Monasteries and Passes- Bhutan

We will take a drive up the valley towards the north along Thim Chhu (river) for a short hike to Cheri Monastery. The short drive through the countryside surrounding Thimphu brings us to the Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest protected area in the country. The park is home to several endangered species including the Takin, Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Tiger, Red Panda, and the Himalayan Black Bear. More than 300 species of birds have been catalogued within the park and it’s so rich in plants.

Our walk begins from the small village of Dodena as we go across the covered bridge over the Thim Chhu to climb up steadily to Cheri, a small monastery perched on the hill with a view over the Thimphu Valley. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built this monastery in 1620, and this is where the first community of monks in Bhutan was established, we descend back the way we came, keeping our eyes open for the goral (wild goat) that are often spotted on the cliffs nearby. We will have picnic lunch along the clean and unpolluted Thim Chhu.

In the afternoon, you can have free time on your own to walk along the street to see the people and the local stores. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square clad in traditional dress and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

The drive begins with an ascent to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3150m/10,332 ft. On a clear day, you can see the whole range of Bhutanese Himalayas from here. The pass is marked by 108 chortens (Stupa) which are Buddhist reliquaries, memorials to the teachings of the Buddha. Sometimes actual relics of the Buddha or revered monks are inserted into the dome of the stupa, but whether or not there are relics inside, the stupas mark the landscape with reminders of the Buddha’s teachings. We will hike up to the isolated temple called Lungchuzay which dates back to 14th century. The trail gradually goes up through the forest of rhododendrons, magnolias, birches, firs, hemlocks and bamboos, occasionally passing by meadows that are being used as the yak pastures. Overnight stay at hotel in Punakha.

Drive to Wangdue Phodrang and visit the Dzong which is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. The position of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view both up and down the valley. Wangdue district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and the slate which is mined up the valley a few kilometers from the town. Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley, surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Gantey.

We take a drive till Longtey Village after the Pele La along the east-west highway to start another hike of about 06 hours across Kayche La (3700m/12,140 ft) and back to Gantey. We climb up gradually through the thickets of dwarf bamboos, birch, rhododendron, hemlock and fir to Kayche La, marked with some prayer flags. The other side of the pass is mostly meadows, and it’s all downhill walk to Gantey through the long and beautiful stretch of meadows and farms. This place holds a special interest as you can experience the Black Mountain Range and the Phobjika Valley which is famous for the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Overnight stay at guesthouse in Gantey.

After breakfast depart for Paro. Lunch Enroute. On the way visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress built in 1629 AD. The Dzong now is a Buddhist college for the monks. Upon arrival, check into a hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.

Today we hike up to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro valley. Legend has it that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. The path up is steep and the first sight of the monastery just takes your breath away. The stunning location of the monastery as it clings to a sheer cliff is reward enough. But we walk up further and climb to the temples that are on top of the ridges further up. It’s so peaceful on top and the views are stunning. A perfect place of contemplation! Here you will come across some monks who have not gone down to town for ages. There is one elderly monk in particular who had been living here for 25 years in solitude. To come back, we follow a different path that takes us through the pristine thick forest of oaks and rhododendrons festooned with Spanish mosses. Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.

Today, we will take a drive to Chele La (3750m/12,304 ft), the highest motor able pass in the country and hike up along the meadow to Kung Karpo La (4100m). Weather permitting; we will enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow capped mountains while walking above the tree line along the ridge that divides Paro and Ha valley. The short steep descent from the top will take us to the nunnery of Kila Gompa. Here the nuns, called anims, live a life of contemplation and seclusion, with daily prayer and spiritual practice. The temple itself is surrounded by numerous meditation huts, and many hidden caves lie inside the rocky cliffs. The gompa is surrounded by a lush forest dominated by tall firs. Sparkling mountain streams wind down the slopes, which are covered with a variety of wildflowers and plants. About 30 nuns, live here, ranging in age from about 20 to 80 years. The community is one of the oldest of seven nunneries in Bhutan, and was initially established in the early 9th century as a meditation site. After being destroyed by fire, the temple was rebuilt and officially established in 1986 as an anim dratshang (religious community of Buddhist nuns). The walk down from here to the road is lined with small white chortens (stupas) and it will take us about an hour. Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.

We leave the charming city of Paro and get a drop at the airport for final departure.