Spring is Rhododendron season in Bhutan, the tiny Buddhist kingdom;the Himalayan mountainsides are ablaze with their blooms. The immense beauty of Bhutan is contained in its diverse landscapes;cascading rivers, long sweeping valleys,lush green meadows and towering mountain peaks.
Detailed Itinerary
(Breakfast - B, Lunch - L, Dinner – D)
Day 1
Depart North America
Day 2
Enroute
Day 3
Arrive Paro – Drive to Thimpu
As our flight approaches Paro, those of us who have window seats can experience a spectacular view of Bhutan's snow capped peaks. On arrival at Paro airport (2250m), located in a steep valley on the bank of a river, we’ll be met by our coach and driver and transferred to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan.
Overnight – Phuntso Pelri (D)
Day 4
Thimpu
After a good night’s sleep, we’ll go for a morning tour of Thimpu, Bhutan’s capital since 1960 (the previous being Punakha). The town is not large and can easily be explored on foot. The Secretariat building, the Tashichhodzong, is the most prominent building in Thimpu and includes the main Secretariat, the National Assembly Hall, Office of the King and the Throne Room. Its remarkable construction is in the traditional Bhutanese style, without the use of nails or metal of any kind. We will also visit the large Stupa dedicated to the late King, H.M. Jimge Dorji Wangchuk, regarded as the founder of modern day Bhutan. We’ll visit the Handicraft Emporium with its famous weaving, woodcarvings and paintings and also the Post Office to see Bhutan’s exquisite world-renowned stamps.
Overnight – Phuntso Pelri (B, L, D)
Day 5
Drive to Wangdi
Our journey today will take us eastwards, crossing the Dochu La Pass (3116m) where, in good weather, 320 km of Himalayan summits are in view. As we climb towards the pass we will drive initially through pine forest, then Tsuga will dominate, followed by Abies and Betula, Picea and Magnolia. Tree and shrub rhododendrons are also quite numerous with Primula spp., Arisaema spp., climbers and an occasional orchid completing the scene. We’ll stop here for a couple of hours and explore the forest, a splendid area for botanizing and birding. Then we continue on to Wangdi, a thriving small town dominated by the Wangdi Dzong.
Overnight - Dragon Nest Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6
Chendebji Chorten / Tongsa
We’ll start our excursion today by following the Dang Chhu River, then climb steadily through semi-tropical vegetation to the Pele la Pass (3390m). The Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan, and has an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. When the weather is clear, we can view the surrounding high snow-capped peaks and especially Mount Chomolhari.
As we descend from the pass through dwarf bamboo, there may be opportunities to see Yaks grazing. We’ll make a turn south towards Gangtey for a short excursion into the Black Mountains and the Phobjika Valley to see Larix and several different species of rhododendron.
We’ll have lunch by the Chendebji Chorten and botanize its interesting riverside shrubs. This Chorten was built in the 18th century by a Lama known as Shida, in order to nail into the ground a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada Valley just over the ridge.
We will continue our journey towards Tongsa along a road that dramatically cuts its path through the mountains. This is a long and very full day, but one with excellent plants and spectacular scenery.
Overnight – Yankhil Resort (B, L, D)
Day 7
Tongsa Dzong / Punakha
Today, we’ll visit the impregnable fortress of Tongsa Dzong. This traditional home of all four kings of Bhutan prior to their ascending the throne was built in 1648. It is a labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices holding court over the local community. Later in the day we’ll leave this valley, re-cross the Pele La Pass and continue on to Punakha. This small town was the ancient capital of Bhutan
Overnight - Zangtopelri Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 8
Punakha Dzong
We’ll participate in some local sightseeing around Punakha, including a hike through pine trees to see a little-visited temple. The hike will also give us some fine views of the valley. We’ll have a picnic lunch by the river, and then visit the outstanding Punakha Dzong. The winter seat of the Je Khenpo-the chief hierarch of Bhutanese Buddhism-the Dzong dates back to the 14th century. The main building was built in the 17th century and, with various restorations, has survived fires, earthquakes and a flash flood from a burst glacial lake. Of the Dzongs we will be visiting, this one is arguably the most impressive.
Overnight - Zangtopelri Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9
Botany and Birding / Punakha Valley
The river valleys and mountains around Punakha are filled with a wide variety of birds and diverse plants. The sub-tropical valley rises to temperate zones, and this permits us to see a great variety of species in a small area. The area is seasonal home to numerous birds ranging from shrikes, warblers, sunbirds and eagles. The region's combination of forests and open fields also permits extensive opportunities for interesting botany.
Overnight - Zangtopelri Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 10
Dochu La Pass / Thimpu
On leaving Punakha, we’ll return to Thimpu by way of the Dochu La Pass. The road from Punakha to Thimpu goes southwest and one of the highlights of the journey is lunch at Dochu La Pass, the highest point between both cities at 3116m. There is a restaurant here that offers wonderful views of the Himalayan range that separates Bhutan from Tibet. And almost as spectacular is the massive array of prayer flags at the summit. These vertical prayer flags are an icon of Bhutan, and soar over 6 m in the air, in four colours, red, white, yellow and blue, representing four Buddha families.
Overnight – Phuntso Pelri (B, L, D)
Day 11
Thimpu / Paro
Our mid-morning departure for Paro will allow time for us to complete some last minute shopping in the numerous craft shops. On the way to Paro, we’ll pass the Simtokha Dzong, the first of the massive fortresses built in Bhutan, and now a school for the instruction of Dzongkha. We will arrive in the later afternoon and check into our hotel, set amid pines above the fertile Paro Valley. There will be time for a walk before dinner.
Overnight – Olathang Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 12
Paro / Ta Dzong
Our morning tour of Paro includes a visit to nearby Ta Dzong, a circular fortress that once protected this valley from Tibetan invasions. It is now the National Museum, which offers a rich introduction to Bhutanese culture and religion. Below the museum is Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. We then pass Ugyen Pelri, a small jewel-like palace belonging to the Royal Family of Bhutan, which was designed after the celestial paradise of Padmasambhava and completed in the late 1800s.Also we will be able to see one of the most beautifully situated Dzongs in Bhutan, the Paro Dzong.
Overnight – Olathang Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 13
Paro / Cheli La Pass / Paro
Our trip today will take us out of the Paro Valley into the mountains to the Cheli La Pass, where we’ll stop for lunch. On clear days the highest peaks of the Himalayas can be seen from the top of the pass. We’ll have time to search for the elusive blue poppy, Bhutan’s national flower, and other alpine wildflowers. As we return to Paro through forests of blue pine, larch, cypress and rhododendron, we’ll stop at different altitudes for walks in the forest before returning to our hotel.
Overnight – Olathang Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 14
Taktshang
With everyone at their peak of fitness, after two weeks in the mountains and valleys of Bhutan, we’ll go on an excursion to the famous Taktshang. Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, this monastery is squeezed on to a tiny ledge 800m above the Paro Valley. A short drive takes us to the beginning of the uphill climb. We’ll make sure we take our time and stop to look for birds while catching our breath.
Please note: There are options.
It is a 3-hour climb to the monastery and the last third is challenging for those with a fear of heights. However, there is a charming café two-thirds of the way up and we make that our first objective. From this café we can see the route to the monastery, and we can then decide whether or not to continue. For those of us who choose to stay, the café offers lovely scenic views and is a peaceful place to savour a last day in the mountains.
Overnight – Olathang Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 15
Flights Home
After breakfast, we will transfer to the Paro Airport for our flights home. (B)
Day 16
Arrive North America
