Himalayan Experience for Women

1. Day 1 Arrive Paro/Drive to Thimphu ▾

   • 65 km Driving distance
   • 6 hr Driving time
   • 2,350 m Altitude of Thimphu

   On your journey to Paro, the panoramic views of the Himalayas are sensational, including the Everest and other famous Himalayan Peaks. The approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro becomes more exciting as you enter Bhutan.

   Many travellers have termed the landing very much adventurous. On arrival you will be received with “Tashi Khadar” by your guide from Ideal Travel Creations and the drive to Hotel. On the way visit the Tamchog Lhakhang, built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th Century, Thangthong Gyalpo is also known as the iron bridge Builder.

   The walk the suspension iron chain bridge, the feel of the soothing breeze and river could be a great experience. Drive further towards Thimphu. In the evening, explore the Thimphu twin and valley. A private Bhutanese traditional cultural programme before dinner.

   Dinner with the Bhutanese hosts. Overnight in hotel.

2. Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing ▾

   Today’s morning shall start with the visit the Kuenselphodrang, which has s huge statue of Buddha .The area also gives a very good view of the Thimphu valley from the west and has walking and biking trails. Then visit the Textile Museum. The museum showcases the living national art of Bhutanese weaving.

   Operated by the National Commission for Cultural Affairs in Bhutan, the Museum was established in 2001. Since its establishment the museum has a substantial collection of antique textile artefacts, exclusive to Bhutan and has generated national and international attention.

   Then drive a short distance to visit the simply Bhutan, inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Tshering Pem Wangchuck, This is the first living museum in the country. It depicts ancient Bhutan and the Bhutanese ways of life in the ancient times.

   It has an altar, a photo studio, a Zhabdrung museum, a traditional Bhutanese kitchen, demonstration stalls of textiles and handmade products and cafe offering butter tea Suja, snacks and a souvenir shop. After lunch, visit the Jewellery and Handicraft Shops in the town, also visit the local weaving centre and interact with the weavers.

   In the evening, a small party shall be organized for you with a few the local women in Thimphu in a private residence. Enjoy the moment with interesting talks, share your experiences as women in different countries and from different cultures, enjoy the wine and the meal.

   Overnight in Bhutan.

3. Day 3 Thimphu – Gangtey ▾

   • 135 km Driving distance
   • 5 hr Driving time
   • 2,900 m Altitude of Gangtey/Phobjikha

   After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. On the way, stop for a while in Dochula. Dochula pass is the most known pass in Bhutan, about 30 km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way to Wangduephodrang/Punakha. It is at around 3150 m height.

   On a clear day, spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges can be seen. The pass also has 108 Druk Wangyel Khangzang Chhortens which is believed to bring multi fold merit to all sentient beings and which make the pass a must visit place.

   Drive further to Gangtey. On the way you shall come across different flora and fauna, monuments, villages and people. Stop at places to sightseeing and photography. While in Gangtey visit the Gangtey Goemba and then explore the Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas and the winter roosting place for the endangered Black necked Cranes.

   Dinner and overnight in hotel.

4. Day 4 Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang ▾

   • 188 km Driving distance
   • 7 hr Driving time
   • 2,600 m Altitude of Bumthang

   The journey is fascinating and probably you should sing as you travel, making it a perfect travel experience. As you travel the beautiful landscapes, villages, flora and fauna and monuments shall be fascinating. You shall drive over Pele-La-Pass (11.120 ft.) traditional boundary between east & west Bhutan.

   After this, there is an adrupt change in vegetation, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop at the Chendbji Chorten – built in the style of the great Bodhanath Choten of Nepal. While in Trongsa, visit the Trongsa Dzong.

   This is one of the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong was built by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Zhabdrung to unify Eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family.

   The first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyal. Drive further to Bumthang via Chumey Valley. While in Chumey, spend some time here at the Yathra and Mathra (wool woven Bhutanese clothes) weaving Centre in Chummey valley, interacting and the local women weavers and probably trying to learn weaving.

   Drive to Bumthang. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

5. Day 5 Bumthang ▾

   After breakfast, Tamshing Lhakhang (Literally meaning the Temple of the good message) and then take a walk through the villages across the Chamkhar Chhu (River) to visit the Kurjey Lhakhang, named after body print of Guru Rimpoche. Then visit the Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet.

   In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. Drive towards Jakar to visit the Jakar Dzong (Literally meaning the Castle of White Bird). After lunch, visit the Chakhar Lhakhang (Literally meaning the Iron Castle).The original palace was made of Iron and hence the name “Chakhar”.

   And then drive towards Tang to visit the Membarstho (Literally meaning, “The burning Lake”). Dinner and overnight in hotel.

6. Day 6 Bumthang – Wangdue/Punakha ▾

   • 200 km Driving distance
   • 7 hr Driving time
   • 1,310 m Altitude of Wangdue

   After breakfast, drive to Wangdue. In the evening free time to relax. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Note: if some of the sightseeing cannot be completed on the 4th day such as visiting Trongsa Dzong, this may be done while returning.

7. Day 8 Wangdue/Punakha – Paro ▾

   • 135 km Driving distance
   • 5 hr Driving time
   • 2,280 m Altitude of Paro

   After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way stop at Lamperi to visit the Royal Botanical Park. The park is located at an altitude range of 2100 meters – 3800 meters. The park has 14.5 km of trails for eco trek for cycling and walking and one of the main attractions is the rhododendron garden including a picnic spot with children’s playground.

   After spending some time in the park drive to Paro. While in Paro (if time permits) visit the Rinpung Dzong (the fortress of the heap of jewels). The Dzong now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for around 200 monks of Paro and was built at the same time of Drukgyal Dzong.

   The famous Paro tshechu (festival) is held here in spring. Then visit the Ta Dzong, overlooks the Rimpung Dzong and was built in 1951 as a watch tower. This Dzong is Round, more like parts of a European castle. The Dzong was established as the National Museum of Bhutan since 1967 and holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangka, etc.

   In the evening, explore the Paro Town and valley. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

8. Day 9 Paro ▾

   Starting your tour with a hike to the abode of gods and monks. Reaching the top shall be worth the climb; the touch of the Himalayan breeze and views of the valley below and temple on the rocky cliff shall be fascinating. Hike to Taktshang Monastery.

   The primary lhakhang was built surrounding Guru Rinpoche’s Meditation cave in the 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer Rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress.

   It is a two to three hours excursion uphill; however, one feels truly blessed reaching the monastery. After lunch, drive a short distance to a village house for a traditional hot stone bath. The hot stone bath helps relaxing and is said to have medicinal values.

   After the hot stone take part in a Bhutanese traditional dish cooking lesson. A pure Bhutanese dinner in the village house with the family. Overnight in hotel.

9. Day 10 Departure ▾

   After breakfast, drive to Airport and farewell with new experiences and memories to cherish back at home.

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Getting there & when to go

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