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From September 23 to 30, 2024
Summary Itinerary
Clicking on the days of travel in the summary itinerary will take you to the detailed itinerary for that day and vice versa clicking on the day in the detailed itinerary will return you to the summary itinerary. In the detailed itinerary, in addition to the images and description of the days, we also have the day of the month and the week
Main Program
Detailed Itinerary
Main Program
Arrival
Transfer
Free afternoon in Boudhnath
We will all arrive back in Nepal together after our trip in Tibet. From our arrival at the airport in Kathmandu, each traveller will follow their personalized program. Morgani and João will be transferred back to our hotel in Boudnath to continue to Bhutan tomorrow!
Free afternoon in Boudhnath to rest, eat well, maybe take a trip to Thamel, and repack your suitcase!
Flight 23SET Himalaya Airlines H9775 Brazil 12:15 Kathmandu 11:35
Flight
Fx Market
Today we say goodbye to Nepal for a few days for a flight that will follow the highest mountains on our planet, the Himalayas, towards Paro airport, in Bhutan. Weather permitting, we will see some of the few mountains taller than 8 thousand meters of altitude across the planet, including Everest.
Stepping onto Bhutanese soil is already an experience… we need to get there to find out. We will continue with our vehicle to the capital, Thimphu, for approx. 1:30 am. On the way, we will stop to see the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers, where there are 3 stupas of different styles: Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese. We will be able to walk at the end of the day and visit the city market.
Flight KB401 Kathmandu 09:10 Stop 10:30
Memorial Chorten
Buddha Point
School of Art
Tashichho Dzong
We will enjoy our entire day in Thimphu. After breakfast, we will make some koras with the Bhutanese around the King's Memorial Chörten (stupa in languages of Tibetan origin), designed by the country's third king, the 'father of modern Bhutan', in the name of world peace and prosperity. Continuing our tour, we will visit the large Kunsel Phodrang statue, or Buddha Point, from where we will have a view of the Thimphu valley. We will then visit Zorig Chusum, Bhutan's traditional painting, weaving and woodworking school, where students study art on a 6-year course. In the late afternoon we will visit Trashichhoedzong, the 'fortress of glorious religion', which is the country's governmental and religious headquarters, built in 1641.
Dochula pass
Chimi Lhakhang
Nunnery
Today we will continue our journey from Thimphu to Punakha, through the Dochula Pass, with its 3080m altitude. Dochula Pass, where there are many stupas and prayer flags, offers a beautiful view of the mountains on clear days. After crossing the pass and having lunch, on the way, we will walk approx. 1 hour between rice plantations and villages to Chimi Lhakhang, monastery of a great master of crazy wisdom, known as the Temple of Fertility. Locals say that to get pregnant, just pray at this temple! We will be able to read some of his texts.
Just before arriving in Punakha, visit the nunnery Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, full of beautiful statues of Avalokiteshvara, Guru Rinpoche, Buddha, 21 Taras, among others. The nunnery, in addition to being a high-quality Dharma teaching institution, also offers classes in weaving, thangkha (painting) and statue making.
Arrival at the hotel for dinner and rest.
Khamsum Chorten
Rafting (optional extra)
Punakha Dzong
We have another very special day. In the morning, a walk through the pepper and rice plantations, next to the Mo Chhu River, to the special chörten Khamsum. Built to remove negative forces, promote peace, stability and harmony in this impermanent world. At the top of this hill, we will have a very beautiful view of the entire Punakha valley, with its Female and Male rivers, as their names are in Dzongkha, the language of Bhutan.
As an optional (extra) tour, we can take a very pleasant rafting trip along the calm waters of the river that runs alongside the city's Dzong.
In the afternoon, we will visit Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness. Built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637, it was the seat of government and religion in the past. Return to the hotel for a good dinner.
National museum
Rinpung Dzong
Time to return to Paro, the city where we landed in Bhutan, to first visit the very interesting National Museum, where we can learn a little more about Bhutanese culture, its history, flora and rich fauna. From the museum we then went to Paro Dzong, with beautiful panels and views of the city. We continue to the city where we can enjoy the market, including buying dried fruits, chocolate, flags and incense for our special walk tomorrow!
Walk
Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
Gkyichu Lhakhang
Today is the big day of the beautiful and special walk to the Taktshang Monastery, the most famous in Bhutan encrusted in a rock, where Guru Rinpoche arrived there on the back of a tigress and meditated for a while. We will be able to visit and sit for a few moments in front of the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. That's why it's called the Tiger's Nest, the most sacred temple in Bhutan. At least once a year the Bhutanese visit it. Walk will be up to approx. 4 hours, with a stop for a few minutes' rest at a café halfway. The return is calmer.
On the way back to the city, we will visit the very important Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 monasteries from the XNUMXth century, built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The construction of this temple marks the beginning of Buddhism in Bhutan. It will be a very special way to end our days in Bhutan. A good meal and preparations for the flight tomorrow.
Flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and farewell to the driver and guide who accompanied us all day in Bhutan.
Both flights will depart at practically the same time. Morgani back to Kathmandu and João will go to Dhaka. Have a great trip, João! I hope you enjoyed it a lot! I'm already sending a program in Kathmandu, Morgani!
Morgani Flight KB400 Stop 07:10 Kathmandu 08:10
Flight João KB300 Stop 07:00 Dhaka 08:30