Land of the Thunder Dragon
Discover a little-known kingdom deep in the Himalaya
This Himalayan Kingdom calls itself Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon, and carefully guards the traditions of its past.
Little touched by the outside world the traditions of art and architecture and, most importantly, religion are upheld. The modern world is admitted only cautiously. The result allows you an encounter with a stunning, pristine landscape of forest and mountains, a proud, friendly people and a vibrant, living religious tradition.
Trip Itinerary
Days 1-2
Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. On day 2 a full day tour introduces to some of the wonders of Kathmandu.
Day 3
The flight from Kathmandu provides a most dramatic view of the Himalaya as you fly alongside it. The tiny town of Paro, bursting with colour and tradition, is overlooked by a dramatic dzong. Fields, cover most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside - the houses here are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country. In the afternoon visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Days 4-5
Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the west bank of the Thimphu River. Quiet and peaceful, with its streets lined with traditional shop fronts, this town seems almost too small to be a capital – it is often said to be the only one without traffic lights. Beautiful textiles in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
Day 6
The road to Punakha and Wangdue crosses the Dochula Pass (3150 m), offering a great view of the Eastern Himalaya. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers, completely covering it and commanding an impressive view . Across the river, comes the first glimpse of the picturesque village of Rinchengang whos inhabitants are celebrated stonemasons. Punakha Dzong is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, it is built between two rivers known as “Phochu” (Male River) and “Mochu” (Female River).
Day 7
Cross the Black Mountains to Trongsa. The approach is spectacular, for miles on the end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west.
Days 8- 9
The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys: Choskhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The Dzongs and the most important temples are in the large Choskhor valley, commonly referred to as Bumthang Valley. There are two versions of the origin of the name - the valley is supposed to be shaped like a Bumpa, a vessel that contains holy water, and Thang meaning ‘field’ or ‘flat place.’ The religious connotation of the name aptly applies to the sacred character of the region. The less respectful translation relates to the particularly beautiful women who live here – bum means girl. It would be difficult to find so many important temples and monasteries in such a small area anywhere else in Bhutan. Southeast of Jakar 48 km, Ura is the highest of Bumthang’s Valleys and is believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. Ura is quite a large village, dominated by the Lhakhang, with about 40 closely packed houses along cobblestone streets, giving the town a medieval atmosphere.
Day 10
Retrace the route back to overnight at Wangdue.
Days 11-12
Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of the monks. The name Taktsang means ‘Tigers Nest’; the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. Nearby Paro are the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, a site of great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. It offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of Goddess” (7329 m). A short distance south of the road is Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple is said to be one of the 12 great geomantic temples ordered built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. It holds down the left foot of an ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of central Tibet.
Days 13-14
The early morning flight back to Kathmandu leaves the rest of the day free for shopping and sightseeing. You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Tour cost includes
»All accommodation (twin share)
»Land transport as per itinerary
»All airport transfers
»Sightseeing as per itinerary
»All meals in Bhutan
»Breakfast only in Kathmandu
»English speaking guide
Not included in the tour cost
»Personal expenses such as drinks, postage, laundry and souvenirs.
»Meals
»International flights and departure taxes
»Visa and passport fees
»Travel insurance
»Emergency evacuation
»Tips and gratuities
»Costs arising from unforeseen events outside the control of Shiva Outdoors (eg. Landslides)
Note
Please note that the published itinerary is a statement of intent and to be used as a guide only. The guide in charge of your trip will alter the schedule if conditions necessitate and any/all such alterations are at the discretion of Shiva Outdoors and your guide.
This Himalayan Kingdom calls itself Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon, and carefully guards the traditions of its past.
Little touched by the outside world the traditions of art and architecture and, most importantly, religion are upheld. The modern world is admitted only cautiously. The result allows you an encounter with a stunning, pristine landscape of forest and mountains, a proud, friendly people and a vibrant, living religious tradition.
Trip Itinerary
Days 1-2
Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. On day 2 a full day tour introduces to some of the wonders of Kathmandu.
Day 3
The flight from Kathmandu provides a most dramatic view of the Himalaya as you fly alongside it. The tiny town of Paro, bursting with colour and tradition, is overlooked by a dramatic dzong. Fields, cover most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside - the houses here are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country. In the afternoon visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Days 4-5
Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the west bank of the Thimphu River. Quiet and peaceful, with its streets lined with traditional shop fronts, this town seems almost too small to be a capital – it is often said to be the only one without traffic lights. Beautiful textiles in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
Day 6
The road to Punakha and Wangdue crosses the Dochula Pass (3150 m), offering a great view of the Eastern Himalaya. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers, completely covering it and commanding an impressive view . Across the river, comes the first glimpse of the picturesque village of Rinchengang whos inhabitants are celebrated stonemasons. Punakha Dzong is the winter residence of Bhutan’s spiritual leader, it is built between two rivers known as “Phochu” (Male River) and “Mochu” (Female River).
Day 7
Cross the Black Mountains to Trongsa. The approach is spectacular, for miles on the end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west.
Days 8- 9
The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys: Choskhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The Dzongs and the most important temples are in the large Choskhor valley, commonly referred to as Bumthang Valley. There are two versions of the origin of the name - the valley is supposed to be shaped like a Bumpa, a vessel that contains holy water, and Thang meaning ‘field’ or ‘flat place.’ The religious connotation of the name aptly applies to the sacred character of the region. The less respectful translation relates to the particularly beautiful women who live here – bum means girl. It would be difficult to find so many important temples and monasteries in such a small area anywhere else in Bhutan. Southeast of Jakar 48 km, Ura is the highest of Bumthang’s Valleys and is believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. Ura is quite a large village, dominated by the Lhakhang, with about 40 closely packed houses along cobblestone streets, giving the town a medieval atmosphere.
Day 10
Retrace the route back to overnight at Wangdue.
Days 11-12
Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of the monks. The name Taktsang means ‘Tigers Nest’; the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. Nearby Paro are the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, a site of great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. It offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of Goddess” (7329 m). A short distance south of the road is Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple is said to be one of the 12 great geomantic temples ordered built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. It holds down the left foot of an ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of central Tibet.
Days 13-14
The early morning flight back to Kathmandu leaves the rest of the day free for shopping and sightseeing. You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Tour cost includes
»All accommodation (twin share)
»Land transport as per itinerary
»All airport transfers
»Sightseeing as per itinerary
»All meals in Bhutan
»Breakfast only in Kathmandu
»English speaking guide
Not included in the tour cost
»Personal expenses such as drinks, postage, laundry and souvenirs.
»Meals
»International flights and departure taxes
»Visa and passport fees
»Travel insurance
»Emergency evacuation
»Tips and gratuities
»Costs arising from unforeseen events outside the control of Shiva Outdoors (eg. Landslides)
Note
Please note that the published itinerary is a statement of intent and to be used as a guide only. The guide in charge of your trip will alter the schedule if conditions necessitate and any/all such alterations are at the discretion of Shiva Outdoors and your guide.
Photos
Trip Highlights
»Taktsang, the
"Tiger's Nest", most famous of Bhutan's monasteries.
»15th century Paro Dzong.
»Stunning mountain landscapes.
»a culture steeped in tradition.
»Medieval villages of Bumthang, oldest inhabited region of Bhutan.
»Punaka Dzong - the most beautiful in Bhutan.
»The tiny capital of Thimphu.
»Beautiful weavings.
»Bird’s eye view of the Himalaya on the flight between Kathmandu and Paro.
»15th century Paro Dzong.
»Stunning mountain landscapes.
»a culture steeped in tradition.
»Medieval villages of Bumthang, oldest inhabited region of Bhutan.
»Punaka Dzong - the most beautiful in Bhutan.
»The tiny capital of Thimphu.
»Beautiful weavings.
»Bird’s eye view of the Himalaya on the flight between Kathmandu and Paro.
Best Time
May-December
© All Rights Reserved. Shiva Outdoors.
Tel: 977-1-6212456, Fax: 977-1-6543213
Email: info@shivaoutdoors.com
Site Credits: Simrik