Bhutan Backroads and Homestay

Depart early from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The flight leaves at 5:40 a.m. or 6:50 a.m. Bangkok time, depending on the day of departure. You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel upon arrival in Bhutan, before 10 a.m. Rejuvenate with refreshments at the hotel.

Drive to nearby Ta-Dzong, where you’ll be introduced to Bhutan with a visit to the National Museum which houses art, handicrafts, costumes and ancient weapons displays. Stroll the streets of Paro in the evening.

Overnight at hotel. (All meals)

A pleasant 2.5 hour drive takes you to the Haa Valley (8,580 ft) over the Chele La Pass (12,540 ft), which is marked by colorful prayer flags.The drive then descends into the Haa Valley, which has been open to tourism only since 2004. We will head off the main road onto a brand new spur road constructed in 2008 that leads to the village of Dorikha – the home of your guide. You will be set up in a home stay. Enjoy dinner and get settled in. Share stories and learn about farming and Bhutanese architecture; get involved in domestic chores such as making cheese and butter by hand, if interested.

Your activities here may include making butter and cheese, helping in the kitchen and tending the farm. There is no attached bathroom and the guests should be prepared for squat toilets and bucket baths. Homes provide mattresses and blankets. You may also visit the village monastery and interact with the young monks or take a day hike to the ridge for views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Food is simple and prepared in traditional style. By Fall 2011, a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath facility will be available for visitors to the farm.

Overnight at local home. (All meals)

After breakfast and goodbyes we drive to Thimphu (four hours)

In Thimphu, sightseeing options include:

Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, the 13 forms of traditional arts and crafts commonly referred to as “the painting school” to see how a new generation of Bhutanese artists is being trained.

The Takin Preserve, a former zoo but closed down because the king did not think a zoo was in line with the country’s Buddhist philosophy. The animals were set free but the Takins were too tame and wandered the streets, and so they were put back in the reserve where you can visit them at close range. With its strange look, the Takin (the national animal of Bhutan) does live up to its legendary creation. You have to see it to believe it.

Local textile houses, which churn out many of the intricate designs that the stores carry. One can also witness different weaving techniques.

Weekend farmer’s market, where farmers from nearby valleys come together to sell their produce

Kunselphodrang in the evening; feel the grandeur of the world’s largest sitting Buddha. Enjoy a great bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley.

Overnight at Hotel. (All meals)

After breakfast, we leave for Punakha Valley. Leaving town, the road gradually climbs through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula Pass (3,050 m/10,000ft). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After a brief stop to catch the breathtaking view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 m/4,430 ft), which was the capital for over 300 years (until 1955). The fortress located here is called Punakha Dzong and is situated at the confluence of two rivers that represent the feminine and masculine. Punakha Dzong and is one of the most impressive buildings in Bhutan. It was built in 1637 and has 6 stories and astonishingly intricate decorative paintings and wood work. The fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (the Spiritual head of Bhutan).

Overnight at hotel. (All meals)

Proceed to the beautiful Phobjikha valley driving through the town of Wangdi phodrang. The broad valley of Phobjikha is also home to the Black-Necked cranes, an endangered species of bird that migrate from the plateau of Tibet. The birds migrate sometime in late October and they return to Tibet in March.

Overnight at hotel. (All meals)

In the morning take a pleasant 30-minute hike through rice paddies and villages and visit Chimi Lhakhang (temple) on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 15th century known as Lama Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as the “Divine madman.” He preached in the way that is unlike the stiffness of clergy and society of the time; it is also believed that this temple blesses couples having fertility problems. A popular pilgrimage spot for the Bhutanese, it is frequently visited by childless couples and parents who have difficulty raising children.

Drive to Paro via Thimphu. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the streets of Paro. Overnight at hotel. (All meals)

After early breakfast, drive to the trailhead to visit the Tiger’s Nest monastery. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with lichens, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It is believed that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress to subdue a demon. Guru Rimpoche is believed to have meditated here for three months and it is considered one of the holiest sites for Buddhists.

After lunch, time permitting, visit the ancient ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by Zhabdrung. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. The fortress was featured on the cover of the US National Geographic magazine in 1914. Spend the evening exploring Paro town.

Overnight at hotel. (All meals)

Transfer to airport for flight home (B).