THE MAJESTIC MONARCHY TRAIL (12 Days)
Trace the historical route of Bhutan's 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk on a 3-day trek between his summer palace in Bumthang and his winter residence in Trongsa. In 1928 after the death of the first King, his successor built a new palace in Kuenga Rabten, Trongsa. With its warmer climate, the valley provided a welcome relief from the harsh winters in Wangdichholing Palace, Bumthang. The Royal Family and it's entourage moved in a majestic procession with hundreds of followers along this route through a picturesque landscape of rhododendron and oak forests, sun drenched terraced rice fields and snow capped mountains. Highlights include visits to ancient palaces and fortresses, remote villages, temples and other sacred monuments along the trekking route, as well as sites in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Trongsa and Bumthang.

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO, PARO-THIMPHU
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some of world's highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering through the valley below. As your plane prepares to land, the view of Paro town with Rimpong Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower) looming large upon a hill will be a fine sight. Our Bhutan Travel Bureau representative will meet you at Paro airport, and after completion of arrival formalities you will drive to Paro town where you can have tea or coffee followed by visit to Ta-dzong, the national museum and the Paro Rimpong dzong. After that drive back to the town for lunch and then proceed to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital which is about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Paro. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 02: THIMPHU
Enjoy sightseeing in Thimphu beginning with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the third King who passed away in the year 1972. Other highlights include the 12th Century Changangkha Temple, Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha nunnery, the School for Arts and Crafts where the students are taught to master the 13 types of Bhutanese art, the National Library housing a collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may also visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 03: THIMPHU-TRONGSA
Drive over the Dochu-La Pass (3,100m), which on a clear day offers incredible views of Himalayan peaks, then descend into the balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron & magnolia forests that grow to tree size and bloom in April/May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring color. Continue on to Trongsa across Pele-la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white Chorten and prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop en route at Chendibji Chorten, patterned on Katmandu's Swyambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at the four cardinal points. Chendibji Chorten was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet, to cover the remains of evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.

DAY 04 : TRONGSA - KUENGA RABTEN
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Trongsa is the largest Dzong in Bhutan and the location of where the institution of monarchy in Bhutan began. The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th Century and there are now 22 temples in the complex. The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see across the impressive landscape for many miles. In the old days, it was the vigilance point for both the eastern and western trade routes, thus a strategically important Dzong. Also visit the imposing Ta Dzong located on the hill overlooking the Trongsa Dzong. It is currently being renovated into a National Museum.

After lunch drive about one hour southward to Kuenga Rabten Palace passing Takse Goemba and a large expanse of rice terraces in the lower Mangdechu valley. C onstructed in 1928, Kuenga Rabten Palace is the former winter residence of the second king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Located on a slope overlooking the mighty Mangdue River, Kuenga Rabten is surrounded by stone walls with spy-holes. A gallery runs around the courtyard on all four sides. The three-storey central tower ( utse) features finely decorated woodwork, as well as two Lhakhangs (temples). Sangye Lhakhang contains images of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Twenty-one Aspects of Tara, whilst Kangyur Lhakhang houses part of the National Library of Bhutan, to which the Palace is presently affiliated. After visiting the palace explore the villages nearby. There is an ideal camping ground at the back of the palace overlooking the valley and Mangdue River. Overnight in the camp at Kuenga Rabten.

DAY 05 : KUENGA RABTEN - ZANGRONGPANG
(1 st day of the trek: 4-5 hours)
Although not long, the first day of the trek is a strenuous ascent all the way up to the campsite. The trail passes through the sparsely populated village of Samchiling before reaching meadows and pasturelands used for the cow herds. From here, the vegetation becomes thicker through forests of oaks and rhododendrons until reaching the camp at Zangrongpang facing the imposing Black Mountain range. In the old days, it was here where the royal entourage halted for the first night of their three day trip to Bumthang. The stopover for the second night used to be at Zangrongpang as well when the court moved from the other direction and it was here where the nyerchen (store-master) of Kuenga Rabten Palace had to come with a big reception party to welcome the entourage. Overnight in the camp at Zangrongpang (2200m).

DAY 06 : ZANGRONGPANG - TONGLE LA
(2 nd day of the trek: 6-7 hours)
This morning begins with a steep short climb on to the ridge straight above our camp affording incredible views of Kuenga Rabten and the vast area of sun-drenched terraced rice fields surrounding it. From here the path is reasonably flat but quite narrow over the edge of the precipice. After this long stretch the trail continues along a ridge which gradually ascends through forests of bamboo, spruce, hemlock, rhododendron, birch and fir before reaching Tongle La Pass, marked with a chorten (stupa). There is a long stretch of beautiful meadows running along the ridge that divides Trongsa and the Bumthang valley, and the view of great snowcapped mountains and the valleys far below is superb. After reaching the campsite, a return trip to the pass is recommended to view a magnificent sunrise or sunset over the Black Mountains. Overnight in the camp at Tongle La (3950m)

DAY 07 : TONGLE LA - JAKAR
(3 rd day of the trek: 3 hours)
The trek today is an easy 3 hr downhill walk to the roadside in the first valley of Bumthang known as Chumey. From there it's a little over 1 hr drive passing over Kikila pass at 2900m to the main township of the Bumthang Valley, Jakar. The path is much wider from here as it is being used by the herds of yaks and the cows from Bumthang, and it goes through a lovely forest of firs occasionally passing through patches of meadows. Overnight hotel in Bumthang

DAY 08: BUMTHANG
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Highlights include Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan's patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and 7th Century Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa and containing interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Pemalingpa's heavy coat of nails is kept in the Vestibule and people are permitted to try it on. It is said that if they can walk around the inner sanctuary three times while wearing it, some of their sins will be forgiven. Also visit Jaker Dzong (Dzong of the white Bird) and 7th Century Jambay Lhakhang, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 09: BUMTHANG - PUNAKHA
After breakfast, depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan stopping along the way at Trongsa for lunch. Evening at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

DAY 10: PUNAKHA/WANGDUEPHODRANG - THIMPHU - PARO
After breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang to explore this bustling market town and visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Built in 1639 the strategically located Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. Return to Punakha to enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it's not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing.

Commence the drive back to Paro, stopping in Thimphu on the way where you will have an opportunity to visit Semtokha Dzong en route. The Dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 11: PARO
Enjoy a morning hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments before returning to Paro for lunch. In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17 th Century Drukgyel Dzong, a historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backp. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu is built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa. Inside there is a great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 12: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

Tashi Delek!

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