11 Days “Bhutan Spring Rhododenrdon Botanisation and Walking Tour”
Bhutan, ‘The Land of Gross National Happiness’, is the last independent Himalayan kingdom, a stronghold of Tibetan Buddhism, with a unique culture which has been protected over centuries both by the remote mountainous terrain and by a self-imposed policy of isolation from outside influences. A magnificent panorama of Himalayan peaks tower above traditional wooden and stone-built villages, each dominated by strategically-sited dzongs, the great medieval monastery/fortresses which safeguard Bhutan’s heritage.
Renowned for its outstanding botanical diversity (thanks to its location at the junction of two major biogeographical zones, the temperate Palearctic and the tropical Indo-Malay), over 70% of Bhutan is still cloaked in forest. More than 5400 species of plants have been identified, including 600 orchids and 46 varieties of rhododendrons. Many of these plants are used in traditional Tibetan and Bhutanese medicines and the tour is guided by a leading Bhutanese botanist who specializes in this field.
The opportunity to travel in Bhutan is undoubtedly a special privilege, restricted to a very small number of visitors annually. We stay in a comfortable, very atmospheric, traditional hotels, enjoy local cuisine (with an emphasis on vegetables, rice and noodles with mildly spicy sauces), and experience these extraordinary botanical and cultural riches on a series of walks in the forests, beside mountain streams, and in the alpine zone where the blue pine and hemlock forests gives way to dwarf rhododendrons and alpine juniper.
DESTINATION :
PARO, PUNAKHA, WANGDIPHODRANG, PHOBJIKHA, THIMPHU
TRAVELING
Style: Easy land touring, any day departure, regular small group or private tour
Theme: Serene forest walks, botanical tour, scenery, fortresses, monasteries, village visits
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
- Traverse beautiful mountain scapes from dense forests to alpine mountain passes.
- Hike to the famous Taktshang (Tiger’s Lair) monastery.
- Visit traditional Bhutanese homes and soak in a traditional hot stone bath.
- Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Sciences.
- Spend time marveling at the ancient wall paintings and witnessing classical Bhutanese music and dance.
- Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.
- Visit the Phobjikha glacial valley to see the famous Black Necked Cranes.
- Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), museums, and monuments.
Map of Tour
INTRODUCTION
This 11 day botanisation tour will give you a wonderful insight into the rare orchids, rhododendrons, and medicinal herbs grown in Bhutan. These herbs and flowers are used in preparing traditional Bhutanese medicines and incense. Your tour will be guided by a leading certified Bhutanese botanist specialized in this field.
PLACES TO BE SEEN
All the pictures of the places we will see with name on the pictures of the places
Itinerary
OVERVIEW
Day 1: Paro
Day 2: Paro
Day 3: Punakha
Day 4: Punakha
Day 5: Wangdiphodrang (Phobjikha)
Day 6: Wangdiphodrang (Phobjikha)
Day 7: Wangdiphodrang
Day 8: Thimphu
Day 9: Paro
Day 10: Paro
Day 11: Tour end and depart
- Arrive at Paro International Airport (2300 mtr. a.s.l)
- Stroll through the meadows beside the Paro river
- Explore and visit the Rinpung Dzong (Fortress)
- Guided walking tour to the Paro Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan)
Overnight in Paro.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Drive to the newly reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong (Fortress)
- Undertake a gentle walk up the Paro Chu river valley seeing rice terraces and fields
- Afternoon, visit the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang
Overnight in Paro.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- After breakfast, depart to Punakha valley (1200 mtr. a.s.l) via Thimphu city
- Enroute to Punakha, halt at Dochula Pass (3150 mtr. a.s.l) to see the biodiversity and flora and fauna
- Hike through paddy fields to the fertility temple (Chimi Lhakhang) at Lobeysa
- On arrival, check in a garden hotel at Punakha valley
Overnight in Punakha.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Morning, explore 55 orchid species in the sub tropical forests in the upoper Mochu area of Punakha valley
- Cross a narrow suspension bridge on foot and walk beside the river for scenic views
- Enroute Punakha Dzong, have a picnic lunch on the way
- Visit the suuroundings and interior of Pungthang Dewachenpoi Phodrang (Fortress)
- Return to Hotel for rest and relaxation
Overnight in Punakha.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- After breakfast, depart towards Phobjikha valley (3000 mtr. a.s.l) via Wangdiphodrang
- Enroute, halt on the way to see the splendid tree species and Dendrobiums at the Pelela Pass (3420 mtr. a.s.l)
- On arrival at Gangtey Monastery, undertake the Gangtey nature trail to see the red, pink, and white rhododendrons (Rhododendron hodgsonii, R. keysii, R. kesangiae, R. ciliatum) along the trail route
- Check in a simple traditional guesthouse, run in authentic Bhutanese style
Overnight in Phobjikha, Wangdiphodrang.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Explore Phobjikha valley to see Primulas in full bloom
- Meet and Interact with local people tending to their crops and nomads attending to yak grazing
- Visit to a local school and Information centre for black necked cranes
- Visit to and tour of the Gangtey Monastery at Phobjikha valley
- Return back to homestay for a pleasant relaxing evening
Overnight in Phobjikha, Wangdiphodrang.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Morning, undertake a walk through extensive Rhododendron strands (R. thompsonii, R. cinnabarinum) and upto a pass marked by prayer flags
- Descend to an old trading route through high montane forest with abundant lichens and tree orchids
- Board the vehicle to drive towards Wangdiphodrang to check in a lodge or a hotel to spend the night
Overnight in Wangdiphodrang.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- After breakfast, retrace drive towards Thimphu valley via high passes
- On arrival, visit and tour Trashichhoe Dzong (Fortress)
- Explore Thimphu town for handicrafts shopping, craft items
- Visit a private bhutanese home on invitation for dinner and introduction to classical bhutanese music and dance
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- After breakfast, visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine
- Depart towards Paro valley through mixed forests observing plants like Rosa brunonii, Pieris Formosa and Daphne papyracea
- Drive to Chelela Pass (3810 mtr. a.s.l) to see yak pastures and scenic views of Haa valley
- Take a series of short walks around Chelela vicinity in search of aromatic herbs, meconopsis species and many primulas (P. smithiana, P. denticulata, P. sikkimensis).
- Return to Paro to check in a hotel for rest and relaxation
Overnight in Paro.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Morning, rest and leisure time at hotel
- After early light lunch, hike up the ancient pilgrimage path which meanders through oak and pine forest to Tiger Nest (Taktsang) monastery
- Enroute to hotel, try a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath
- Evening, a wonderful candlelit farewell dinner
Overnight in Paro.
Accomodations
Partnership Hotel
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Drive to Paro International Airport for departure to your onward destination
Prompt and precise service
We feel fortunate to share the beauty of our Himalayan home with you.
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Company
Contact
Tel:+975 77104455
Email:pematenzee@gmail.com