Black Naked Crane Tour
Tour Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Arrive Paro – Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu -Punakha
Day 4: Punakha
Day 5: Punakha – Gangtey
Day 6:Gangtey
Day 7: Gangtey – Paro
Day 8: Paro
Day 9: Paro Departure
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro & Thimphu Tour
After arriving at Paro International Airport, drive to Thimphu which will take around 1 1/2 hours drive.
- Visit Changgangkha Lhakang (temple): It is an old fortress like It was established in the 12th century on the site chosen by lama Phajo Drukgom shigpo, who came from Tibet. The main or the central statue is Chenresign (God of Compassion). The prayer books in the temple are much larger than the normal Tibetan texts.
- Kuenselphodrang: Commonly known as Buddha point where the largest Buddha statue in the country isperched on the hill top overlooking the beautiful valley of Thimphu.
- Walk through Thimphu Down
Day 2: Thimphu Tour
- National Textile Museum: It is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive andpreserve through exhibition and it houses a good collection of old textiles and can also see people weavingwith intricate designs.
- Short drive to sangaygang (a view point) to see the beautiful Thimphu valley and on the way can stop for a short visit to a zoo to see the national animal Takin. Takin is an extremely rare member of goat They are usually found in herds in the very high altitude of 13,125ft and over.
- Visit to Dechenphodrang (Palace of great bliss): Monastery located at north of Thimphu. It is a monastic school for about 500 young monks. Visit the monastery and have interaction with monks. The Palace of bliss serves as a home and learning center for the young
- Tashichhoe Dzong: a fortress which was built in 1641. It houses the office of the king and the head of the monk body (JeKhenpo). Can have the opportunity to see the monks and the true Bhutanese architectureand the religious wall paintings.
- The National Memorial Chorten (Stupa): Constructed in 1947 as a memorial for the third king of Bhutan, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term chorten literally means ‘seat of faith’ andBuddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Can meet the elderly generationcircumambulation especially in the
- Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory: The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The traditional paper is recognized andheld high esteem both in country and outside world.
Day3: Thimphu to Punakha
- After breakfast visit Simtokha dzong few kilometers from Thimphu towards Punakha: It was built in 1629 byZhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Then travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass 3140m. Duringa clear sky you all can enjoy the great view of the Himalayan Mountain range. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens (stupa) built on the hill by Her Majesty the Queen mother, ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk for the security andwellbeing of His Majesty, the king of Bhutan. Can also visit Druk Wangyel Lhakhang (temple).
- Then drive down all the way to Lobesa valley at 1200m. You all will be driving at some point through the rain forestwith breathtaking Lunch at Lobesa.
- Visit Chime Lhakhang (Temple of Divine Madman).it is about 20 minutes‟ walk from the road junction betweenPunakha and Wangdue through the mustard and paddy The temple is popularly known as the temple of fertility. The couples who visit the Lhakhang are blessed by a replication of the iron bow and arrows of Drukpa Kuenley, alsoknown as the “Devine Mad Man”, his scriptures and the phallus, which is the symbolic representation of fertility. ChimeLhakhang is today one of the most valued and visited temples in Bhutan. People from all corners of the countryand from abroad visit the Lhakhang to seek blessing.
Day 4: Punakha Tour
- After breakfast walk over traditional cantilever bridge to visit Punakha Dzong, located on the island of thePho-chu (Male River) and the Mochu (Female River). It is also known as Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong “the palace of great happiness or bliss”. It was constructed under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the Pema
- Then travel through upper Punakha valley passing through suspension bridge and through paddy fields to thebeautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten: Her Majesty built the queen mother for the wellbeing of thekingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings It is about an hour hike from the base up to the temple and about 30minutes to come down. You will have the most beautiful view of Punakha from there.
- Walakha Lhendrup Cholling Nunnery: is the first Buddhist institute that would allow nuns to pursue higherBuddhist studies unto the master‟s The nunnery was completed in 2010, with more than 170 nuns. The college is built with unique features of structures skillfully carved with black marble blocks surrounding the stupa, depicting the 84 mahasiddhis, 16 arhats and the great lamas of Drukpa Kagyu lineage.
Day 5: Punakha – Gangtey
After breakfast drive toward Gangtey valley which will take around 2 hours by car.
Visit Gangtey goenpa Monastery and explore the beautiful gadgety valley.
Day 6: Witness the Black Naked Crane Festival
After breakfast witness the black naked crane festival.
Day 7: Gangtey – Paro
Paro is a remarkable and considered one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan. It is home to Bhutan‟s onlyInternational airport, with many sacred sites and historical buildings to explore. It is a best place for nature lover andthose seeking a peaceful time. Along with other places Paro forms the „golden Triangle‟ of popular tourist destinations in Bhutan.
- Kyichu Lhakhang: is one of the oldest and an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated at Paro. SongtsanGampo, a Tibetan Emperor, originally built it in 7th It is said to be one of the 108 monasteries that were miraculously built by him. The story goes that a demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas andwas preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsan Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jikhang in Lhasa (Tibet) was built over the very heart of the demon. Padmashambhava visitedKyichu Lhakhang in 8th century and is believed to have concealed many spiritual treasures there. Different sectsadopted the temple and many important Buddhist teachers concealed religious treasure. Also here is a chorten, containing ashes of Dilgo Khentse spent time and unearthed Rinpoche, a highly revered Buddhist master and spiritualteacher of Queen Mother.
- Paro dzong also known as Rinpung Dzong built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. This fortress overlooks the Paro Valley. It is listed as a faltering site in Bhutan‟s tentative list for UNESCO Thenmake a leisure walk through the downtown of paro which is one of the most beautiful town with all traditional buildings.
- National museum:is an ancient watchtower called Ta- Dzong located on the hill above the Paro RinpungDzong, overlooking the spectacular view of Paro It was established in 1968 under the command ofHis Majesty of Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and has been the National Museum of Bhutan since then. It possesses a variety of artifacts from all over the country representing different eras, as early as 4000B.C to the present day. The museum performs an essential role as a preserver and promoter of Bhutaneseculture values.
Day 8: Paro (Tigers Nest Hike)
Early morning hike toward Taktsang: It is located on the face of a sheer 1000m cliff. The monastery was first built in 1692. The place is highly sacred to the Bhutanese in that they believe Guru Rinpoche, the father of Bhutanese Buddhism landed here on Back of a tigress. Taktshang Goemba is a must to visit for all the visitors as it is one of the most religious monasteries in the country. The monastery is and will not be connected with motor roads as to preserve its sacredness. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the farm house.
Day 9: Paro Departure
In the morning after breakfast your tour guide from All in One Bhutan Tours and Treks will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.
