Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport.
Day 02: Full Day Sightseeing Around Kathmandu Valley.
Day 03: Fly to Paro, Paro - Thimphu (Distance: 54 km, estimated travel time: 1 hr)
Day 04:Thimphu - Punakha & Wangduephodrang
Day 05: Punakha / Wangduephodrang -Paro
Day 06: A Day Hike to Paro Taktsang Goempa ( Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Day 07: Departure from Paro.
Punakha Dzong and then cross the Pho Chu (Pho-Chu means male river), the river that drains remote Lunana region. You will have a steady half-day climb into a forest of scattered long needle Cheri pine.
Make sure to fill your water bottle before leaving Punakha
DAY 01: Arrival at PARO
Your Arrival at PARO Airport. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 02: PARO - THIMPHU
This morning follow the winding road beside the Pa Chu (Chu Means River or water) down stream to its confluence with the Wang Chu then up-valley to Thimphu. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon visit Memorial Chorten of late King and stroll in town. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 03: THIMPHU - SHONG PANG [Trekking]
Drive north up the valley towards Dechencholing Palace (the residence of the Queen Mother) following the Thimphu Chu, the transport will reach you up to Pangrizampa the last motor road point. From here the trek starts towards Shong Pang which takes about 4/5 hours through village and the vegetation. On the way you can see blue pine, oak spices, Rhododendrons etc. Overnight in camp.
DAY 04: SHONG PANG - DOPSHING PANG [Trekking]
The trail trek ascends gradually up till you reach the pass called Sinchula, which is about 3,490m. From this if the weather is clear one can see Phajoding monastery. After 2Km walk you can view Thinley-Gang village, Talo Monastery and the high way towards the ancient capital of Bhutan. The trek from the pass is more or less descends till you reach to camp. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 05: DOPSHING PANG - CHORTEN NINGPO [Trekking]
Today the trek to Chorten Ningpo is rather gradual and will be walking into thick forests and afternoon before you reach to the camp you will pass by the villages and rice field. Overnight in camp. Alt. 2,700m.
DAY 06: CHORTEN NINGPO - ZOMLINGTHANG [Trekking]
For about 2/3 hours the trek trail will be through the villages and then you will reach to the motor road. Follow the road towards Punakha that is the ancient capital of Bhutan. Evening at leisure and those who are interested can fish in MoChu (Mo-Chu means Female River).
DAY 07: ZOMLINGTHANG - LIMBUKHA [Trekking]
Follow the motor road till Punakha Dzong and then cross the Pho Chu (Pho-Chu means male river), the river that drains remote Lunana region. You will have a steady half-day climb into a forest of scattered long needle Cheri pine. Make sure to fill your water bottle before leaving Punakha, as there is no water on the way for couple of hours. You will have a wonderful view of Punakha valley and Dzong. If weather is clear you can see some snow mountains towards the north. The camp is near the Limukha village. Alt. 2,250m.
DAY 08: LIMBUKHA - CHUNGSAKHA [Trekking] - WANGDI
The trek ascends gradually up through the thick forest of oak spices and Rhododendrons till you reach a pass called Do-chula. Then descend through the thick forest till you reach a small monastery dedicated to a lama called Drukpa Kuenley. Then from Chungsakha you can look across the valley to Samtengang on the ridge to south. Walk down hill till you reach the motor road and then drive for about half an hour to Wangdi. Overnight in Wangdi Guest House.
DAY 09: WANGDI - THIMPHU
After breakfast drive to Punakha Dzong. It was Bhutan's capital until 1966. The Je-Khenpo, head abbot of the religion in the country and most of the monks of Thimphu occupy this Dzong throughout the winter since the lower elevation of this valley has more comfortable temperature. Return drive over the Do-chula pass, alt. 10,000 ft. Stopover at Do-chula cafe for a cup of hot tea/coffee and snacks. If the weather is clear you will have beautiful views of the Himalayan Mountains. Continue drive to Thimphu. Afternoon some sightseeing and shopping. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 10: THIMPHU - PARO [Departure] Early morning drive to Paro Airport for your onward departure flight.
Mysteries of the Dragon Kingdom
Taksang Monastery which means Tiger’s Nest, clinging to a stiff cliff above 900 m from the valley. It is believed to be built by the Lord Padmasambhava himself. Lunch at Taksang Jaklang.
Day 01: ARRIVAL IN PARO.
Fly to Paro with breath – taking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchanjunga, Mt. Chomolari, Mt. Jichu Drack, etc. Upon arrival, warm welcome by our representative. Transfer to hotel. Orientation talk and film show about Bhutan. Rest of the day at leisure or visit the local market. O/N hotel.
Day 02: PARO – SIGHTSEEING
Paro Valley sightseeing
Day 04: PARO – THIMPHU
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Visit Simtokha Dzong, a strategic fort built in 1427, national library and the seat of Bhutanese King as well as the Government – Tashicho Dzong. O/N hotel.
Day 05: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA – WANGDI
After 2 & ½ hours of drive, reach Punakha. Visit the Punakha Dzong. Drive further to Wangdipodrang. O/N hotel.
Day 06: WANGDI – TONGSAAfter visiting Wangdipodrang Dzong in the morning, drive over beautiful Pele La pass to Tongsa. O/N hotel.
Day 07: TONGSA – JAKAR Visit the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, the Tongsa Dzong with its major temples. Drive via Chumi valley to have a close look of the daily life of the native people. Arrive at Jakar. O/N hotel.
Day 08: JAKAR EXCURSION
A full day to explore the Bumathang Chokhor valley, its Dzongs, temples and monumets. O/N hotel.
Day 09: JAKAR - TONGSA
Visit Chume Tragar Naktsang and Domkhar Tashicholing Palace before driving to Tongsa. Afternoon, sightseeing of Tongsa and Ta Dzong. O/N hotel.
Day 10: TONGSA – THIMPHU
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu while enjoying the typical and picturesque landscape of Bhutan. O/N hotel.
Day 11: THIMPHU – PARO
A full day to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Thimphu. Witness the mask dance and cultural performance of the royal dance troups. Visit the memorial Chorten, local market and handicraft center. Late afternoon, drive to Paro. O/N hotel.
Day 12: PARO – DEPARTURE
At an appointed time, transfer to airport for flight to onward destination.
END OF PROGRAMME.
Experience Bhutan
Bhutan is a unique country both culturally and environmentally. Perched high in the Himalayas, it is the world’s last remaining Buddhist Kingdom. It has developed the philosophy of Gross National Happiness; where development is measured using a holistic approach of well-being, not just based on gross domestic product. Chilies are considered a vegetable and ema datshi the national dish. Ema datchi consists of green chilies mixed in with a Bhutanese cheese sauce. It is still termed as a third world country with subsistence farming practiced in much of the country. In broad terms the land is fertile and the population small. In addition, the current generation receives free education, and all citizens have access to free, though rudimentary, medical care. The sale of tobacco products is banned and smoking in public areas is a fineable offense.
Major sources of income for the kingdom are tourism, hydroelectric power and agriculture.
While traditional culture has been very well preserved, the opening of the country to TV and internet in 1999 has had a major effect, and modern-day culture is mostly centred on bars and snooker halls. As a result, there is very little or no evidence of quality contemporary art, theatre or music.
Culturally, Bhutan is predominantly Buddhist with Dzongkha as a national language (although there are regional variations - such as Sharchopkha, the predominant language in Eastern Bhutan), and a common dress code and architectural style. Bhutanese people primarily consist of the Ngalops and Sharchops, called the Western Bhutanese and Eastern Bhutanese, and Lhotshamphas (Southern Bhutanese), a people of Nepalese Gurkha Origin, respectively. The Ngalops primarily consist of Bhutanese living in the western part of the country. Their culture is closely related to that of their neighbor to the north, Tibet.
The kingdom became a parliamentary democracy in March 2008 at the initiation of the Fourth King. Despite that, many steps still need to be done towards a real democracy, as up to today Bhutanese people and foreigners are not allowed to marry, and even international marriages are not recognized from the Bhutanese government, resulting impossible for a Bhutanese to marry a foreigner and to live there with the family as any rights are given. Therefore, foreigners willing to visit Bhutan can do that but shall be aware that it is not a real democracy but a regime, where people are not free and where difference of opinions and speech do not exist in reality. The tourist shall know that everything that they know from outside Bhutan is wisely written by the government inside, to convey an idilliac image of the Country, which is not real. Bhutan still lacks in human rights and the power in charge is still managing the country in a medieval way. Reports have been made of westeners badly treated by high officials only because being "foreigners".
Norbu Linka Adventure allows its agents to partner with the clients to better understand their needs and create solutions for their business challenges. With our wide range of services, your business travel will be unstressed, cost-effective, expedient, and modified to suit our client’s needs. We also provide vacation planning, arrangements for meetings, seminars or conferences, group travel, and incentive programs to assist our corporate customers. We will take you safely and comfortably even into the most remote corners of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. Our aim is to offer you the best travel and trekking services available, as well as to advise you on the most appropriate itinerary. We are committed to offering you the very best value, and will gladly custom design trips with your specific budget and priorities in mind. Read More
