12D Jambay Lhakhang Drup & Prakhar Tsechu in Bhutan!
Few countries in the world were as shrouded in mystery and as inaccessible to visitors as the Kingdom of Bhutan. For centuries it was totally closed to foreigners and much of its history was unknown. Locked into its Himalayan vastness, it's a place of majestic mountains and fertile valleys, inhabited by a people who have preserved their unique lifestyle and customs.
Today, Bhutan is the ultimate destination for the adventure traveller seeking pristine natural environments and cultural diversity.Many visitors feel the best time to see Bhutan is during a festival period because Bhutanese festivals are wonderfully multi-hued affairs.
During this trip we will experience the drama, colour and excitement of the Jambay Lhakhang & Prakar festivals in the high-altitude valleys of Bumthang.
Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in western Bhutan. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, formerly the watchtower for the dzong and now the National Museum of Bhutan. Next, walk or drive down to visit Paro Dzong, one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known dzongs. It is also the finest example of Bhutanese architecture in the country. After this, meander down to the traditional covered wooden bridge and stroll along the west bank of the river. Downstream from the bridge, you can get a spectacular view of the dzong. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast we will drive towards the north of the valley to visit Drugyel Dzong. Although in ruins, this dzong was once of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese commemorated their final victory over the Tibetan invaders. On a clear day there are spectacular views of the sacred peak, Mount Jomolhari (7274m). Visit Kychu Lhakhang, the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by the first king of Tibet. In the afternoon we have a 2-hour 65km drive along the banks of Pa Chu and Wang Chu to the least visited of all the Himalayan capitals, Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.OPTIONAL: In the early morning, we can hike up to Taktsang Lhakhang. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 900m above the valley floor. It’s one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhist practitioners from all over the world. Taktsang is a 2-hour hike up to the view-point and a shorter walk down (optional pony ride up, but walk down on your own).
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu valley. The day's sightseeing starts with a visit to the National Memorial Stupa built in memory of the third king of Bhutan, followed by the Textile Museum, then Dechenphodrang monastery, which is the original site of Thimphu’s dzong. Dechenphodrang is now the state monastic school. We will also visit Zilukha Nunnery, the Broadcasting Tower to get splendid views of the Thimphu valley and finally we will go to Motithang Zoo to see the takin, Bhutan’s endangered national animal.
In the afternoon we visit the weekend market and perhaps also the Changlimithang stadium if there are any archery tournaments in progress. Finally there’s an evening visit to Tashichhoedzong and the main secretariat building. Overnight in hotel.
Early morning departure for a 7-hour drive to Trongsa. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs via a series of zigzags over the Dochu La Pass, 3000m. On a clear day you get panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 7550m.
The second pass crossed en route to Trongsa is Pele La (3300m). Pele La marks the boundary between Western and Central Bhutan and is distinguished by a Chorten and an array of prayer flags. There is a long descent down to Trongsa, which can be clearly seen from many miles away. Trongsa Dzong is the largest fortress in the kingdom and it was from here at the beginning of this century that the present royal family emerged as the most powerful force in Bhutan. Overnight in tourist lodge.
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang over the Yutong La (3400m) and descend into Chumey, the first of the Bumthang valleys. Chumey is the heart of the famous Bumthang Yathra weaving region. This central area of Bhutan is where you find the region’s colourful woollen textiles, with their typical geometric designs. Next is a visit to the Prakar Tsechu. Your guide will provide some background to the details of the dances. Late afternoon drive to Jakar.Late evening witness the Jambay Lhakhang Drup, the festival in honor of Saint Pema Lingpa. Overnight farm-stay.
Morning drive back to Prakar to continue watching the festival of Prakar. A packed lunch will be served in traditional Bhutanese style. Local people usually bring along homemade wine and if someone offers it to you, you should taste it. Many villagers wear their finest clothes which means photo opportunities for everyone with a camera. We have the option for sightseeing the valley in the afternoon. Overnight farm-stay.
After breakfast drive to Jambay Lhakhang, the temple built by the first king of Tibet. The religious festival held here is popularly known as “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” It’s one of the most important religious festivals in Bhutan and Ter Cham, the dances of the treasure discoverer, are performed. The dances were composed mostly by Terton Pema Lingpa, the great treasure discoverer of the 15th century. The treasures were sacred texts. Our guide will explain the dances. A fire dance is held in the evening to bless infertile women so that they may bear children. Overnight farm-stay.
In the morning watch the festival dances and after lunch go sightseeing. Bumthang has a unique charm, which differentiates it from other regions. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhist practitioners from all over the world and also the traditional home of the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa, to whom descendants of the present dynasty trace their ancestry.We have several options for a multitude of sightseeing in the Bumthang valley. Subject to a consensus, we can pay a visit to some of the oldest monasteries, like the Kurje Lhakhang, built by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, Tamshing Monastery and Konchosum Lhakhang. Or we can visit Jakar Dzong and the palace of the first and second kings. If time permits, we can visit the Swiss cheese and apple-processing factory. Overnight farm-stay.
Early morning, drive to Punakha with stops on the way for photographs. At Trongsa, visit the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Today it is the administrative seat of the Trongsa district and the home of a monastic school. The view from the dzong is spectacular and one can see for many miles. In the old days, it was the lookout point for both the eastern and western trade routes, thus making this a strategically important dzong. Stop at Chendibji Chorten to a have picnic lunch. Overnight in hotel.
In the morning, we visit the Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the Mo (female) & Pho (male) Chu rivers. The dzong was built in 1637 AD and houses the district administration offices. It is also the winter residence of the State Monastic Body and the Chief Abbot, the Je Khenpo. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan.
On the way back to Thimphu, we can take a short hike to visit Chime Lhakang Monastery, the "Temple of Fertility". This monastery was built in 1649 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, the site having been formally blessed by the famous divine madman, Drukpa Kuenley. The short 30-minute hike is through wheat fields of gold and green, with meadows of grazing horses and cattle. Childless couples visit the temple to obtain blessings. After lunch, there is a 3-hour drive to Thimphu over the Dochula. Overnight in hotel.
This morning we visit a paper factory where traditional methods are used to make paper from the bark of the Daphne tree. We also visit the National Library, which is stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where ancient healing arts such as acupuncture and the mixing of herbal remedies are still practised. Other highlights include a visit to the school for arts & crafts where traditional art forms are still taught. In the afternoon, drive to Paro and on the way visit Simtokha Dzong; the oldest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight in hotel.
Morning, drive to airport for departure. Breakfast at the airport restaurant. |
