Bhutan - Königreich des Drachen

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1:
Paro. The flight into Paro on Bhutanese’s national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of the country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the silvery Pa-chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and the Tadzong or watch tower, and as you step frorm the plane you will be met with the cool, clean fresh air.

After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel to settle in. Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. The site of the nation’s first airport, Paro, still retains tradition by way of architecture and farming. If you arrive in the morning, then lunch will be served at your hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free at leisure.

The pre departure meeting will be held at 6pm in the hotel conference area, to introduce you to the other group members and to allow you to discuss the activities/program in Bhutan along with the group leader and local guide. Welcome Drinks will be served and after the meeting there will be time for dinner at the hotel.

Day 2:
Paro Valley to Thimphu. This morning after breakfast, we drive towards the north of Paro valley to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. We explore the ramparts, and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). We then drive to visit Kyichu Lhakhang built in the 7th century as an advent of the coming of Buddhism into Bhutan. We also visit Paro Ta dzong, an ancient watch tower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Lunch is served at a restaurant in Paro.

After lunch we depart to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan with a population of 98,500. Thimphu is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. The drive from Paro to Thimphu takes around two hours. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Riverview or similar.

Day 3:
Thimphu. In the morning we drive towards Sangeygang (radio tower) in order to get the beautiful view of Thimphu valley. We then drive to the main street of Thimphu and visit the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition. It houses a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colour and design. We also visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts and souvenirs. Lunch is served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch we visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past, through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, and finally we visit the National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts. Dinner is served at the Bhutan Kitchen.

Day 4:
Thimphu to Punakha to Gangtey. Following breakfast, we take a walk around the corner of the hotel to visit the Bhutanese hand made paper factory where the paper is being developed from the bark of a tree. From the paper factory we depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Lunch is served at a tourist restaurant in Punakha. After lunch we visit Punakha dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. We continue our drive to Gangtey via Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. The drive is approximately two and a half hours, climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo.

Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometres past the Gompa on the valley floor is the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gently sloping hill sides of Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climates. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Dewachen or similar, situated amidst the pine forest overlooking the vast plains of Phobjikha valley.

Day 5:
Gangtey to Trongsa to Bumthang. After breakfast we cross over Pele La pass (3,300m). "The Central Road", across the Black Mountains, was completed 30 years ago, and it brought about great changes for the people in central Bhutan. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. If the weather is clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7,314 m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. Lunch will be served at Chendebji tourist restaurant. After lunch we continue our drive to Trongsa and visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We also visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, above the main Dzong, which has an interesting display of Mongol armour. We then drive to Bumthang valley, described as "one of the most beautiful spots in the Himalayas", across the Yotongla pass (3,400 m). We overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or similar.

Day 6:
Bumthang to Ura to Bumthang. Following breakfast, we take an excursion to the Ura Valley. At a distance of 42 kilometres from Bumthang, the road reaches the Ura Shelthangla, where there is a magnificent view in clear weather of Bhutan's highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (7,500m). The road then descends into the Ura Valley by long loops across fields and pastures. Ura's main occupation is raising sheep and yaks, and the introduction of potato farming has brought a certain degree of prosperity to the people. We visit Ura Lhakhang and then return to Bumthang. In the afternoon we visit Tamshing Monastery, (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his bodily imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century ) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration).

Day 7:
Bumthang to Wangdue. Today after breakfast we drive back to Wangdue via Trongsa and over the Pelela pass (3,300m). Dinner and overnight at Kyichu Resort or similar.

Day 8:
Wangdue to Thimphu to Paro, Hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery). After an early breakfast, we drive over the Dochola pass to Paro. Lunch is served at a restaurant in Paro. After lunch we take a short drive to the ground floor of Taktsang Monastery from where we will hike up to the famous Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hours. At the view-point you can enjoy the stunning views of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. We will also enter the sacred monastery - please note that NO photography is permitted inside the monastery, and then walk back to the road point. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping districts. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Olathang or similar.

Day 9:
Paro. The tour ends after breakfast. Your local Bhutanese guide will escort you to Paro airport for your onward flight. Please ensure that you have provided us with your flight details.