Bhutan

You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your luxury hotel quite close to the airport. This is an oasis of quiet with exemplary service and amenities.

Today take the flight to Paro. A fertile valley, this is the market garden of Bhutan where Buddhism first took hold. Tonight stay in the first five-star Bhutanese-owned hotel, in the hills outside Paro – an architectural gem that unites Bhutanese culture and heritage with 21^st-century comforts.

This morning take the short scenic flight to Bumthang – the cultural and spiritual heart of the country. The beautiful valley with abundant apple orchards, crops and cottage industries boasts numerous villages, monasteries, villages, weaving traditions and gentle treks. Your cosseted stay for two nights is in an intimate lodge.

Stretch your legs with a wonderful walk across prayer flag decorated bridges to reach the spectacular Wangdichholing Palace built in 1857 and Lamey Goemba. It’s not unusual to find one of the lamas in residence who may give you a special blessing. Jambay & Kurjey Lhakhangs are the oldest two monasteries in the kingdom. The Tamshing Monastery is home to about 90 young monks.

The first stop today is at Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutanese royal family and one of the most exquisitely decorated, with wonderful paintings throughout. Continue to the breathtaking glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, a designated conservation area bordering the Black Mountain National Park where large flocks of black-necked cranes come to winter. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the Country, and described as “the most beautiful spot in the most beautiful country in the Himalayas”.  Your lodge is possibly the most glamorous and luxurious “farmhouse” you’ve ever stayed in.

This morning begins with a casual stroll through the quaint village of Gangtey, taking in the simplicity of life in this remote mountain hideaway, before visiting the ancient altars and ramparts of the dominating Goemba. You may even wish to arrange a pre breakfast meditation with the monks.
From the Goemba,  a gentle trek downhill through flower meadows and miniature forests of dwarf bamboo across a trout filled brook. Return in time to enjoy the lodge’s famed hot-stone bath filled with healing Artemisia that grows wild.

Before reaching the Punakha Valley, take a short trek to Chimi Lhakhang, the auspicious fertility monastery built by the “Divine Madman” in 1499 showing the history of the worship house and its ritual phalluses. En route to your lodge you will also catch a glimpse of the glorious 17thC Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most historically important. Straddling the confluence of the Mother (Mo) and Father (Pho) Chhu, it is truly a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and the wedding location of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Nestle into your Six Senses Lodge that stands out for its glorious perch overlooking rice paddies, the sumptuous balconied suites with their own bukhari fire, truly delicious innovative cuisine derived from local organic produce and exceptionally solicitous staff.

Before breakfast there is an option of a rural guided trek to reach a remote monastery
housing young monks where by donation you can join them for breakfast.

Your day in Punakha Valley begins with a hike up through autumn hues fields along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the regal Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999. Returning down through the valley you will have plenty of time to take in the impressive Punakha Dzong, home to the remains of Bhutan’s first ruler, Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, and the winter residence of the monastic order’s leader and his entourage of monks.

En route back to Paro, stop in the once charming sleepy little capital, Thimpu. There is a fabulous Museum of Textiles and the possibility of visiting the studio of young artists. TWINZ Artists, Tashi Dendup & Ugyen Samdrup are beginning to gain a reputation as contemporary painters who mix Bhutanese iconography with European influences. If she is in town, we might also invite long time habitué, an American writer who is marred to a famous thanka painter to join us for lunch. Thimpu is also the best place for those wanting to acquire Bhutanese crafts and the Painting School is an educational institute that teaches and preserves all thirteen of Bhutan’s artistic practices and can be visited.

For the energetic it is planned to take the hike to Takshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest), one of 13 of the most revered Buddhist pilgrim sites in the Himalayan world. “Tiger’s Lair” is considered an intensely spiritual place and the quite challenging 5-hour walk is most interesting. It is also possible to only walk half way up to the viewing point of the monastery where there is a café serving light refreshments. For the more culturally inclined there is much to occupy the curious traveller with holy sites and shopping.
Your lodge here is the first luxury property in Bhutan set in sprawling, beautifully landscaped grounds, with meadows, an archery field and indoor pool.

Your will be transferred to the airport in time for your international departure. Most flights leave in the morning. Druk Air flies via Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok and Singapore.

SUGGESTED TOUR EXTENSIONS:

Kathmandu

Kashmir via Delhi