Bhutan Cultural Hiking Experience

Details

Make sure you reach Bagdogra Airport before 12 PM.  We would recommend you to reach by 5th October 2019 to avoid any delays. The trip will start the next day at Phuentsholing – Immigration Office.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing. (Self Sponsored).

Bagdogra to Phuentsholing is 150 km which we usually travel by a local bus on 6th Oct 2019 ( 6 hours journey by bus ). Refer notes for more details.

Details

Phuentsholing, the second largest town in Bhutan is where your adventure with us begins. We personally think of this town as the gateway to travel to heaven because every traveler stops here to enter this beautiful country. The clean air, greenery and mountain tops serve as the first glimpse of your travel destination. (Know that Indians don’t need any Visa to explore Bhutan, it’s just a travel permit that is required.) We begin by completing all immigration formalities and baggage checks and then set off on our journey to Thimphu. En-route we will stop at Chhuzom which is the confluence point of the Thimphu and Paro river. “Chhu” means river and “zom” means to join and the Bhutanese consider it as the confluence of the mother and father river. The sight of clear blue waters combining while 3 different styles of “stupas” or shrines overlooking the river is a pleasurable start to the day.

As we arrive at Thimphu, you will check-in to the hotel, freshen up after all that travel and get ready for an evening walk.

As evening comes, we stroll through Thimphu Main street and the market area. As you walk around the city, you’ll notice that it comprises of a mix of modern and ancient tradition, making it special in its own way. We’ll stay the night at Thimphu with eager anticipation of the adventures that tomorrow holds.

Details

One of the most important and largely celebrated festivals of Bhutan is called the Thimphu Tshechu and we will witness it live in all its greatness. Held in the capital city each year, this 3-day festival attracts thousands of people, many of whom travel from neighboring “Dzongkhags” or districts to witness attend the festivities. Prior to the start of Thimphu Tshechu, many days and nights are spent praying and conducting rituals to invoke the gods.

The festival theme underwent a pleasant change in the 1950s when the then king introduced diverse “Boed chhams” or masked performances by lay monks to the festive performances. These new additions brought with it more colour and diversity to the Tshechu. For example, the masked dances of Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of the Guru) and Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) were similar to stage theatre. Similarly, the dancing and jesting of the Atsaras who are referred to as the dupthobs (acharyas) are believed to entrance evil forces and prevent them from causing harm during the festival. Modern Atsaras also perform short skits to disseminate health and social awareness messages.

After a day full of culture, dance and diversity we head back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow brings with it a new destination!

Details

After a good breakfast, we will move ahead on our journey by driving to Punakha through the Dochula Pass. Look out the window and witness perfect panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges that will take your breath away.

Perched at an elevation of 3,100 meters, the Dochula Pass is a mountain pass that is surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Dochula Pass holds within it 108 memorial chortens or stupas and is also home to a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple). 

Next Stop: Lobesa Village. What’s so special about this village is that it holds within it the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery also known as the Divine Madman’s Monastery. This monastery is famously known as the fertility shrine and women pilgrims come here seeking blessings to beget children. 

We will then head to what is considered to be the most beautiful Dzongs amongst Bhutan’s 21 Dzongs ) – Punakha Dzong.

The Punakha Dzong is strategically located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers and is one of the most majestic structures of Bhutan. In springtime, the lilac-colored jacaranda trees that encompass the dzong make it a place of true scenic beauty.

We will stay overnight at Punakha.

Details

After breakfast, we will go on a short hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions and stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley.

This temple has been dedicated to the well being of the kingdom, its people, and all sentient beings and offers a beautiful view of the Punakha Valley.

Once here, you have the option to raft back on the Mo Chhu River (On the spot reservation).

We would also visit the famous suspension bridge and end the evening by watching the Punakha Dzong lit in beautiful colors.

Overnight stay at Punakha.

Details

Our next stop is the Phobjikha or Gangtey valley. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, we will head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley.

The trail ends with a community school and a 15th-century Buddhist temple called Khewa Lhakhang which features three two-story statues of the past, present, and future Buddhas.

In the valley, we will visit the Gangteng Monastery. During winter, black-necked cranes visit central Bhutan to roost, circling the monastery three times on arrival and repeating the same when returning to Tibet.

We will stay the night at this culturally rich valley.

Details

Apart from it being home to the sole international airport in Bhutan, Paro Airport, Paro is a historic town with about 155 temples and monasteries. Rinpung Dzong a fortress-monastery overlooking the valley houses within it a collection of sacred masks and costumes. The national museum, Ta Dzong, is also set in Paro. Hence, Paro preserves the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Details

The last day of our wonderful Bhutanese backpacking trip starts with an early morning excursion to the most breathtaking spot in Bhutan. The Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest perched majestically on a cliff which is 2,950m above sea level, defies all engineering logic.

Feel the adrenaline rush and take a two-hour hike up to the cliff or a pony ride, which can be arranged at an additional cost. We will also visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan called Kyichu Lhakhang and interact with the locals at a farmhouse. The evening will be spent exploring the outskirts of the town of Paro together.

After a long and satisfying last day, we will spend our last night in Paro.

Details

Wake up, get ready, and grab some breakfast before we depart to Phuentsholinga and make our way back home. 

Experience a soul-satisfying trek up to a rustic monastery perched on the edge of a cliff. Feel alive as you witness the traditional song and dance of Bhutan’s biggest cultural festival.

Let nature’s brilliance astound you as you see two magnificent rivers converge into one. Admire the countless heritage spots that make Bhutan famous for its unique culture.

Whether you love photography, want to embark on an exciting new trek or are drawn towards places that boast of rich cultural diversity, the beauty of Bhutan is bound to mesmerize you with a perfect blend of scenic landscapes, majestic monasteries, and terrific trek locales.

If it isn’t already, a trip to Bhutan must be on your travel bucket list. What better way than through Plan The Unplanned – Sign Up for our early bird special offer!

Overnight stay at Bagdogra ( Self Sponsored )