Cultural and Historical Tour of Bhutan Kingdom

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Cultural and Historical Tour of Bhutan Kingdom

Trip Facts

  • Duration: 7 Days
  • Challenge level : Fair
  • Group size :4 - 10 People
  • Best TimeSpring / Autumn
  • Destination :Bhutan

About Cultural and Historical Tour of Bhutan Kingdom

Bhutan tour provides unparalleled insight into the lives and traditions of Bhutan’s nomadic herders. Immerse yourself in this one of a kind experience by playing the local sports, sampling the delicious home-cooked cuisine and enjoying traditional songs and dances all while imbibing the heady local liquor. 

Haa valley is located very close to the international airport at Paro. To get to Haa you must travel two hours by road and cross the Chelela mountain pass, Bhutan’s highest road pass. With its pristine forests and rugged hills, Haa is an excellent location to enjoy some of the best hiking to be found in the Himalayas. Walk along century’s old trails through mountain slopes covered in Primula Pedicularis, Ranunculus, Aster and several varieties of ferns. You’ll lose yourself amidst fields of white poppies, dense forests of fir trees and crystalline streams brimming with rainbow trout.

At the Haa Summer festival, you will be able to see the rare White Poppy (Meconopsis Superba). This flower typically grows to 1-1.5m in height at high altitudes around 4000m. The White Poppy is endemic to Haa and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Trip Highlights

  • This feature ‘Haa Valley Jaunt’ explores one of the least visited areas of Bhutan, the unspoilt Haa Valley. This tour also visits significant historical and sacred sites in the western valleys of Paro and Thimphu.
  • Explore the unspoilt Haa Valley with its beautiful walking and biking trails.
  • Take in the sweeping views from Chele La Pass including the sacred Mt Jhomolhari
  • Experience Bhutan’s unique culture up-close with farmhouse visits and village excursions.
  • Spend time Marvelling at the ancient wall paintings and carvings in Dzongs and temples.
  • Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.
  • Traverse beautiful landscapes from lush valleys to dense forests.
  • Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums.
  • Hike up to the famous Taktsang Monastery, ( Tiger Nest )perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor.
  • Incorporate a Value-Added Option such as a cooking lesson or meditation session with a monk.
  • Two morning session meditation at tiger nest monastery

Itinerary

This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described.
Be aware that all time stated are approximate and may vary with individual and group fitness, weather, Trekking route, river level and road conditions.

Your first Glimpse of Bhutan Arrive at Paro International Airport Paro Dzong /Fortress of Heaped Jewels National Museum Dungtse Lhakhang/temple- 7th Century 3-storied temple Stroll through the valley Stroll through the numerous small handicraft and souvenir shops and also the vegetable market, Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. Although not what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is still a fitting and lively place. Home to civil servants, expatriates and monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style do full day sightseeing and stay overnight at Thimpu.

Today we will drive from Thimpu to Punakha smooth following Paro chu river till Chuzom and follow Wang chu upstream until the little town of Simtokha and then turn right towards east climbing up to Dochula pass (3,080m), where you have opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend into Wangdi and Punakha Valley at around 1400m. After passing through the junction at Lobesa towards north of Punakha overcoming beautiful village and farm lands bank to Thimpu for overnight stay.

 

Haa Valley” was only recently opened to tourism and has remained beautifully quaint and untainted by the influences of modern development.  Experience Bhutanese hospitality at the beautifully restored Lechuna Heritage Lodge, engage in a variety of hikes that range from easy to moderate, or bike around the valley or riverside in this quiet location.  Our experienced guides lead guests through the Haa and Paro Valleys on day walks, incorporating Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, and a wild hike to Kila Nunnery, between the two valleys.

Chele La Pass and hike to Kila Nunnery (optional bike descents). Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass which (3,988m) from which on a clear day the view sweeps away to Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari(7314m). Striding out along the Edelweiss covered ridge, we pass a sky burial site. We then descend for the two-hour hike through dense rhodendron forest, possibly sighting shaggy yaks, to Kila Goemba, an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside below. KilaGoemba is a serene retreat for 32 Anims (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and meditation. An hour’s descent from the monastery and we are back at the road where we can saddle up on a mountain bike and freewheel down to Paro Valley stay overnight in Paro 

After breakfast, we will hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes us to Taktsang Monastery. Built on 900 metres above the valley floor, the monastery is a spectacular sight. It is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. Legend has it that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.

In the afternoon, we drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against marauding Tibetans in 1644. On the return drive to Paro, we can visit other remote monasteries in the valley overnight stay at Paro.

After Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for fly back to your next destination or home, All of our Bhutan tours are private, tailor-made journeys for you from Adventure Hub Nepal Choice of your date and place. We can easily customise your Bhutan tour to spend more in the places doing the activities that you are interested in. Please sent us email you’re you customise requirements we will be very happy work according to your need.

What's included

Included

  • Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees
  • All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle
  • Local English speaking guide/tour leader
  • Experienced driver
  • Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard government approved hotels & guesthouses
  • All meals in Bhutan , Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner with hot drinks , tea or coffee
  • All entrance fees and permits
  • All government taxes, Vat, tourist Service and official expenses.

What's Excluded

Excluded

  • All personal expenses such as bars, beverages,
  • Laundry and telephone bill
  • Travel Insurance with comprehensive helicopter rescue cover
  • International flight to Bhutan and from
  • Tipping local guides and drivers
  • Entrance fees for temple and monastery.
  • Donations in Temples, schools, Monasteries, etc.
  • Personal First aid kit
  • Emergency Rescue evacuation if you need one
  • Single room supplement on request

About Haa Valley

The Haa Valley is one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. An ideal day trip from Paro beyond the beautiful Chelila Pass, Haa is the ancestral home of the Royal Grandmother and the Dorji family, and is characterised by its rugged and mountainous terrain. Legend says that the Haa valley was previously dominated by animist traditions before the tantric master Padmasambhava visited the valley in the 8th century and transformed their beliefs into peaceful Buddhist traditions. In addition to its natural beauty, Haa also features a number of interesting sites including Chhundu Lhkhang, dedicated to the valley’s protecting deity, 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (white) and Lhakhang Karpo (black) and Haa Dzong. Haa’s annual summer festival provides a fantastic opportunity to participate in the nomadic lifestyle of the Haaps, including savouring their delicious delicacies. You may also compete in the traditional game of khuru, archery and soksum and try hitting the bull’s eye.

Paro tiger nest monastery famose

Paro tiger nest monastery (2,250m), the site of Bhutan’s only airport, is set amongst the pastoral beauty of Paro Valley. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Visitors often spend several days in Paro as there are over 155 temples and monasteries in this area, some dating as far back as 14th century. Athe incredible monastery of Taktsang which clings to a sheer rock cliff, the Tiger’s Nest. This awe-inspiring temple was constructed upon a sheer cliff face, hundreds of meters above forests of oak and rhododendrons and the valley floor. Well worth visiting is the National Museum featuring a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Other nearby  the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of the victorious Drukpas) with its magnificent views of Mount Jumolhari and the 7th century Kyichu Temple.

Punakha Valley

Punakha(1,310m) is Bhutan’s ancient capital and the winter seat of the Central Monastic Body due to its sub-tropical climate. The Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by the Shabdrung (the unifier of Bhutan), is situated on a triangular spit of land at the confluence of two rivers. The body of the Shabdrung, who died in 1651 while in meditation at Punakha, is preserved at the Dzong. Its main temple is breathtaking with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. Other highlights include the incredible views from Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang, dedicated to Bhutan’s popular saint Drukpa Kuenley, otherwise known as the “divine madman” due to his unorthodox methods of religious teaching.

Thimpu capital city of Bhutan

Thimphu(2,350m) is a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Zoning regulations have retained the forms and motifs of Bhutan’s traditional architecture giving the city a wonderful structural harmony amidst the modernity of restaurants, shopping centres, nightclubs and cafes. The Kingdom’s capital city is home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants including the Royal family. Thimphu’s most striking visual landmark is the magnificent Tashichhodzong, the seat of the Royal Government and Central Monastic Body. Semtokha Dzong, 6km from the city limits, is the kingdom’s oldest Dzong and now used as the Dzongkha language school of Bhutan.

A number of institutions in Thimphu such as the Royal School of the Performing Arts, the Folk Heritage Mueseum, the School of Traditional Painting and the Institute of Traditional Medicine offer visitors a fantastic insight into Bhutanese culture. Other attractions include the National Memorial Chorten, the 51.5-metre-high Buddha Dordenma Statue, the Handicrafts Emporium, the National Library (housing a rare collection of Buddhist scriptures) and the lively weekend market.

Price from US$ 1925
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