Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 1: Arrive into Paro International Airport.
During the journey, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jhomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representative from Bhutan Majestic Travel who will escort you to Hotel. Bhutan Majestic Travel uniquely do a Presentation on the overview of the biodiversity of Bhutan and the tour. Over night Hotel in Paro. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 2: Paro – Thimphu
Morning visit the National Museum, Paro Dzong and Kichu Monastry. After Lunch drive to Thimphu. The Drive would take 2Hours. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu – Thimphu
Sightseeing around Thimphu in the morning and in the afternoon, drive towards Dodena. Trek along Thimphu Chu inside Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha
Drive to Dochula pass. Dochula is home to 16 species of Bhutanese Rhododendrons. It also harbors different species of Primula, Lauraceae such as Litsea, Cinnamomum, Neolitsea etc., oaks, Virburnum, Magnolia, Daphne, Arisaema spp. Gentian, Himalayan Acer, and many others. Recently, on the pass of Dochula, 108 small chortens were erected which add beauty to the natural setting of the area. On fine days, we can see in the distant, clear views of mountain ranges bordering in the north. From the pass, we will trek downwards, 30-40 minutes following the old route to have better idea of natural forest and other biota. Overnight Hotel in Punakha. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 5: Punakha — Punakha
Drive to Tashithang, a part of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park, the largest park in Bhutan. Tashithang is situated in warm subtropical zones and vegetation is mainly of subtropical. Different epiphytic orchids such as Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Liparis, Pleione etc. as well as ground orchids such as Calanthe, Goodyera, Cephalanthera, etc. are found here. Wild Bananas (Musa) also thrives here. Tree species such as Engleherdia, Tauluma, Magnolia, Symploccus, Litsea, Cinnamomum, Rubus spp. Overnight Hotel in Punakha.
Day 6: Punakha — Gangtey Gomba
From Punakha, we will drive through warm valley of Wangdiphodrang towards Gantey Gonpa. On the way, we will drive through part of Pele La (commonly known as Black mountains) pass that separates western Bhutan from Eastern. During the drive, we will be able to see different species of Rhododendrons, Legumes, Magnolia, weeping Cypress (national tree of Bhutan), etc. Overnight Halt in Phobjikha Valley. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 7: Gangtey Gomba – Trongsa
From Gantey Gonpa, group will proceed to Trongsa valley. The drive will take through Pele La pass and one would be able to more species of Rhododendrons in shades of red, white, and yellow. After crossing the pass, we will be in bamboo thickets usually browse by Yak. The bamboo is Yushiana spp. that usually grows in higher altitute of Bhutan. We will be also passing through some of the spectacular villages. In olden days, Trongsa is home to Royal family and seat of power. The dzong at Trongsa is the biggest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight Hotel in Trongsa.
Day 8: Trongsa — Ura Village
From Trongsa, group will move towards Bumthang valley. The drive will be through another pass call Yoetongla. On the way several stops will be made to examine different species. The most commonly seen species will be few species of Rhododendrons, Rubus, Acer, Aconitum, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Clemantis, few species of orchid such as Coelogyne, Pleione, Cephalenthera, conifers such as fir, hemlock, Pine, Juniperus, Primulas, Androsac, etc. If time permits join the local people at the Ura monastery to witness the second day of annual festival this remote village. Overnight Camping at Ura Village. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 9: Ura — Bumthang
Early, we will drive to Thriumshing La National Park, established in 1998 covering Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhemgang, and Mongar districts. In 2001, Royal Government of Bhutan designated one of the areas close to the pass as insitu-Rhododendron garden. Thumshing La National Park is home to many endemic species viz. Daphne ludlowii, Lobelia nubigena, Vanda griffithii, Rubus sengorensis, and Pedicularis spp. It is also home to some of the fauna species such as Red Panda, reptiles, amphibians and one can watch different avian fauna. In the afternoon, we will drive back to Bumthang. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang.
Day 10: Bumthang — Wangdue
Drive back to Wangdue. During the return journey, we will be stopping in many places to see what have left out, for new blossom, reconfirmation etc. Overnight Hotel in Wangdue
Day 11: Wangdue — Thimphu
Hike to the Famous Devine Madman’s “Temple of Fertility”? or Chhimi Lhakhang, it is strongly believe that any couples who do not have childrens after long years of marriage go there and pray and in next month the woman gets pregnant. After Lunch drive to Thimphu. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 12: Thimphu – Haa
From Thimphu, we will drive to Ha valley. Ha valley was recently open for tourists. Situated in the temperate region among the Blue pine forest, Ha used to be very important district in ancient time as a gateway to western Bhutan. During the drive, we will be able to see different species of both flora and fauna. Trees such as Populus, Altingia, Hammelidaceae, Pine, Acer, and shrubs such as Leycesteria, Lonicera, Coriaria, Rubus. Cotoneaster, Philadelphus, Hydrangea, and many herbeceous species. Overnight Hotel in Haa.
Day 13: Haa – Paro
In the morning we will drive via Chele La Pass to Paro. Chele-la (ca 3800m; Long. 089° 21″ E, Lat. 27° 23″ N). Chele-la that connects Haa to Paro valleys has been one of the important routes in old day for any travelers that would visit Bhutan from Northwestern India. The visitors need to trek this route compulsorily. It has been mentioned repeatedly in most of the writings by British Political envoys such as George Boyle, J. C White as well as other botanists. The accounts of Ludlow and Sherriff, two naturalists who visited Bhutan seven times and collected a historic record of 21, 000 Bhutanese plants have crossed this pass during their visit in 1938. Chele-la harbors one of the most exciting sites for Bhutanese flora. Many species of Primulas, Rhododendron, Iris, Betula, Lilies (such as Notholirion, Lloydia and Fritillaria), Saxifraga, Bergenia, Aconitum, Pedicularis, Gentians, and others grows extensively and will make any visitor’s heart a delight. Overnight Hotel in Paro. Bhutan Blue Poppy Tour 14 Days
Day 14: Drive to Paro international Airport and your Guide and Drive would bid farewell and safe journey back home.