operator for festival dates