EXPLORING THE DRAGON KINGDOM The Essence of Bhutan 13 Nights and 14 Days No treks but plenty of good day hikes Day 1 BANGKOK TO PARO (8000 feet) Today is your flight to Bhutan. As we near Bhutan (and if the weather is clear), we can see the massive peaks of the eastern Himalaya, including Kanchenchunga (third highest mountain in the world) and Bhutan's holy mountain, Chomolhari. Once we’ve completed visa formalities we proceed through customs and immigration and meet our Bhutanese tour leader and drivers in the arrival gate. We drive for about 20 minutes to Zhiwaling Hotel where will be received with a Chipdrel Ceremony (an elaborate Traditional welcome procession). After settling into our comfortable hotel, we’ll drive a short distance up the valley to Drukyel Dzong, the ruined fortress that protected the Paro Valley from Tibetan armies during the 18th century. If the weather is clear, we might have a glimpse of the white pyramid of Chomolhari, rising over the end of the valley. Today being our first day, we will undergo this gentle 30 minutes hike around the ruined Dzong to acclimatize before we return to our hotel. By early evening we return to our hotel for a welcome dinner and a brief trip orientation session. Zhiwaling Hotel Day 2 PARO We have a full day to explore the Paro Valley. Our first stop in Paro is the Ta Dzong (National Museum), a circular fortress that once protected this valley from Tibetan invasion. The impressive watchtower can be seen above Paro Rimpung Dzong, and it commands sweeping views of the valley below. Dzongs originally served three purposes: as a fortress, an administrative center of local government, and a residence and focus for the monks' religious activity. The ancient watchtower now houses the National Museum featuring an interesting assortment of costumes from different regions of Bhutan and a wonderful collection of painted and appliqued thangkas (loosely translated as “something that can be rolled up”). Thangkas are religion paintings and typically depict Buddhas, bodhisattvas, or aspects of the Buddhist wheel of life. A short walk takes us to the base of the Paro Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. We then pass Ugyen Pelri, a small jewel-like palace that belongs to the Royal Family of Bhutan. Designed after the celestial paradise of Padmasambhava, the building was completed in the late 1800s. No alterations have been made to the structure or the beautiful carvings and paintings within the palace. A short distance farther is one of the innumerable archery grounds. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and most men grow up learning it. We will witness an archery match staged mainly for our group. There will also be opportunities for the adventurous ones to participate in the game. We will have lunch in one of the quaint local restaurants in Paro town. In the afternoon, we will undergo a hike (relatively flat walk) from town till the 7th century Kichu lakhang (temple). On this hike we will get opportunities to interact with locals besides their homes and on their farm. At the end of our hike, we will visit the very sacred Kichu temple (special permits will be obtained) where we will undergo the water purification ceremony by the head lama (monk) of the temple. After this gratifying ceremony, we drive back for 10 minutes to the hotel. Zhiwaling Hotel Day 3 PARO TO WANGDIPHODRANG This morning we set out for central Bhutan. The drive starts along the winding road following the Pa Chu (river) downstream to its confluence with the Wang Chu, then up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. As we enter the Thimphu Valley we pass Simtokha, the dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the man who unified Bhutan). Simtokha is the oldest of the dzongs. Its prayer wheel alcoves contain slate carvings of Buddhist deities that date from the construction of the dzong. Simtokha now houses a language school where scholars of all ages study Dzongkha, the national language. After a brief stop at Simtokha Dzong, we continue our drive eastwards over the Dochu La (la means “pass”), where in good weather 200 miles of Himalayan summits are visible. While enjoying the view, we will serve picnic lunch at the pass nearby the 108 stupas built by the Queen of Bhutan for the sentient beings and world peace. Here, each individual on the tour will (under the guidance of a Lama-monk) hoist prayer flags at Dochula pass (10,300ft) among the many that are already hoisted by people who pray for good luck and for the liberation of sentient beings. After lunch at the pass, we descend experiencing the dramatic change in vegetation. At the lower elevation of the valley floor, cactus, banana plants, poinsettia and other semi-tropical plants dominate the landscape. After a few hours, we come to the green terraced fields of Punakha Valley, where red rice and winter wheat are the staple crops. By late afternoon we arrive to our comfortable riverside hotel for the night. Chuzomsa hotel or Similar Day 4 WANGDIPHODRANG TO TRONGSA After breakfast we depart for a long day of driving to reach Trongsa. We cross one pass named Pelela (11286 ft) en route to central Bhutan and our drive will take approximately 6-7 hours (depending of course, on the length of each photo and bathroom stop). We continue following the Dang Chu River drainage up towards its source. Climbing steadily, we pass through semi-tropical vegetation -- banana plants and cactus, which eventually give way to pine forests, and then to an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Grey langur monkeys are often seen on this portion of the drive. After crossing Pele La, we’ll make a brief stop at Chendibji Chorten, a shrine of ancient lineage built on the old walking path across the country. The first sight of Trongsa Dzong, the largest in Bhutan, is from across the valley, but the road winds another 20 kilometers before reaching Trongsa. Once in Trongsa, we will visit the Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644 (escorted by a senior lama monk), used to be the seat of power of the Wangchuck dynasty before it became rulers of Bhutan in 1907. Traditionally the King of Bhutan first becomes the Penlop (governor) of Trongsa before being named Crown Prince and eventually King. Built on a mountain spur high above the gorges of the Mangde Chhu, the dzong controlled east-west trade for centuries. The only road connecting eastern and western Bhutan (the precursor to the modern Lateral Road), passed through the courtyard of the dzong. At the command of the penlop the massive doors could be shut, dividing the country in two. Yangkhil Hotel or Similar Day 5 TRONGSA TO BUMTHANG As today’s drive is relatively short, we have time in the morning to explore Trongsa. Before setting out, we’ll visit the Ta Dzong, the watch tower located above the town that houses a wonderful temple to Gesar of Ling, an epic hero of Tibet. Today, this watch tower serves as the museum of the Monarchy. From Trongsa, we continue driving about 2-3 more hours to Bumthang. The road crosses two more mountain passes, the Yutong La (11,155 feet) and the Kiki La (9,515 feet) before reaching Jakar. As we enter the Chume Valley (the first of the four valleys which comprise the Bumthang region) we visit the village of Zugney, which is one of several centers of Yathra weaving. Yathra is the name for the locally produced hand-woven woolen cloth. Distinctive patterns and bright, earthy colors enliven the fabric, which is used for a wide variety of purposes and sought after throughout Bhutan. Here, we will stop for special tea (arranged exclusively for you) and interact with the owners of the weaving center and also provide some opportunity to shop. By early afternoon, we arrive at Jakar. Jakar (altitude 2,800 m or 8680 ft) is the principal administrative town of Bumthang district in central Bhutan. Spacious and surrounded by tree covered mountains, the valley in which Jakar is located (Choekor Valley) is considered to be one of the most beautiful in all Bhutan, and it is commonly referred to as "Little Switzerland". The Jakar area is known as a bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, especially the Nyingma tradition, and there are many monasteries and sacred sites located here. The clusters of villages below the dzong, which are collectively known as Jakar Town, have a population of around 5,000. The main bazaar is currently a row of single storey buildings. However, due to the danger of the nearby river, this will soon be replaced by a new row of two storey shops currently under construction. Jakar was the first place in Bhutan that Guru Rinpoche visited, and as the ruler of the region subsequently converted to Buddhism, Jakar is accorded the title of the birth place of Buddhism in Bhutan. In addition, one of most venerated and accomplished teachers of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism, Pema Lingpa, was born in the Jakar area. Tonight, we will have dinner with local Bhutanese family and guests will have the opportunity to indulge in preparing the famous Bumthang buck wheat pancake and buck wheat noodle that will be served for dinner. Yugarling or Similar Day 6 DAY TRIP TO URA VALLEY Today we drive to the highest of the four smaller valleys that make up the Bumthang region. Enroute, we stop at Membartsho, the “burning lake” - a sacred place associated with Pemalingpa. Membartsho is not actually a lake but rather a water-worn defile in a granite streambed where the water moves slowly.