Sampurna Adventure

Bhutan Cultural Odessy Tour

Duration
11 days
Max. Elevation
3120m
Group size
Min 2+
Level
Easy
Transportation
Best Season
Sep to May
Accomodation
Hotel/Lodge/Resort
Meals
10 Breakfast, 7 Lunch, 7 Dinner
Starts at/ Ends at
Kathmandu / Kathmandu
Trip Route

Highlights

Overview

Trip Itinerary

The flight into the Himalayas offers breathtaking views of the major peaks Mt. Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Mt. Ganesh (7,422 m), Mt. Purbi Chhyachu (6,637 m), Mt. Langtang (7,227 m), etc. (weather permitting), taking you directly into the Himalayan capital of Kathmandu. After immigration formality on arrival, as you exit the airport terminal you will be greeted and welcome by a Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your hotel, 

Visit Kathmandu Durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital in the open-air museum filled with the temples, courtyards and palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. Other impressive sights include a giant statue of Kal Bhairab, the God of Destruction, stunning Shiva-Parvati temples, Taleju, and the Kumari Palace, where the Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her window.

Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is probably the most sacred ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, ancient carvings, the smell of incense and butter lamps, the mystical atmosphere is heightened by devotees who make a ritual circumambulation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. This famous stupa is surrounded by typical houses of priests, Chaityas and monasteries.

In the afternoon free for independent activities. 

Max. altitude

1325

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

None

(Optional: Early morning you could take an optional Mount Everest flight tour – The Highest Mountain on Earth).

Bhaktapur, UNESCO World Heritage site & the medieval capital city, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries, an exemplary of exquisite woodworks in the Palace of 55 windows with its golden gate, the beautiful Dattatreya, Nyatapola with Bhairab Temple and ceramics Square, 

Pashupatinath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", the sacred Hindu Shiva temple, it serves as the seat of the national deity, this "extensive Hindu temple ground" offers an "extensive collection of temples, ashrams, sculptures” etc. for centuries along the banks of the sacred river Bagamati, considered Varanasi for Hindus, where we could witness their final rituals of cremation.

Boudhanath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", its massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical Stupa in the world, where many Tibetan refugees residing since 1960, in its premises have built more than 50 Buddhist monasteries. The Stupa is said to have buried the remains of Kassyapa Buddha.

Max. altitude

1325

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Bhutan, on arrival you will receive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) and then transfer to Thimphu, drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to the capital of Bhutan – Thimphu. 

In the afternoon if time permits, visit the famous King's memorial Chorten built in the memory of Lt. His Majesty the King by Royal Queen Mother, where one could see the devotion of the local layman spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras, while circumambulating the Chorten, visit Tashichodzong, situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home to the National Assembly and the summer residence of the capital's venerated monastic community. The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Max. altitude

2648

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

BLD

Morning drive to Kuensel Phodrang, the biggest Buddha statue and magnificent viewpoint of Thimphu valley visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin preserve center, to see the National Animal the Takin. Bhutan's National Library is located close to the Thangka painting school and contains arguably the best collection of religious and historic literature in the Himalayas. The country has its own brand of Himalayan medicines and this can be seen at the Indigenous Hospital. The Textile and Folk Heritage Museum opened in the year 2001 is a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

Max. altitude

2320

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

BLD

Morning transfer to Punakha over the Dochula pass, (3,100 m) from where one can see the beautiful view of the eastern Himalayan range on the clear sunny day. 

Visit Punakha Dzong, which stands at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, which is the winter home of the head of the Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo (the chief abode), this place is the old capital of the country and the seat of government until 1955, later the capital was moved to Thimphu.

The Dzong was constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip in 1637; the country's most beautiful Dzong. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu School including the Rangjung Kasarpani, in 1907, Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punakha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Later walk around the Punakha valley to see the farmhouse and the

Bhutan architecture.

Max. altitude

3210

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

BLD

Morning visit Chimi Lhakhang, an important Buddhist monastery/ temple in Punakha, Bhutan. It stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a Chorten on the site.

He was known as the "Mad Saint" or “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor, and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre, shocking, and sexual overtones. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners of the eves. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of the phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a wooden phallus (symbols of a male organ) which in Bhutan has been intended to drive away from the evil eye and malicious gossip. 

Later drive to Bumthang, 6 hours depending on road conditions with the scenery is certainly stunning. We will cross two high passes Pele La at 3,300 m. and Yotung La (3,425 m.) and descend eventually into the valley of Bumthang, the heart of the Bhutanese weaving industry. 

Max. altitude

3425

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

BLD

The region encompasses four major valleys: Choskhor, Tang, Ura, and Chhume. The Dzong and the most important temples are in the large Choskhor valley, commonly referred to as Bumthang valley. There are two versions of the origin of the name Bumthang. The valley is supposed to be shaped like a Bumpa, a vessel that contains holy water, and Thang meaning ‘field’ or ‘flat place.’ The religious connotation of the name aptly applies to the sacred character of the region. The less respectful translation relates to the particularly beautiful women who live here – bum means girl. It would be difficult to find so many important temples and monasteries in such a small area anywhere else in Bhutan.

Visit: Jakar Dzong was built-in 1667, overlooking the Choskhor Valley. It is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan, its official name is Yuelay Namgyal Dzong, in honor of the victory over the troops of Tibetan ruler Phuntsho Namgyal.

Kurjey Lhakhang is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings that make up the temple complex. The first temple is the oldest and was built in 1652 by Mingyur Tenpa, the second temple was built by Ugyen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan in 1900. The third building in the complex is an elaborate three-story Lhakhang built by Ashi Kesang Wangchuck, in 1984 under the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche.

Tamshing Gompa was built-in 1501 by Pema Lingpa (also known as Tamshing Lhendup Tsholing, literally 'Temple of the good message’) and is the most important Nyingma-pa Gompa in the kingdom. 

A short distance below Tamshing is a small rural-looking town Konchogsum Lhakhang – the source of many interesting stories. The history of this temple dates back to the 6th century, however, the current structure dates from the 15th century,

Max. altitude

2800

Accomodation

Hotel / Resort

Meals

BLD

A full day’s drive to Thimphu with a picnic pack lunch en route. 

Leaving Jakar, on the way visit the Chendebji Chorten, a large white monument said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the spectacular Pele La (3,424 m) pass we come to Wangdi where we take a short break for tea and snacks. From Wangdi, it’s a further 3-hour drive to Thimphu crossing over the Dochula La pass where we stop for tea/coffee and snacks. Late in the evening, we arrive in Thimphu and check into your hotel.

Max. altitude

3425

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

BLD

Drive an hour to Paro, transfer to Taktsang Monastery base point, later we hike to Taktsang Palphug Monastery (known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent most sacred site located on the Cliffside of the upper Paro valley. Built in 1692, the Taktsang cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours in the 8th century. Padma Sambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country that most people visit in their lifetime. 

Visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. This Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, one can view the sacred Mount Chomolhari, the Mountain of Goddess.

Walk to the traditional wooden bridge and visit Kyichhu Lhakhang / Jowo Temple of Kyichhu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the four (4) border taming temples he built. Ever since then the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, Palchen Heruka, and Vajrakilaya have been held in this temple for the well-being of the country under the patronage of Kesang Choden Wangchuck. 

Later we will cross the traditional wooden bridge and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (monastery/fortress Built-in 1645 A.D), On the hill above the Dzong stands an ancient watchtower called Ta Dzong which since 1967, has been the National Museum of Bhutan, a fascinating place housed in an old museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armor to textiles and Thangka paintings.

Max. altitude

3120

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

BLD

Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Kathmandu, on arrival you will be greeted and welcome by Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your Hotel, Rest of the day for personal activities, you can explore the narrow lively and endless streets of Thamel where you will find all kinds of good restaurants, full of typical Nepali handicraft, fine jewelry and clothing and trekking gear store.

Max. altitude

1325

Accomodation

Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Leisurely breakfast, in the morning free for personal activities, later at the arranged time transfer to the airport for final departure to connect onward flight. We wish you have a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future. 

End of Service.

Accomodation

No Hotel

Meals

Breakfast
Not satisfied with this itinerary? Make your own.
Plan My Trip

Includes

  • Meeting & Assistance on Arr. / Dep. at airport / Hotel by Sampurna travels Representatives.
  • All suitable transfers on A/C car, van, coach & bus
  • Nonalcoholic welcome drinks on arrival at hotel
  • Sgl / Dbl sharing room with Breakfast basis in Nepal
  • Sgl / Dbl sharing room with full board basis In Bhutan, Lunch will serve at the tourist standard restaurant
  • English/Spanish/French/German/Italian/Chinese/Russian Speaking local tour guide in Kathmandu.
  • English Speaking local tour guide in Bhutan
  • Monument entrance fees at all places
  • Bhutan visa & necessary permit
  • All mentioned hotels/resorts or similar
  • All services are on a private tour basis
  • All presently applicable Govt tax & service tax

Doesn't Include

  • International Air fare: Kathmandu / Paro / Kathmandu
  • Nepal entry visa fee, pay in cash at Kathmandu airport
  • Any meal which is not mentioned in the program
  • Photography fees inside the monument
  • Personal Travel insurance
  • Extra cost due to natural and political causes such as landslides, unrest, snow, strikes etc.
  • All personal / nature expenses of table drinks, laundry, telephone, restaurant etc.
  • Tips to Guide, escort, porters, driver etc. (customary)
  • Due to any reason, expenses of any extra transfer, hotel accommodation & other services abandoning the trip before/after scheduled
  • Any other service not mentioned in the column service includes

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