Bhutan 2013
Bhutan Cross Country Tour
photo by Brud Jones
Expect the Unexpected
The cross-country itinerary traveling from east to west across Bhutan is final. If you’d like to join us on what promises to be our best tour yet, then call us now. We’re limiting this trip to a small group. Besides visiting an array of sites from dzongs to monasteries and nunneries, the best part of the trip is usually what happens that isn’t pre-planned.
It may be following a group of young monks to the rooftop to photograph them throwing rice balls into the valley below, or stopping at a schoolyard to play soccer with the children, or finding a child we photographed on a previous trip to see how they’ve grown and to find out what they’re up to now. Whether it’s stopping to photograph a herd of yaks on the road, or monkeys in the trees, or hanging prayer flags at Dochula, Bhutan never disappoints us for its charm, mysteries and beauty. It truly is a trip of a lifetime. Ready to come along on the next trip? Contact us – 816.686.8655
Highlights Along the Way
The People of Bhutan
One of the primary reasons we love Bhutan is the people. They are gracious, welcoming, good-natured and handsome. One quick look shows you how much we love to photograph them and with each visit we begin to understand a little bit more of their culture and attitudes.
Tiger’s Nest by Brud Jones
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley, and from your closest vantage point on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will still need 200-300 mm lenses and a steady tripod to get tight photographs. This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery.
Dzongdakha Monastery
The monastery of Dzongdakha derives its name from the word ‘Dzongdaphu’ meaning a ‘cliff which looks like dzong.’ The monastery is located to the west of Paro Town and about 400 m from the valley of Bondey. It has a very rich history dating from the 8th century to 13th Century. There are three main temples and each one has its own history the oldest temple is a Guru Drupkhang the cliff where Guru Padmasambhava meditated around 8th century and hid a treasure inside the rocks.
Drugyel Dzong
Monks rehearsing by Shari Hartbauer
The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. On a clear day this spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Jumolhari, “Mountain of Goddess” (Alt. 7329 m).
National Museum (Ta-Dzong)
Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong ( Fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968 (one of the best museums of Asia). The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. Among the treasures on display are the raven crown worn by all the kings of Bhutan during their coronation ceremonies.
Dochu La Pass (3150m)
Enjoy the spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges. Take a walk around the 108 stupas which decorates the pass. Also visit the Druk Wangyel lhakhang built by the four Queens as a tribute to the fourth King of Bhutan.
Gaselo Village
The village is situated on a hillside with terraced rice fields surrounded by broad leaf decidous forest and overlooking a part of the Wangdue valley. The village is in a sub tropical zone with altitude ranging from 4500 – 5000 feet with warm climate. Agriculture and animal husbandry is the mainstay of the 80 households that comprise the entire population of Gaselo. Visit the temples and the school. Meet people and spend the afternoon in the village.
Palace of Great Happiness
Mother & Child, Bhutan, by Brud Jones
It hosts the administrative seat of the district. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river. It was built in 1637 AD It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan’s first king was crowned. This ancient fortress is considered to be one of the most beautiful by many. Punakha is the former winter Capital of Bhutan and now It’s the winter residence of the central monastic body and its Chief Abbot.
Sonagatshel Temple
Here Ngagi Rinchen, a Bengal Tantric master supposedly released his mother’s soul from hell in the form of a toad inside the rock. The rock and the crack in the middle with inscription can be seen. Lunch at Passang’s restaurant in Lobesa. Passang’s is an old friend from Bhutan and his family’s restaurants is one of our favorite stops on every trip to Bhutan.
Temple of Fertility – (The Temple of the Divine Madman)
After lunch, hike a short distance along a trail that takes you through paddy fields and a typical Bhutanese village called to Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is called the Temple of Fertility as it is believed that childless couples who come here to pray for a child is usually blessed with a child. This is the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman.”
Pele La (3420m)
Marked by a chorten and an array of prayer flags. If the weather is clear you should see Mt. Jhomolhari (7177 m) and other peaks from the pass, which marks the boundary between western and central Bhutan as well as the western border of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Beyond Pele La is Longte Valley where people raise sheep and yaks. The houses here are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat.
Trongsa Dzong
Monks on Trongsa Dzong roof by Brud Jones
Trongsa Dzong, built in 1645, is a vast, white fortress that appears to grow directly up from the narrow green ridge on which it is constructed. It is one of the most powerful Dzongs and even today the crown prince of Bhutan must first be invested as Trongsa Penlop (governor) before becoming king.
The National Museum
Once the watch tower of the Trongsa Dzong. The watchtower was converted into a Royal Museum on 10th of December 2008. The museum has on display about 224 items used over the years by the Wangchuck dynasty. You will see the Raven Crown worn by the first King in 1907 as well as many other objects of interest.
Hotels
Subject to change, but these are the tentative reservations we’ve made. We work with one of Bhutan’s oldest and most reliable tour companies which allows us to book some of the best hotels in the country. As we travel all the way across the country, the accommodations will become more spare, but always warm, clean and comfortable.
Naksel Boutique Hotel
By far our favorite hotel in Bhutan. Owned by a personal friend, the luxuries here are first rate, but distinctly Bhutanese. We especially love the heated floors in the suites, the hot-stone bath in the spa, and the excellent food and service here.
