Sept. 13-15, 2005

Day 1:

Paro-Thimphu
You can fly to Paro either on Druk Air from Calcutta or from Bangkok. Whichever way you come, be it Calcutta, Bangkok or Kathmandu the view of Jhulmori peaks are just wonderful in more ways than one. Across picturesque sites you will land on the tiny airstrip in Paro.After a brief stop at Paro take an adventurous flight to Thimphu, the capital.

Thimphu sightseeing.
In the morning you can take a walk to the Memorial Chorten, a shrine built in the memory of the late king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The Bhutanese people come to this place and walk around the temple which a lot of devotion and constant prayers on their lips. After breakfast you can begin the sightseeing tour of Thimphu which includes; memorial chorten, Zilukha nunnery, textile museum, heritage museum one more stop at the weekend market during the noon . It is wonderful to see so many people in one place, where the high heeled residents of Thimphu jostle with village folks for fresh, cheapest food and vegetables. It is also interesting to see different vegetables and other food not commonly seen in the west.

Thimphu-Wangduephodrang-Trongsa
In the early morning you will have to drive east towards Tongsa.On the way you can make a stop at Dochu LaPass, 10,000ft from where the view the eastern Himalayas is spectacular. Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft the highest mountain in Bhutan can also be seen from here. The road from Dochula Pass descends through a forest and finally emerges into Punakha and the Wagdue valley which stand at an altitude of 1400m. From the town of Wangdiphodrang , the road again gradually winds its way up and crosses the black mountains over the Pele La Pass (11,152'), where we make stop for views of the snow clad peaks, including that of Bhutan 's sacred peak Mt. Chomolhari. In the afternoon, we arrive in the town of Trongsa . Trongsa, has one of the largest and certainly the most impressive Dzong in the country. Trongsa Dzong is a rambling collection of buildings that trail down the ridge, with remarkable street like corridors and wide stone stairs running down. It was from here that the present royal family emerged as the most powerful force at the beginning of this century. The first two hereditary kings ruled the country from here and it is still a tradition that the crown prince first serves as the Trongsa Penlop before ascending to the throne. In the evening, stroll around the small town area and see some weavers.

Trongsa - Thimphu
Once you have had a pleasurable journey to Trongsa which in no way is lesser than any cultural tour where true bhutan unravels itself before you in all its charm and granduer, you can retrace your steps from Wangdiphodrang and reach Thimphu back again. You can rest in Thimphu if you are tired by the journey.

The Festival
This day you can have fun and take pictures of the festival in its full splendor. You can very well see the tradition and the cultural heritage of Bhutan with all its openess and magnanimity.

Thimphu-Paro
After breakfast, you will tour the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, and you can explore the interesting handicraft shops. In the afternoon, you will drive to Paro. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro.