Textile Tour

Day 1: Arrive Paro

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and then taken to your hotel.

Afternoon free for activities or at leisure. In the evening, take a stroll around Paro market. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro

After breakfast visit Ta Dzong, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Since 1967 Ta Dzong is serving as the National Museum of the country and holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong or Paro Dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. The Dzong now houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu held once a year in spring.

Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong or “the Fort of Drukpa Victory”. In former times, the Bhutanese repelled invasions by Tibetan from this fortress. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins still present an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Bhutan’s sacred mountain, Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.

Visit nearby farmhouse, which gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of farming family. Also visit a Carpet Weaving factory. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro  – Thimphu, 55 km, 2 hours

After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town. En route visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country, which now houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies.

Afternoon in Thimphu visit Trashichhodzong, the seat of the government: the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk: and the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide range of the traditional handicrafts for which Bhutan is renowned. Also visit Textile Museum and Changzamtog Textile Weaving Centre.

Take an early evening stroll around the market area before dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu  – Punakha, 75 km, 2.1/2 hours

Morning sightseeing in Thimphu includes visit to : the National Library, which holds vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where ancient healing arts such as acupuncture and herbalism are practiced.

After lunch, drive to Punakha across Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130 ft). The highest point on the road is marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags fluttring on the hill. On a clear day, there is a breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot. En-route take an easy walk though paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley popularly known as Divine Madman. Walk into a traditional village house to see the women weaving.

Check into the hotel on reaching Punakha. In the evening, visit Punakha Dzong, built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha  – Wangduephodrang  – Gangtey (Phobjikha), 70 km, 3 hours

After breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang and visit the Dzong and local market. Then drive to glacial valley of Gangtey and the home of the rare endangered Black-Necked crane. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees is augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valleys are tightly enclosed.

Afternoon visit Gangtey Monastery and enjoy the nature trail walk from the Monastery to cranes roosting place.  In the evening make a visit to small carpets weaving centre. Overnight at Gangtey (Altitude 3000m).

Day 6: Gangtey (Phobjikha)  – Trongsa, 120 km, 4.1/2 hours

In the morning explore Phobjikha valley, hopefully sighting some black necked cranes, if you are there at the right time of year. Later, drive to Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit Chendbji Chorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points.

On arrival, check into the lodge. In the evening stroll around market. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Day 7: Trongsa  – Bumthang (Jakar), 68 km, 3 hours

In the morning you’ll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and then visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa.

After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68 km, journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155 ft), then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. In Chumey valley, visit Yathra Weaving Centre. ‘Yathra’ is a hand-woven fabric made from wool of yak and sheep. It is made in vibrant colours giving it a special and attractive look. Bumthang being a cold place is famous for its Yathra weaving and produces woolen clothes, bags, scarfs etc in unique pattern.

From here it is about an hour to Bumthang, a most pleasant run in the soft, late afternoon light. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang

After breakfast, visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).

Afternoon visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the dzong of the white bird”.

In the evening visit local handloom weaving house and meet a Weavers family. Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 9: Bumthang  – Mongar, 198 km, 7 hours

Today is a full day drive to Mongar. Enjoy views and scenic stops along the way. Picnic lunch at a scenic spot en route to Mongar. After lunch, we will visit Mongar Dzong, built in the 1930s and one of Bhutan’s newest dzongs, but constructed in the same way as all previous dzongs, without either plans or the use of nails.  Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.

Day 10: Mongar  – Lhuentse, 77 km, 3 hours

Morning drive to Lhuentse which is one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges, beautiful conifer and pine forests, and remote villages with rice, millet and corn fields. Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal family.

In the evening stroll around market before dinner. Overnight tented accommodation.

Day 11: Khoma

Enjoy a walk from Khurbazam to Khoma Village (around 2 hours over clear flat paths), where some of the most famous and expensive textiles are woven in silk and cotton. Khoma village is famous for distinctive ‘Kishuthara’ weaving and it is the main income source of the villagers. Kishuthara is a silk on silk weaving technique with intricate hand laced patterns. It is the most expensive textile in Bhutan and highly sought after by collectors. It is a full day excursion where you can see the technique of weaving from local villagers and as well as a good opportunity to interview and try your hand at weaving. The other famous weaving area is Gonpa Karpo (four hours walk from the bridge), a remote village clustered around a sacred monastery. The weavers of this village feel that their weaving is superior because of the special blessing from the deities of this sacred site.

Overnight tented accommodation.

Day 12: Drive to Bumthang

Retrace back your journey to Bumthang. En route take a number of breaks for refreshment and picnic lunch and enjoy the scenic beauty of Thrumshingla National Park. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 13: Bumthang  – Thimphu, 268 km, 8 hours

Continuing toward the west, we drive from Bumthang to Thimphu. Lunch would be served en route at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town. Enroute at Wangduephodrang take a short break for tea / coffee and then proceed to Thimphu.

On arrival at Thimphu, check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 14: Thimphu  – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. Later take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Legends says that Guru Padsambhava came here flying on the back of tigress and meditated at the place where now monastery stands. Taktsang or Tiger Nest was severely damaged by fire which took place in April 1998 and now it has been restored in its original splendor.

In the evening, visit Kyichu temple built by King Tsongchen Gyampo in 7th century. This is one of the oldest temples in the country. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 15: Depart Paro

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Our representative will bid you farewell.