Bhutan discovery: nature, communities, and trekking

Kolkata
Arrival at Calcutta international airport. Transfer to hotel for refreshing and rest. Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly river, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India, while the Port of Kolkata is India’s oldest operating port as well as its sole major riverine port. As the former capital of British India, Kolkata retains a feast of colonial-era architecture contrasting starkly with urban slums and dynamic new-town suburbs with their air-conditioned shopping malls. Afternoon short city tour which also includes a country boat ride on the Ganges to experience the glorious sun set.
Overnight in Kolkata (B)

Kolkata- Paro-Thimpu
Transfer to airport for flight to Paro, your introduction to our enchanting kingdom begins on a flight over the Himalayas into the lush green valley of Paro; truly one of The world’s most spectacular sights. During your flight, You will view the world’s highest, most majestic peaks and enjoy the view of the approaching valley with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples and farmhouse nestled in splendid mountain isolation. On arrival to Paro you will be received by our representative, the tour guide, and driven to Thimphu, the capital city. The beautiful drive From Paro to Thimphu takes about an hour, following the Paro River till its confluence. After the confluence, you will take the road along the Thimphu river valley till the capital city of Thimphu. check in the hotel. Later part of the day visit the tallest ‘sitting Buddha’ statue, Memorial Chorten, National Animal Takin. Later a visit to CTAS (Choki Traditional Art School) located just north of the capital of Bhutan, in the beautiful mountain valley of Kabesa. Established in 1999, the school trains disadvantaged youth in the traditional skills of drawing, ‘thangka’ painting, weaving, embroidery, sculpture and wood carving. Students live, study, learn skills for their livelihood and work in the school, which is a collection of traditional Bhutanese buildings, white painted, on the side of a sunny hill amid farms and villages. Currently 136 girls and boys attend and they range in ages from 15 to 25. Students typically study for six years at the school. Here you will have the chance to interact with students and learn one of the arts. In the evening. In the late afternoon you will have a chance to discuss about GNH (gross National Happiness) with local experts. Evening free to stroll around Thimphu.
Overnight in Thimpu (B/L/D)

Thimpu
After breakfast you will hike to Cheri Goemba monastery Drive 30 minutes to Dodena and hike about 45 minute through beautiful forest trails to Cheri Monastery built in 1620. Cheri Monastery Hike gives you an insight into the natural discovery of Himalayan vegetation. The hiking trail passes through the off-beaten forest where one often gets to spot a variety of birdlife. The hike to this very scenic monastery is steep but relatively short, with several sacred sites scattered throughout the lush forest. Along the way there is a good chance of encountering wild animals (monkeys, deer…). Cheri monastery is one of the main retreat centres and a popular pilgrimage site in the country. Cheri Gompa was founded by Ngawang Namgyal, the Rinpoche who unified Bhutan as one political and spiritual entity. Its main function is as a retreat centre for the Drukpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism. You can see a beautiful painting of Guru on the solid rock. Picnic lunch will be served near the river bank near wooden bridge. After lunch we will continue our hiking to Tango Monastry. Tango literally means the ‘horse head’. The legend goes back to the 13th century when Lam Phajo Drugom saw the cliffs, hills, and rocks manifesting into the form of the mandala of Yidam Deity Tandin (Hayagriva); the horse-headed deity. The place holds rich recorded history down to the Drukpa lineage Zhabdru. Enjoy walking on the stone-paved path into the deep wilderness of rhododendron and oak vegetation. In the late afternroon return back to Thimpu for dinner and rest for the overnight.
Overnight in Thimpu (B/L/D)

Thimpu –Dodeydra Monastry
After breakfast transfer towards hike to Dodeydra monastery. If you love nature, tranquillity, butterflies and the off beaten track then Dodeydra hike has a lot to offer. This beautiful and easy hike takes you to a hidden land, providing a hiker a sense of awe and wonder and a point of self-reflection along the way. The name Dodeydra has been derived from the split rock from where the Ter (Hidden Treasure) in the form of scripture was discovered. The monastery is beautifully built between the split rock and it has two altars and beautiful paintings on the wall. The monastery also houses a small museum with many historic and religious artifacts and stories attributed to one of the Chief Abbot Jamyang Gyeltshen, considered an acclaimed craftsman who made numerous statues and paintings/murals. There are around 175 monks living here so today you will have a chance to learn how Buddhism is practiced in Bhutan. In the afternoon you will attend a meditation session on Samtha or vipassana. At 6,30 pm you can join the monks for the evening prayer.
Overnight in the Monastery guest house or in a camp site (B/L/D).

Dodeydra – Trongsa
Early morning you can participate in morning prayer from 5:30 AM to 6:15Am. After breakfast hike to Jungzhina. Then by car continuing to Trongsa. It’s a beautiful drive through lush vegetation and small beautiful villages. After around 50 km you will be on druk wangyal 108 chorten at douchula pass. The pass offers a stunning 360° panaromic view of mountain ranges Enjoy the breathtaking view of Chendebji and Rukubji Village. Check in the Hotel. Late afternoon visit the Majestic Trongsa Dzong and if time permit the Museum just above the Dzong.
Overnight in Tronsga (B/L/D).

Trongsa-Monpas-Nabji
Morning after breakfast drive to Monpas village (around 3 hours), a small village where you can immerse yourself in the daily lives and farming chores of the local community while helping them to conserve environment as well as their cultural and historical heritage. Meet the Monpas, originally a hunter/gatherer community who are believed to be first inhabitants of Bhutan. They practice a combination of animistic shamanism and Buddhism. Have lunch in a local house and then transfer to Nabji. In the 8th century Guru Rimpoche came to Bhutan as a mediator between the warring lingks, King sindhu raja of the bumthnag and King nangxchen (big nose) of upper Assam. The peace pact pillar is found in nabji lhakhag 9 temple), the name of the village Nabji is derived from the word Nabbi meaning “to promise “. You will have the chance to join the villagers in their daily farming activity. This tiny village is located amid Jigme Singey Wangchuk National Park and people live mostly out of farming. Visit a farm house and join the preparation of lunch and making of Ara the rice wine.
Overnight in Nabji (B/L/D).

Nabji – Korphu – Nabji
Korphu is a again a small village around 3 hrs hike from nabj. For those who can’t go for trekking there is paved road also to Korphu so they can reach the village by car; while other will reach Khorphu through a farm road. You will get to experience the local community’s first hand. Your travel to such village will give rural communities additional source of income to supplement their live hood from subsistence farming. Afternoon back to Nabji where you can visit Nabji temple in a tsho (offering) ceremony. During the festival of Nabji you will have a chance to enjoy this time with the community watching various dances and celebration by lay monk and villagers. During this occasion you can dress up in Bhutan National costume (Gho for Men and Kira for women).
Overnight in Nabji (B/L/D).

Nabji – Phobjikha
After breakfast, drive towards Phobjikha (around 5 hours) via the scenic Pelela Pass. Upon arrival in the valley, enjoy lunch. After lunch, begin the Phobjikha Nature Hike, starting below Gangtey Gompa near the Mani wall chorten. The trail leads downhill through pine forests, offering panoramic views of the valley where black-necked cranes feed during the winter. Pass through Khewa village, surrounded by potato fields and alpine meadows, and visit the 14th-century Khewa Lhakhang, where you may take time for personal reflection and meditation.
After the hike, visit the Crane Information Centre, which offers insights into the local conservation efforts in collaboration with the RSPN.
Later, visit the Gangtey Monastery, a significant Nyingma institution dating back to the 17th century. At 6:30 pm join the monks for an evening prayer session (from 6:30 to 7:30 pm).

Overnight in Phobjikha (B/L/D).

Phobjikha – Punakha
In the morning, you will have the opportunity to join the monks at the Shedra for an early morning Thrusel ritual (spiritual cleansing) for self-cleansing of all bad spirits surrounding us and for good luck. Buddhist fumigation is a ritual practiced by the Bhutanese every morning and during special pujas (religious ceremonies). Selected herbs are burnt and holy water (thrue-chhu) is poured over one’s head for purification. It is a common belief that every place has its local protective deity or spirit and the fumigation is to please the spirit and keep the spirit happy. After breakfast drive to Punakha (around 2 hours) check in the hotel. After visit the Majestic Punakha Dzong. Built in 1637-38, this sacred monastery is the second oldest as well as second largest dzong in the Land of Thunder Dragons. The dzong was built by Ngawang Namgyal, the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche. With pictorial mountain peaks as its neighbour, Punakha Dzong is among the soon to be listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bhuta. A six-storied building with a central tower, it measures up to 180m (in length), 72m (in width) and has three different ‘docheys’ (or courtyards). Later you will have a short hike of 20 minutes to the Chimmi Lhakhag the temple of fertility, the temple is built by drukpa Kinley. In Bhutan, he is also a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, and stories and legends have been spun.
Overnight in Punakha (B/L/D).

Punakha – Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro. One the way you will stop to have a look at the magnificent view of mountain in dochula pass. Here you can hang the prayer flag. Arrive in Paro check in the hotel and have lunch. After lunch drive to Paro Dzong. The Rinpung Dzong (which means fortress on a heap of jewels) was built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Nawag namgyal. From the dzong walk down to the traditional wooden covered bridge. In the evening a short drive to the oldest and most beautiful Kichu temple, built by Songtshen Gympo in 659. Offer butter lamp in the alter.
Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Paro – Sangchhoekor – Bumdra Camp
After breakfast, you will set off on a short scenic drive to Sangchhoekor Buddhist College, located at 2,800 meters on a hilltop overlooking the Paro Valley. Before beginning the trek, you’ll receive a traditional blessing and may have the chance to exchange a few words with the resident monks, many of whom speak basic English. From this peaceful starting point, the trail leads gently uphill through forests of pine and blooming rhododendron. As you ascend, you’ll pass colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and walk across open meadows offering sweeping views over the valley and the distant Himalayan peaks. After approximately three to four hours of hiking, you’ll reach the campsite just below Bumdra Monastery, a sacred site known as the “Cave of a Thousand Prayers.” Here, you can relax, explore the surroundings, or climb a little higher for a spectacular panoramic view of Bhutan’s highlands. Dinner will be served at the camp, followed by a quiet evening under the stars, surrounded by nature’s stillness.
Overnight in tented camp near (B/L/D)

Paro
Wake early to enjoy a breathtaking sunrise from your high-altitude campsite. After breakfast, begin your descent through peaceful rhododendron and pine forests, following a quiet trail that leads directly to the upper temples of Taktsang Monastery. This exclusive approach allows you to visit the sacred Zangdopelri Temple, with a unique bird’s-eye view of the main monastery below, dramatically clinging to the cliffside. After a moment of reflection and a butter lamp offering, continue down to explore the main sanctuaries of Bhutan’s most iconic spiritual site. At the base, your driver will take you back to Paro. Later visit a farm house where you will be able to see various Bhutanese traditional way of making rice wine, the Zaw, the Suja making (butter tea), learn traditional game of Archery and Degor (play with stone). Evening Enjoy a traditional hot stone bath. Back to hotel for a well-earned rest.

Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Paro
Say goodbye to Bhutan and board a flight for onward destinations. We hope you’ll carry this gentle kingdom in your heart: May it brings peace to you and others. Have a safe journey.