Flowers, Meditation & Cultural Tours

Reference: 1620607

Itinerary Details (6 nights 7 Days):

Bhutan was once also known in the ancient as the medicinal land, about 300 species of medicinal plants and 54 species of rhododendrons are found in Bhutan. Almost 60% of the plant species that is found in the eastern Himalayan region can be found in Bhutan as well. 

Some common sights for the visitors are the magnolias, junipers, orchids of varied hues, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, the blue poppy which is the national flower and tropical trees such as pine and oaks.

The itinerary proposed can give you a glimpse of what you can see around, you can either request or amend at your will.

Day 1 Paro – Thimphu: (65 kilometers; 2 hours)

Arrival at Paro airport which is 2250 meter above sea level (by Druk Air) and transfer to Thimphu which is 2400 meters above sea level. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. En route stop at Tachog Iron Bridge and Chuzom (confluence) where Paro River joins Thimphu River. Check into your hotel on arrival. After lunch, visit the famous Changlingmithang Stadium and archery field. If you are lucky, you may catch a game of archery in progress.  Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2 Thimphu (Sightseeing)

Morning after breakfast visit Changangkha Monastery for Meditation for an hour, this Monastery was established in the 12th century (the central statue is Chenresig in an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation). After Lunch you would be taken round Thimphu to glimpse the flowers- the famous are the bright yellow blooms of Piptanthus with their silvery leaves, the Pieris Formosa with its red leaves and sprays of little white flowers, and the extremely rare wild cherry, Prunus Carmesina with its deep pink blossoms, there are verities of other wild flower which you may take an interest while touring for the colorful flowers. You can also visit Botanical Garden which offers varities of Orchid and other variants of wild flower.

Visit Tashichhoed Dzong, one of the best Dzong in the evening, later you can stroll through Thimphu town and absorb the life style of the people.

Overnight Thimphu.

Day 3 Thimphu to Punakha (77 kilometer, takes 3 hours):
After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas and on the way to Dochula Pass two varieties of Primula Denticulata emerges through the frost covered ground. The bold magenta and purple varieties of Primula Gracilipes adorn the steep banks of the road. These flowers are like shy harbingers of the more spectacular blooms. Rhododendrons are at its bloom in this month.

Small shrub with fragrant white flowers, covering the slopes where a myriad of colorful prayer flags stand and little further on, vivid bursts of scarlet amidst the dense forest and the magnificent white blossoms of the Magnolia Campbelli adorning the tall, leafless trees. The magnolias and the rhodies flowers at this month. The scarlet rhodies being succeeded by other varieties: deep and pale pink, lavender, white, yellow, and orange. Some 54 varieties of this magnificent species are found in Bhutan.

From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Lampari Eco-camp. Later drive to Punakha (the old capital of Bhutan) which is 1310 meters above sea level. Overnight at Punakha.

 Day 4 Punakha (Meditation/sightseeing)

Morning drive to northwards to catch the wildflowers around Punakha and short hike to Khamsum Yoeled Namgyal Temple, built in year 2003 or hike up the ancient trial to Lhakhang Karpo (monastery) and spend short meditation in the monastery.

Later visit Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong or commonly known as Punakha Dzong and meditate there for an hour. The Dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38. It is the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa. It’s also known for the coronation of the kings of Bhutan.  

Around the Dzong you can enjoy the purple blossom of flowers from Jacaranda trees.

Overnight at Punakha.

Day 5 Punakha – Thimphu - Paro (140 kilometer; 4 hours)

On the way to Paro, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimmi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Receive a special fertility blessing from Lama’s wooden phallus if you wish. Overnight at Paro.

Day 6 Paro Paro Taktsang Special

After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang or the “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery perched precariously on the cliff 900m above Paro valley. It is the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century spiritual master is said to have flown on the back of tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery, and if you wish, you can sit for a short meditation before you hike down to the valley floor. Optional would be visiting local farm house and spend around the paddy field to experience the Bhutanese style of Living. Overnight at Paro. 

Day 7 Paro

Bid farewell

1. Weather Information for Month of May (expected):

Places	Altitude (meters)	Humidity	Temperature
Paro	2250	45%	27°C-12°C
Thimphu	2400	44%	25°C-10°C
Punakha	1310	52%	32°C-17°C

2. Pricing:

From US$ 150 per night per person. Depends on numbers of traveler.

3. Price Includes:

ü  Experience Guide;

ü  All accommodations in twin sharing basis;

ü  All meals;

ü  Transportation in comfortable car;

ü  All activities as noted in the itinerary;

ü  Bottled water while on drive and hiking;

ü  VISA Fee;

ü  Tourism Development Fund charges;

ü  65 $ Royalty Fees per day per person.

Excludes:

ü  Airfare

ü  Medical and Insurance

ü  Personal Expenses

4. Accommodation:

All accommodation will be in standard tourist hotel and twin sharing basis. Travelers can either upgrade to the deluxe or 5* with additional cost. Single supplement will be charged US$ 40 per night in standard hotel.