Thursday, April 14, 2011

Man with a Plan for Bhutan

Here's the plan. Because you have to go with a guide (and, I think, because your guide has to get permits depending on where you want to go), you generally have to plan your itinerary beforehand. And it's just as well; I only have 5 days in the country, so this'll be some travel-hard-and-see-stuff travel. I'll save the relax-and-soak-it-in travel for places where I'm spending $20/day, not $200.

So my guide and I have been planning this trip, and I think we've got something worked out. I'll copy/paste to preserve the sheer font variety. I've added pictures so all these names might mean something to you:


Day 1:   14/11/11.
Arrive in Paro, and after lunch if time permits. Visit the Drugyal Dzong, on the way view peak of Mt. Chomolhari (7314m above sea level) covered with snow throughout the year.Later visit the National museum and Rinpung Dzong. Overnight in hotel olathang paro.
Mt. Chomolhari

Day 2: 15/11/11
   Hike to Paro Taksang Monastery preached on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor around 2 hours walk up hill. And drive to thimphu, Overnight in hotel Raven inn.

Taktsaaaaaaaang! This may be the single building that I most want to see in the world.
Day 3:16/11/11
Drive to Punakha , The first stop is at Dochula Pass at  3150m,where you will see the Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chorten”, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyal Khangzang Chorten. Visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 AD which lies between two rivers namely Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu.Visit Chhimi Lhakhang, the Devine mad man temple. And overnight at zantoperil hotel in punakha.
Yes, Chhimi Lhakhang is the temple with penises on it, but instead I'm posting a photo of Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chorten. I do not yet know what a Chorten is, but here are 108 of them.

Day 4:17/11/11
Situated south of the road and east of Wangdue Phodrang, is Gangtey Gompa, an old monastery dating back to the 17th century. The gompa, on the valley floor, is the village of Phobjika. This is the winter home of the famous black-necked cranes. The cranes migrate from the high plains of the Tibetan plateau in winter to themilder climate of Phobjika. The short journey south from the main east-west artery is well worth the detour and over night at hotel Dragon Nest.
Phobjikha valley

Day 5:18/11/11
Early drive to phuentsholing and lunch will be served on the way. Visit Kharbandi Goenpa, Zangtopelri.
Overnight in Phuentsholing hotel lhaki.
I guess this is "Kharbandi Goenpa".

Day 6:19/11/11.
Depart by your tour escort. to india and if you need to arrange any things in india lets us know as we have all contacts in india too.