Jambay
Lhakhang Drupchen
Day 01:
Paro - Thimphu
Arrive at Paro
International Airport where your guide will meet you and take you to Thimphu.
On the way you will stopover Tamchog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship
to Bhutan’s bride builder Thangthong Gyelpo. Night at Thimphu
Day 02:
Thimphu
We will
visit the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of
Traditional Arts. In the afternoon you can take in more of the sights and
culture of the capital, with the option of a trip to
Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from
629 AD). Night at Thimphu
Day 03
Thimphu – Punakha
In the
morning drive to Punakha via the Dochu La Pass, where we will stop
for a hot drink and to enjoy views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. In the
afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of
Fertility), built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Mad Man’ (Lama Drukpa
Kuenley).Night at Punakha
Day
04:Thimphu-Bumthang
Punakha
to Bumthang. Drive to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan. Set amidst
spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzongcommands the eye from miles away.
After lunch continue through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to
Bumthang.
Day 5:
Bumthang (sightseeing)
Sightseeing
in the Bumthang valleys, your guide will lead you to the fascinating scared
sites in Bumthang including Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and
Tamshing Lhakhang. Visit Jakar Dzong and Swiss cheese factory.
Overnight in Bumthang
Day 6
Drive
to Tang valley, the most remote of Bumthang’s valleys. The road climbs
past the trail to Membar Tsho (the burning lake), which is one of Bhutan’s most
important pilgrimage sites. Then on to Drangchel, Pema Lingpa’s
birthplace. You will also see some picturesque villages and temples and
can walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace, which is now a museum and gives an
interesting insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century.
Day 07:
Festival
This
morning you will visit Jambay Lhakhang Festival also known as Bumthang Drup.
King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet is known for establishing 108 monasteries in one
day in different provinces of Tibet and Bhutan in the 7th Century. The present
Jambay Lhakhang is one of those 108 monasteries, located in the heart of
Bumthang’s Chokhor Valley. It was in early times, when the world was in the
hands of the barbarians fighting for power, that the Great Lord Jo-Jampa
descended into this world from heaven and turned the people into a religious
and peace loving lot. At that time the valley of Chokhor was infested
with disease and misery under the domain of evil spirits. The King of the
valley, Sindhu Raja had no other choice for his people, but to invite Guru
Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche) to the valley in the 8th century to
subdue these evil spirits. This was achieved by the Great Guru performing
the very dances that are performed today in the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival.
Tantric Buddhism then flourished in the valley which later spread throughout
the kingdom. In the 14th century Terton Dorji Lingpa introduced the
religious teachings of the Great Guru through this very festival. Tulku
Choeten Geompo, a descendent of Sindhu Raja, at that point ruled that the
people of the valley must teach these dances and maintain this performance
every year on the 15th day of the ninth month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar
for the rest of time.
Day 8
Drive
to Gangtey (at 3500 metres). Enjoy the views of the immense and remote
Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges and monasteries.
Day 9
Today
we return to Paro via Wangdi, originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital
and commanding an important central position. We will stop for lunch or a drink
in Wangdi although sadly the Dzong, built by the Shabdrung in
1638 on an auspicious site where four ravens were seen flying in four different
directions, was badly damaged in a fire in June 2012 so there is not much to
view until renovations works are complete. After lunch continue on your way.
Day 10
Visit
the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese
architecture. You can also visit the National Museum. In the afternoon you can
visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to
commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and destroyed by a butter
lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu
Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred
shrines in Bhutan.
Day 11
Take a
day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to
the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is
said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated
here for three months. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where
you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
Day 12
Early
morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your
flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).