The Last Shangri-La

The Last Shangri-La

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Kathmandu-Paro–Thimphu-Taktshang-Haa valley-Trongsa-Bumthang-Ura-Trongsa-Wangdue- Punakha

The Last Shangri – la tour program introduces the visitors with Bhutan’s major historical, cultural and natural attractions. We board on a fifty minutes flight from Kathmandu to arrive at the Paro international Airport and if you are seated on the left hand side of the plane, you are greeted with one of the most awesome Himalayan Panorama. Upon arrival at Paro we then proceed to hotel for an overnight while starting our venture the following morning. In addition to a full cultural tour of Thimphu, Punakha, Wangd and Haa valley, you will travel to Tongsa and, the cultural heartland of Bhutan, the Bumthang valley. You will be driving through some of the most spectacular scenery in Bhutan.

This trip can be planned to coincide with the Punakha Festival in February, the Paro Festival in April, the Thimphu Festival in September or the Bumthang Festival in November. The following highlights the day to day activities of this tour program

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  • Day 01: Kathmandu arrival, transfer to hotel

  • Day 02-03: Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu Patan and Bhaktapur followed by welcome dinner in the evening with typical Nepalese culture program on the seconday of your arrival to Nepal.

  • Day 04: Kathmandu – Paro
    During the flight and weather permitting, you can see a wonderful view of Mt. Everest, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by your Bhutanese representative from Makalu Adventure and driven to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. Lunch at the hotel. Discuss about the tour programme with your tour guide. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.

  • Day 05: Full day Paro sightseeing- Situated at an elevation of 2,280m, Paro basically is the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan. Places to visit here include the Paro Dzong, the national museum housed in a round fortrees called the Ta Dzong, and the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, a 17th century fortress that used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay. The Dzong was destroyed in fire in 1951. From here and on a clear weather; Mt. Chomolhari (Mt. of Goddess, 7320m) can be seen towering over the dzong. Later visit the Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple) which was built in 659AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet, which is one of his 108, such monasteries. Back to hotel for overnight.

  • Day 06: Drive about 10 km from Paro town (Satsam Chorten) from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery ("tiger's Nest). The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padam Sambhaya- known as the second Buddha in Bhutan , meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. Back to Paro hotel for overnight.

  • Day 07: Excursion to Haa Valley and drive Back Via Chellela Pass – Today we will visit the beautiful forlorn Haa valley (reached from Paro over the Cheli La, at 3,810m (12,500ft), the highest road pass in the country). Haa was recently opened for tourism, and is located to the extreme western part of the kingdom. Although a very secluded place, the valley is at the same time most lively in Bhutan offering mesmerizing views of snow capped mountain range and rhododendron flower in bloom. Picnic lunch at Chellela pass. On the way back walk to Chellela Nunnery. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

  • Day 08: Paro- Thimphu: Drive to Thimphu: Situated at an elevation of 2,320m. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan with a population of approximately 100,000 people and spreads in a fertile valley traversed by the Wangshu River. Today in Thimphu we visit the textile museum, the folk heritage museum, the Trashichho Dzong, the National Memorial chorten and the vegetable market-a colorful market full of local produce and handicrafts. We then proceed to take in the bird's eye view of Thimphu from the Telecom Tower.

  • Day 09: Thimphu – Trongsa: Drive about 6 hours to Trongsa (200km) through Dochula Pass (3150m). Laying at an elevation of 2,316m., Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal family and from where the first two kings ruled the kingdom. Long before you reach it, you can see the resplendent Trongsa Dzong in the valley centre. Its labyrinth of temples, corridors, officers and living quarters for the monks add up to a masterpiece in Bhutanese architecture). We then descend down to subtropical area of Wangdue Phodrang and again ascend up to the Pelela Pass which is 3340m from where you can see wonderful view of Himalayas. The pass separates the western part from other regions of the country. Lunch in Chendebji. Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa.

  • Day 10: Trongsa – Bumthang (3 hours): Consisting of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chmey, Tang and Choekhar, Bumthang is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom with numerous monasteries and spiritual sites. As a picturesque valley of beautiful houses and fields of buckwheat barleyand appeals, Bumthang really is a rather charming valley where history and methodology mingle to bring alive much of Bhutan’s culture and tradition. Visitors to this valley notice a strong sense of spiritually pervading the atmosphere as the valley resounds with the chants of Buddhist monks offering prayer for the well being of all sentient beings. Bumthang’s Tsechus are well-known and even its small festivals are a privilege to attend to catch an insight of the culture and spirit of Bhutan. Over night: Guest house in Bumthang.

  • Day 11: Day Excursion to Ura: Visit Ura Valley - a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm house which is really worth seeing. Picnic Lunch in Ura Valley. Overnight: Guest house in Bumthang.

  • Day 12: Bumthang - Wangdue Via Gangtey: Today after breakfast we drive back to Wangdue via Gangtey and over the Pelela pass (3,300m). The drive is approximately six and a half hours, climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometres past the Gompa on the valley floor is the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gently sloping hill sides of Phobjikha are described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climates. After the visit to Gangtey Monastery continue your drive to Wangdue. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

  • Day 13: Wangdue - Punakha – Paro: After an early morning breakfast drive to Puhakha- the ancient capital of Bhutan. Mending along a gently flowing aquamarine River, Punakha is a sub tropical valley where food, grains, vegetable and fruits grow in abundance. Visit Punakha Dzong that lies in between two great rivers with the wonderful views of Punakha Dzong. The names of the rivers are Phochu (Male) and Mochu (Female River). The Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body and also the office of the district Administration, Early lunch at hotel in Punakha. Afternoon drive to Paro. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

  • Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu: After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport accompanied by one of Makalu Adventure representative who will bid you farewell as you embark on your onward journey. Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be received by us and then transfer to hotel, rest of the day free or if you wish you could just stroll around the Kathmandu high street or spend time shopping and buying souvenirs.

  • Day 15: Early morning Mountain flight: Board on an hour long exhilarating Mt. flight. The flight takes you within the camera range of some of the highest peaks in the world. Cruising so close through the majestic mountains and awe-inspiring massifs of rock and ice, this is going to be an out-of-this world experience. Back to hotel, breakfast and proceed for sightseeing of Patan and Bhaktapur, farewell dinner in the evening with typical Nepalese culture show, overnight hotel.

  • Day 16: Final Departure.
Trip Cost Includes
Trip Cost Excludes

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