↑にあったツアー内容の英語版です。（日本語版はコチラ）
“Bhutan is wonderful seen through your eyes but it becomes magical when W&L guides you to create your own story of your travel in Bhutan”. This is a special six night’s journey through Bhutan’s western valleys, using high end hotels for 4 nights & Dhumara Farm resorts for 2 nights, offering every modern comfort and top rated services. Meeting with the local characters to enthuse the rural, cultural, spiritual and natural experiences, which no other travel designers do in Bhutan.Travelling with the best English speaking guides, a moment with Bhutanese authors, members of the parliament, monks or nuns, farm stay and cook with a family are some of the signature experiences that Bhutan Walkers & Leisures does that makes your operator different from others.In the evenings you will return to your boutique accommodations to experience their first class service and luxurious facilities including massage, spa, wellbeing therapies, pool and fine dining. We can organise a range of add-on experiences to really create a tour to remember such as a private dinner and culture show, a traditional private tented lunch, and an audience with a Rinpoche (if available). All of these (above mentioned) options can easily be tailored to suit your level of luxury at an additional fee.Day 1: Paro Airport to Thimphu Day 2: Thimphu Valley tour Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha Day 4: Punakha Valley tour Day 5: Punakha to Paro Day 6: Paro Taktsang Hike Day 7: Depart Paro ?????
Day1: Fly into Paro & Drive to Thimphu:
The arrival time into Paro is subjective to what sector you are taking. Today’s program is based on flights before noon. On a clear day, the flight to Paro is breathtaking, with views of major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and on the final approach Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, the sacred Jhomo-lhari, Jichu-Drake and Tserim-gang. On arrival at Paro airport and after completion of airport formalities, you will be met by your Bhutan Walkers & Lesiures representative (guide). Drive from Paro to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan and an exciting blend of tradition and modernity.
After that we will usher you your hotel, to check in and relax for a while and enjoy your first lunch in Bhutan at the luxury hotel. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichho Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. In the evening, stroll along the Thimphu town’s main street, if you wish you can take a short walk around the Takin Zoo or decide to book a Spa & massage at your hotel. If it is on weekend, you can visit the Sunday Farmer’s market and the Archery Ground (Traditional Match).
Difficulty: Easy Walk
Hotel : Zhiwaling Ascent, Le Meridian, Taj or Dusit Thani
Day 2: Thimphu Valley Tour:
You can relax & enjoy your breakfast at your hotel. Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.
Today’s sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes visits to Buddha Dordenma statue sitting on top of a hill overlooking Thimphu. The Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is one of the tallest in Asia (51.5 m). The site of Buddha Dordenma offers unobstructed views over the capital town. The National Memorial Chorten the building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who had wanted to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”), and a monument to peace. Folk Heritage and Textile Museums: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as the Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. The Handicrafts Emporium; This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. In the evening, you can decide to explore the craft galleries & decide to dine at some good restaurants in town or take evening off to relax at your hotel.
Difficulty: Easy Walk
Hotel : Zhiwaling Ascent, Le Meridian, Taj or Dusit Thani
Day 3: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha:
The drive from Thimphu to Punakha (3 hours) journey through cool temperate vegetation takes us to Dochhula Pass (3050m above sea level). This part of the journey passes through some scattered villages that farms apple, potatoes and other vegetables. The mountain sides are adorned with primula flowers in early spring and rhododendron blooms stay up until end of May. Dochhula Pass is beautiful with stone monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers during the Flush-out Operation in 2003. During clear weather condition we can see almost all the snow-clad peaks of Bhutan. The views are mostly guaranteed from November to early March. We will also stop briefly at the Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as the ‘Divine Madman’ infamous for his colourful and sometimes outrageous adherence to the Buddhist faith. The temple sits atop a picturesque hill surrounded by rice fields. Drukpa Kuenley built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, and it has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples.
After lunch we visit the Punakha Dzong. We drive through changing vegetation from temperate to sub-tropical. Punakha is lowland situated at 1300m above sea level with tropical fruits and rice fields. We will have lunch at resort or a picnic one by the riverside. This Dzong is historically important and structurally beautiful. All the kings of Bhutan must observe their coronation ceremony at this Dzong. So our highlight will be visiting the Coronation Hall.
Difficulty: Easy Walk
Hotel : Dhumra Farm Resort
Day 4: Punakha Valley Tour:
Today we will take a great opportunity to hike to one of the most beautiful temples of Bhutan. Khamsum Yuelling Temple is built on a hillock that commands fantastic views of the upper Punakha Valley. We can climb through the stairs of the temple to end at the topmost lookout opening. The paintings and statues inside the temple depict the highest level of philosophies and meditational practices. One of the finest Buddhist teachings is displayed in form of frescoes and statues. It is a beautiful hike, though the forests with the sound of the river and crossing over using the traditional suspension bridge. The hike continues through fields of rice and vegetables. Once you pass by the fields, you have a gradual climb all the way up to the temple. Stone slap steps are built along the trail with occasional resting places. After the temple visit we will hike down to the second suspension bridge where the car awaits to chauffer you to the lunch by the riverside or at a restaurant.
After lunch you have the option to do the white river rafting along the Po Chhu (Male river) or Mo Chhu (Female river), cruising down the river flowing in between the valley with beautiful sceneries & birds. Evening at Dhumra Farm Resort, you can rest, relax and spend some quality time, before dinner.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Walk
Hotel : Dhumra Farm Resort
Day 5: Drive from Punakha to Paro:
After breakfast proceed to Paro. It is a beautiful valley with rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries and the country’s only Airport. Mt. Jhomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The region is great for growing Bhutanese premium rice which is popularly known as “Red Rice”. The rice cultivation begins around the month of June and harvested by mid October. Farmers here also grow asparagus in spring and the summer months see strawberries, plums, peaches, apples and other temperate fruits.
Option 1: The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the spa treatment available at your luxury hotel or take an evening rest from the long drive and enjoy the hotel facilities such as steam, sauna, swimming pool or a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath followed by a soothing massage before dinner.
Option 2: Visit the National Museum, has good collections of antiques from Buddhist temples, nobility and common folks. Some of the highlights are the gallery of masks, the armoury, paintings, prehistoric items and natural history. A short drive from the museum takes you to the Paro Dzong. In the 17th to the late 19th century, the dzongs served more like a defending fortress. They are built with strong walls, false doors, reservoir for water and food along with secret armoury sections. In general dzongs served as headquarters for the religious and the political administrations. So you will see monks living in these dzongs along with civil servants stationed over the working days. A visit through it will be a great orientation into Bhutan’s architectural and religious traditions. A soft walk from the Dzong till the wooden cantilever bridge is quiet refreshing.
Difficulty: Easy Walk
Hotel : Uma Paro, Le Meridian or Zhiwaling Heritage
Day 6: Hike to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest:
We will hike to Tiger’s Nest which has become not-to-miss list for any travellers to Bhutan. The hike on foot would take two to three hours uphill climbing almost 900 metres from the valley floor. We will break this rapid ascent by stopping at a tea house & cafeteria for lunch. If booked in advance, you can also use the luxury of riding a pony uphill. For safety reasons we do not recommend riding downhill.
Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang as locals call it is one of the most sacred sites for the Buddhists. This is the place where Guru Rimpoche meditated for three months back in the 8th century. Guru Rimpoche, also known as the 2nd Buddha to the Buddhist, first initiated Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th Century. There are several landmarks left by him across the country. Philosophically Taktsang is important because the teaching of taming the inherent forces of Anger, Ignorance and Greed was first accomplished by the Guru Rimpoche during the meditation. The importance of Taktsang has been saved over the centuries with lots of myths attached to the place. The myths of Guru Rimpoche and the flying tigress are still powerful amongst many Buddhists. Lay Buddhists would rather receive the sacredness of the place as a blessing whenever they visit.
It is recommended to book a hot-stone bath or a body massage at the hotel to soothe your stressed body before your dinner.
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Walk
Hotel : Uma Paro, Le Meridian or Zhiwaling Heritage
Day 7: Depart from Bhutan:
Enjoy your breakfast before driving to the airport. Your Bhutan W&L escort will arrange your airport drop and then bid you farewell. Kadrinchey La & Tashi Delek.
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