The flight into the Himalayas offers breathtaking views of the major peaks Mt. Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Mt. Ganesh (7,422 m), Mt. Purbi Chhyachu (6,637 m), Mt. Langtang (7,227 m), etc. (weather permitting), taking you directly into the Himalayan capital of Kathmandu. After immigration formality on arrival, as you exit the airport terminal you will be greeted and welcome by a Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your hotel,
Visit Kathmandu Durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital in the open-air museum filled with the temples, courtyards and palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. Other impressive sights include a giant statue of Kal Bhairab, the God of Destruction, stunning Shiva-Parvati temples, Taleju, and the Kumari Palace, where the Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her window.
Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is probably the most sacred ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, ancient carvings, the smell of incense and butter lamps, the mystical atmosphere is heightened by devotees who make a ritual circumambulation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. This famous stupa is surrounded by typical houses of priests, Chaityas and monasteries.
We will visit the Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage Site), the city of fine arts & craft in metal, stone, terracotta, officially known as Lalitpur Metropolitan City and one of the largest cities of Nepal, it is famous for its rich cultural heritage, where you will see in its ancient palace with golden gate and window, temples of Krishna, Shiva, Golden temple (Hiranya Barna Mahabihar) as well as monasteries & beautiful courtyard.
(Optional: Early morning you could take an optional Mount Everest flight tour – The Highest Mountain on Earth).
Bhaktapur, UNESCO World Heritage site & the medieval capital city, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries, an exemplary of exquisite woodworks in the Palace of 55 windows with its golden gate, the beautiful Dattatreya, Nyatapola with Bhairab Temple and ceramics Square,
Pashupatinath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", the sacred Hindu Shiva temple, it serves as the seat of the national deity, this "extensive Hindu temple ground" offers an "extensive collection of temples, ashrams, sculptures” etc. for centuries along the banks of the sacred river Bagamati, considered Varanasi for Hindus, where we could witness their final rituals of cremation.
Boudhanath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", its massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical Stupa in the world, where many Tibetan refugees residing since 1960, in its premises have built more than 50 Buddhist monasteries. The Stupa is said to have buried the remains of Kassyapa Buddha.
Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Bhutan, on arrival you will receive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) and then transfer to Thimphu, drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to the capital of Bhutan – Thimphu.
In the afternoon visit the famous King's memorial Chorten built in the memory of Lt. His Majesty the King by Royal Queen Mother, where one could see the devotion of the local layman spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras, while circumambulating the Chorten, visit Tashichodzong, situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly and the summer residence of capital's venerated monastic community. The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
After early breakfast we will drive to Bumthang stopping at Dochula pass to take photo if the weather is fine, we can see beautiful eastern Himalaya. We will than drive towards Bumthang enjoying the beautiful landscapes. We will visit the Trongsa, which means "new village" in Dzongkha. The first temple was built in 1543 by the Drukpa lama Ngagi Wangchuck, who was the great-grandfather of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal the unifier of Bhutan. Then we will continue drive to Bumthang for overnight.
The region encompasses four major valleys: Choskhor, Tang, Ura, and Chhume. The Dzong and the most important temples are in the large Choskhor valley, commonly referred to as Bumthang valley. There are two versions of the origin of the name Bumthang. The valley is supposed to be shaped like a Bumpa, a vessel that contains holy water, and Thang meaning ‘field’ or ‘flat place.’ The religious connotation of the name aptly applies to the sacred character of the region. The less respectful translation relates to the particularly beautiful women who live here – bum means girl. It would be difficult to find so many important temples and monasteries in such a small area anywhere else in Bhutan.
Visit: Jakar Dzong was built-in 1667, overlooking the Choskhor Valley. It is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan, its official name is Yuelay Namgyal Dzong, in honor of the victory over the troops of Tibetan ruler Phuntsho Namgyal.
Kurjey Lhakhang is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings that make up the temple complex. The first temple is the oldest and was built in 1652 by Mingyur Tenpa, the second temple was built by Ugyen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan in 1900. The third building in the complex is an elaborate three-story Lhakhang built by Ashi Kesang Wangchuck, in 1984 under the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche.
Tamshing Gompa was built-in 1501 by Pema Lingpa (also known as Tamshing Lhendup Tsholing, literally 'Temple of the good message’) and is the most important Nyingma-pa Gompa in the kingdom.
A short distance below Tamshing is a small rural-looking town Konchogsum Lhakhang – the source of many interesting stories. The history of this temple dates back to the 6th century, however, the current structure dates from the 15th century,
After breakfast drive to Gangtey village, located in the central Bhutan overlooking the vast U-shaped glacial Phobjikha Valley of marshy land. The Nake Chu River runs through this valley. Above the Black Mountain Region is inhabited by nomadic shepherds and yak-herders.
On the way we will stop at Chumey weaving center where you can get how Athra is a colorful wool weaving, a pattern native of central Bhutan with deep colors. In the village of Zugney in Chumey Valley, there are shops, where people can see the weavers –at work. People may be able to see the dying using natural dyes and other processes. Then we will drive to Gangteng having Lunch on the way.
We visit an important Gangtey monastery or Gangtey Gompa, the monastery's history traces back to early 17th century to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa, which is one of the main seats of the Pema Lingpa tradition and one of the two main centers of the Nyingma-pa school of Buddhism in the country.
The Phobjikha Valley, is the place here the black-necked cranes visit to roost from Tibet.
After breakfast we will drive to Thimphu, on the way we visit Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha town, 1,242 m (4,075 ft), an important Buddhist monastery/ temple in Punakha, Bhutan. It stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499
by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick
saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a Chorten on the site.
He was known as the "Mad Saint" or “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre, shocking and with sexual overtones. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners of the eves. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a wooden phallus (a symbols of a male organ) by which in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.
Then we will drive to Thimphu having lunch on the way.
After reaching Thimphu we will visit Buddha Dordena: is a gigantic Sakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singe Wangchuck built in 2005 and completed only in 2015. Its 52-meter-high and we can see 125000 small Buddha statues.
Drive to Taktsang Monastery base point, we hike to Taktsang Palphug Monastery (known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent most sacred site located in the Cliffside of the upper Paro valley. Built in 1692, the Taktsang cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for more than three years in the 8th century.
Padma Sambhava is credited for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country where most people visit in their lifetime.
On the way back, visit Drugyel Dzong, the Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mount Chomolhari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft.). Visit Kyichhu Lhakhang / Jowo Temple of Kyichhu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the four (4) border taming temples he built. Ever since then the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, Palchen Heruka, and Vajrakilaya have been held in this temple for the wellbeing of the country under the patronage of Kesang Choden Wangchuck.
You can also experience hot-stone bath at farm house
Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Kathmandu, on arrival you will be greeted and welcome by Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your Hotel, Rest of the day for personal activities, you can explore the narrow lively and endless streets of Thamel where you will find all kinds of good restaurants, full of typical Nepali handicraft, fine jewelry and clothing and trekking gear store. Overnight in the hotel.
Leisurely breakfast, in the morning free for personal activities, later at the arranged time transfer to the airport for final departure to connect onward flight. We wish you a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future.
End of Service.