SPRING IN THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
Savor beautiful spring in Bhutan as we introduce you to our favorite places and people in the Kingdom. We begin our journey in Paro, nestled in the beautiful Paro Valley with ancient temples and monasteries and its pleasant small town vibe. Next visit Thimphu, Bhutan's small capital, full of sights both modern and ancient, and here you will meet many of our Bhutanese friends who will join our excursions as we explore Thimphu. Our next stop is Punakha with its beautiful monasteries and forested hills that make for great hiking and offer many spectacular sights. Onward to the high altitude Phobjikha Valley, unique as it is a broad glacial scoured landscape, with expansive views, great walks and quaint villages. Next we travel to Trongsa with its mountainside location, immense fortified monastery and lovely village like setting that will dazzle you with its exceptional Bhutanese splendor. Champaca Journeys finds this time of year in Bhutan the most beautiful. On this 14-night journey we provide an intimate look at the country and plenty of opportunity to connect with its people. You will meet our many local friends as you travel across this lovely country. Prepare for a journey that both stimulates and relaxes as we explore this remarkable land. This journey will be co-lead by Champaca Journeys' founder John Leupold and Bhutan's trailblazing fashion and culture blogger, Karma Wangchuk of Bhutan Street Fashion.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: MONDAY, May 1
Arrival in Bhutan
Arrive Paro and check into hotel, and then we go into Paro town to explore this small but important and interesting town. Enjoy your first Bhutanese meal in one of our favorite restaurants. Afternoon drive to the end of Paro Valley to visit the ancient Drukyel Dzong (fortified monastery). Welcome dinner at hotel.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(Lunch,Dinner)
DAY 2: TUESDAY, May 2
Explore Paro, onward to Thimphu
Morning visit to Paro Dzong, a fortified monastery, constructed nearly 4 centuries ago and still in use today, followed by visit to nearby museum. Ninety-minute afternoon drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Our Bhutanese friends will join us for an evening of entertainment.
Overnight at The Willows.
(B,L,D)
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, May 3
Get acquainted with Thimphu, capital of Bhutan
Full day to explore Thimphu. We’ll visit the famed National Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum. Both of these venues provide a good introduction to Bhutan and its history. Afternoon free to explore Thimphu on your own or with guides. Dinner with our Bhutanese friends.
Overnight at The Willows.
(B,L,D)
DAY 4: THURSDAY, May 4
Hike to monastery and meet with monks
Morning 2-hour hike to Cheri Monastery. Built in 1750 and impressively perched above the Thimphu valley, surrounded by pine and rhododendron forest. Few foreigners visit this sacred site, with its impressive Buddha statues and religious school. Return to Thimphu for lunch, then we drive 3 hours to Punakha, the drive takes us over the scenic pass of Dochu-La, at 10,300 feet.
Overnight at Dhumra Resort.
(B,L,D)
DAY 5: FRIDAY, May 5
Explore sub-tropical Punakha
The morning will be spent exploring the lovely Punakha Dzong
(fortified monastery), architecturally and aesthetically one of the most beautiful of Bhutan's dzongs. Lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, and then meet with one of Bhutan's renown weavers, for a presentation of her textile collection. Late afternoon we visit the pedestrian suspension bridge, for a thrilling walk over the river.
Overnight at Dhumra Resort.
(B,L,D)
DAY 6: SATURDAY, May 6
Hike in the Beautiful Punakha Hills
We drive high into the hills above Punakha to visit Nalanda Monastery. Both remote and beautiful, and seldom visited by tourists, both the drive to the mountain top location and the monastery visit are fascinating. After exploring the monastery, we begin our downhill hike, though forest and field and tiny villages. Our vehicle awaits us to take us back into town for lunch and then back to our hotel.
Overnight at Dhumra Resort.
(B,L,D)
DAY 7: SUNDAY, May 7
Punakha to Trongsa
We depart after breakfast for the 4-hour drive across the dramatic Black Mountains, to reach Trongsa late in the day. The drive is spectacular and the destination equally so, Trongsa with its immense dzong and isolated mountain location never fails to impress visitors. Our guide is from Trongsa and will provide introductions to family and friends that will make your visit all the more memorable.
Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
DAY 8: MONDAY, May 8
Explore Trongsa
We will begin our day with a visit to the Trongsa Dzong, the most massive and impressive of all of Bhutan's fortified monasteries. Later in the day we will visit one of Bhutan's most impressive museums, constructed in what was the Watch Tower for the Dzong. Our guide will arrange picnic with family and friends in a beautiful location.
Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
(B,L,D)
DAY 9: TUESDAY, May 9
Trongsa to Phobjikha
This morning we say farewell to Trongsa and drive to the Phobjikha Valley, a broad glacial valley, unique in Bhutan, and renown for its beauty. The valley is great place to hike and observe scenery not seen elsewhere in Bhutan. After checking into hotel we begin our exploration of the valley. The late is afternoon free to wander near the hotel.
Overnight at ABC Eco-Lodge.
(B,L,D)
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, May 10
Phobjikha
This morning we drive to the main village in the valley to visit the Gangtey
Monastery. Under renovation for the past several years, we may see craftsmen at work as we explore this ancient temple. A gentle 3-hour hike takes us from the village of Gangtey through forest and field to the valley floor. Late afternoon free to explore on your own.
Overnight at ABC Eco-Lodge.
(B,L,D)
DAY 11: THURSDAY, May 11
Phobjikha to Thimphu
Return to Thimphu today. Afternoon free to explore on your own or with guides. Night out on the town with our Bhutanese friends.
Overnight at The Willows.
(B,L,D)
DAY 12: FRIDAY, May 12
Thimphu
Today we explore more of Thimphu with visits to local artists and weavers, painting and textiles are 2 of Bhutan's most well known arts and we will introduce you to some of the best of these artisans. You can admire their work, or purchase if you wish. For those feeling more energetic, we have an afternoon hike into the hills above Thimphu.
Overnight at The Willows.
(B,L,D)
DAY 13: SATURDAY, May 13
Thimphu to Paro
Free morning in Thimphu to relax or explore with guides. After lunch we drive to Paro and explore downtown Paro before checking into hotel.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 14: SUNDAY, May 14
Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery
After breakfast we drive 20 minutes to the base of the mountain where Taksang is located. Also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, and probably the most iconic building in all Bhutan, it is perched on a cliff 2,700’ above the valley floor. Bhutanese say that the Guru Rimpoche arrived here in the back of a flying tiger in 746 CE, and meditated in a mountain cave for 3 months. The site has since been sacred and a monastery has been constructed to commemorate his visit. Taksang is a pilgrimage site for all Bhutanese who gain merit by making the ascent. You too can gain merit while by making the 3-hour ascent and visiting the monastery seemingly glued to the barest concavity of the cliff face. After descending we’ll have lunch in Paro. Farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 15: MONDAY, May 15
Departure
Time to relax at hotel before we depart for airport mid morning for onward flight.
(B)
PRICES & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Inclusive of food, non-alcoholic beverages, accommodations, ground transportation, entrance fees, services of licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, services of USA based trip leader, Bhutanese visa and airport taxes.)
$6900. (Based on double occupancy)
$7300. (Based on single occupancy)
NOTE: International airfare, gratuities, alcoholic beverages with meals, laundry, souvenirs, items of a personal nature and travel insurance are NOT included.
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
Bhutan is accessed most easily from Bangkok, Thailand from where there are daily flights. Flights always depart in the early morning and participants should give themselves at least 24-hour layover in Bangkok in the event flight to Bangkok is delayed. Fares are subject to change without notice.
BANGKOK-PARO, BHUTAN-BANGKOK, $900. ROUND TRIP, economy class
BANGKOK-PARO, BHUTAN-BANGKOK, $1287. ROUND TRIP, business class
Flights are with DRUKAIR, ROYAL BHUTAN AIRLINES, operating Airbus 319 jets.