Kolkata and the Kingdom of Bhutan

Arrive at Kolkata International Airport. And transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Discover the amazing Bengali metropolis, seat of the Indian Empire until 1812, the former hub of trade tea and opium. Become intellectual capital, Kolkata is looking to the future. Day dedicated to the city tour starting with the British Raj, the headquarters of the British administration. The Victoria Memorial houses a collection of artifacts from the Victorian era and also deals with the history of Bengal. A stroll through the esplanade of BBD Bagh and Fort William, the Writers Building, Town Hall, the Maidan, former imperial parade field. Visit St Paul’s Cathedral in the Gothic style with stained glass windows are renowned. Then visit the temple of Kalighat, goddess of destruction and evil. The Botanical Garden is also worth visiting, this is where tea grown today in Assam and Darjeeling was developed first. Under the Howrah Bridge is the picturesque flower market with its stalls covered with colorful garlands for the offerings in the temples. Continue to the neighborhood Kumartuli, where potters specialize in the manufacture of large statues of deities, mainly goddess Durga. Finally, located in the district of Badha Bazaar, Spice Market is a curiosity in which to stroll. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Paro, the second largest city of Bhutan. Visit the National Museum, housed in the former Ta Dzong, ie the Watchtower, which in itself has an excellent summary of the Tibetan culture. Then along a hillside trail ride to Rimpong Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. It has remarkable paintings illustrating the legendary cycles of Buddhism. Overnight at hotel.

Ascension by a steep path up to the assault of the cliff where clings, defying the vacuum, the Monastery of Taksang dubbed the Lair of the Tiger. Perched at 2 800m above sea level, this is one of the most revered shrines in the Himalayan world. It is possible to play a game of Wasps (payable locally) but the descent is not done on foot. Back in the Paro valley and on the way visit the monastery Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in the country reflecting the introduction of Buddhism. Overnight at hotel.

Drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, before arriving, stop at Kuensel Phodrang, the “Buddha Point” overlooking the valley where the country’s largest statue of Buddha is located. A Thimphu, visit the mini Takin zoo, which houses the National eponymous animal, exclusively present in Bhutan. The animal, cow body and goat’s head, a goat bovine of 350 kg would look more like a gnu. Then walk in Norzim Lam, the main street lined with craft shops. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, visit the National Textile Museum where is preserved a collection of antique fabrics, rich colors and original and varied reasons. Then visit the Folk Heritage Museum which recreates traditional rural life and habitat. Then the Traditional Arts school where young people learn the ancient craft techniques to protect and bequeath the country’s cultural heritage for future generations. The National Library, rich in a large collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts is also worth visiting. Visit the Memorial Chorten with beautiful paintings and Tashichhoe Dzong, quadrilateral impressive fortress that houses the splendid administrative buildings of the kingdom. Overnight at hotel. 

After breakfast, drive to the Punakha valley via the Dochu-the neck at 3100 meters altitude. In good weather, the view of the mountains is spectacular. The former capital of Bhutan from 1637 to 1907, has a remarkable civil architecture of finesse, sobriety and elegance. Visit the dzong built in 1637 to serve as administrative and religious headquarters in the region. It is also the winter home of the spiritual leader of Bhutan. Inside, the magnificent coronation room of all the kings of Bhutan. Then climb to the Temple of Fertility deemed to fulfill the wishes of the couples who come to pray. This 15th century temple is situated on a hill and is surrounded by fields. Overnight at hotel.

Steering central Bhutan to get to Gangtey. This region rarely visited, is characterized by many ethnicities, clean flora in the region and a different architecture of Western Bhutan. Stop in Wangdue Phodrang to visit the dzong in this charming village that crowns a rocky outcrop. Continue to the National Park of the Black Mountains snowcapped which blanks are covered with thick forests. Then, the road runs through the beautiful Phobjika Valley where the landscape changes and offers a wide and unobstructed view. A Gangtey visit the beautiful monastery founded in 1613, one of the few to teach Nyingma, an ancient Buddhist tradition of Tibetan origin. The surrounding village is inhabited by the families of the descendants of the 140 lay monks who came here in the 17th century. In this valley, hundreds of black-necked cranes come to hibernate from October to escape the wintry weather Tibetan highland. These endemic birds can live up to 5000 meters. There is an information center on cranes. Overnight at hotel.

Drive to Trongsa, the former seat of power in central and eastern Bhutan. This is one of the most beautiful trips through the beautiful forests of oak and rhododendron. The landscape is dotted with stupas, prayer wheels, floating flags flying, yak herds and herders, small villages. After crossing the Pele-la pass at 3350 meters, the road descends to Trongsa dzong and impressive against the mountains and overlooking the entire city. Visit the monastery, built in the 17th century, the largest and most strategic country in which 200 resident monks. Then visit the City Museum, a former monastery, which houses nearly 250 objects from the Wangchuck dynasty which a famous crown, supposed to protect the king in battle. Then head Jakar, capital of the Bumthang region, one of the most spectacular valleys and heart of Buddhism, taking the Yutong-la pass at 3400 meters and stop in the village of Zugne, famous for its weaving wool in bright colors. Overnight at hotel. 

Bumthang, located at 2500 meters is divided into four valleys Chumey, Choekor, Tang and Ura. Jakar Dzong visit to the imposing 17th century monastery, the “White Bird”, which lies about sixty monks and where the district administration office. Then the Wangdichholing Palace, summer residence of the first kings. Even if the building is abandoned, the paintings are still beautiful with great detail. Then Jambay Lhakhang monastery, built in the 7th century and considered one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Continuation to that of Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred of the country. In the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche came for the first time in Bhutan and he converted the king and the people, to Buddhism. You can see the cave where he meditated and where he left the mark of his body; Kurjey mean body imprint. Going down to the town, visit Tamshing Lhakhang monastery which houses magnificent paintings, the oldest in the country. Overnight at hotel. 

Route to return to the Punakha Valley via the Col de Pele it again. Overnight at hotel.  

The Punakha Valley is conducive to lovely walks. Under its mild subtropical climate coconut trees, rice fields, banana and orange trees grow in abundance. By small paths, one can go on foot to discover rarely visited temples and picturesque villages. Direction village Lobesa to discover a traditional farm of Bhutan. A walk in the village gives a glimpse into the daily life and activities of the villagers. Bhutanese farms are very colorful, very decorative and traditional construction, ie without using a single nail. The lifestyle has changed little over the centuries. Back to Punakha. Overnight at hotel.   

Drive to Paro and free time for the past walks. Overnight at hotel. 

Transfer to Paro airport and flight to Kolkata.